Author Archives: Kyle Thompson

Dr. Downs Missionary Trip

On November 8, 2014, Dr. J. Marcus Downs and his wife, Carol Lee, headed to Ecuador to participate in a medical mission trip with Medical Ministry International—the ninth time they have done so. Carol Lee is a physical therapist, and Dr. Downs is a Colorectal Surgeon. They began their service in Ecuador twelve years ago, and most of their trips have included their children, Colleen and Brian. However, this year’s trip was special, since Colleen graduated from medical school in 2013 and was having her first mission medicine experience as a physician.

Dallas Surgeon First to Complete SentiMag® Procedure in the US

A new technology for use during cancer staging in the sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure is currently under trial in the United States. North Central Surgical Center’s Dr. Peter Beitsch, a privately practicing Dallas oncology surgeon who specializes in treating skin and breast cancer, completed the first procedure using this new technology in the US.

Eat these five foods to keep your colon healthy

The colon (otherwise known as the large intestine) is not only a key component of the digestive system—it plays a vital role in overall health, as well. Its main function is the removal of salt, water and toxins from indigestible food, keeping them out of the bloodstream where they can be harmful. The colon also helps the body eliminate solid food waste.

Simple Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Taking care of your heart is perhaps the most important thing you can do in order to live a longer, healthier life. If you have already been diagnosed with hypertension or high cholesterol—two significant risk factors for heart disease and stroke—it’s even more important to pay attention to your heart’s well-being. By taking a few positive steps and sticking to them, you can keep your heart pumping strong. Here are a few tips as recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) to help keep your heart healthy.

Neck Pain: Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Though less common than back pain, neck pain affects an estimated 45 percent of adults in the U.S. There are different classifications and causes of neck pain, and in some cases, neck pain can be preventable. Neck pain is generally classified as either acute pain or chronic pain.

Bunions: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Do you have a swollen, painful bump on the outside of your big toe? If so, you may have a bunion. A bunion is a common deformity of the foot most often seen in women.

Q&A with Dr. Sarah Boostrom, Colorectal Surgery Specialist

As the founder of Colon and Rectal Surgical Consultants of North Texas, Dr. Sarah Boostrom is committed to providing high-quality, minimally invasive colorectal care to her surgical patients. She earned her medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center, and she completed both her general surgery residency and her fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, MN before moving home to Dallas, TX.

The Truth About Shin Splints

Shin splints are a painful, exercise-related problem. Shin splints are defined as pain along the front and inner part of the leg—the shinbone (tibia). They are common among people who are physically active, particularly runners and dancers.

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

The term “colorectal cancer” encompasses any cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Though they are two separate cancers, colon and rectal cancer are very similar, and therefore they are often discussed together under the term “colorectal cancer.” Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in both men and women in the U.S. About one in 20 people will develop colorectal cancer in his or her lifetime.

Natural healing: What you need to know about herbal supplements

People have used herbs for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. There are herbal supplements to battle a variety of ailments, from fighting colds to improving memory to lowering cholesterol.

Herbal supplements, also called botanicals, are made from plants. Though they are natural, some herbal supplements can be strong and may have some risks, so be sure to talk to your physician about any herbal supplements before you begin taking them.