GERD Awareness
Monday, November 30th, 2020
November is GERD Awareness Month! What is GERD? GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition that occurs when the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. The lower part of the esophagus is surrounded by a circular band of muscle. This is what we call the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When we swallow, the […]
Read More »Diabetes is a Risk Factor for Every Disease
Wednesday, November 25th, 2020
Diabetes is a known risk factor for many of the diseases our Premier Surgical Associates physicians in Knoxville and Cleveland treat. Diabetes also contributes to many vascular conditions, including retinopathy and nephropathy. What is diabetes and who gets it? Diabetes refers to a group of diseases that result from having too much sugar or glucose […]
Read More »Healthy Skin Month!
Tuesday, November 24th, 2020
November is National Healthy Skin Month! The skin is the largest organ of the body, so it’s very important to take good care of it. The physicians of Premier Surgical in Knoxville and Cleveland, TN, want to remind you that one of the simplest yet one of the most important things to take good care […]
Read More »Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
Saturday, November 21st, 2020
According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer accounts for three percent of cancer cases in the United States and seven percent of cancer deaths. What is pancreatic cancer? Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the pancreas. The pancreas is a long flattened gland located deep in the abdomen. This gland […]
Read More »Hemorrhoid Awareness Month
Monday, November 16th, 2020
Hemorrhoids are common. In fact, about 1 in 20 Americans have them. And almost half of adults age 50 and older have them. Causes of Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids can be brought about by several things. This includes repeated straining (either through constipation or diarrhea) during bowel movements, pregnancy, and obesity. All of these cause an increase […]
Read More »Quit Smoking Before Surgery
Thursday, November 12th, 2020
If a smoker is scheduled for surgery, many surgeons have one common request – quit smoking. How does smoking affect people having surgery? Research shows that compared to nonsmokers, smokers are at higher risk of surgery-related complications, which include heart attack, stroke, shock, and even death. Smokers are also more prone to infection. Smoking can […]
Read More »We Treat All Kinds of Hernias from Simple to Complex
Saturday, November 7th, 2020
Hernias are very common and can affect anyone. What’s a hernia? A hernia is a medical condition that occurs when an organ or fatty tissue pushes through its surrounding muscle or tissue. One could develop it as a result of muscle weakness, heavy lifting, persistent coughing or sneezing, obesity, and diarrhea or constipation. How do […]
Read More »Family Matters: Double Mastectomy Puts Patient at Ease
Thursday, November 5th, 2020
After her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, healthcare professional Velvet Giddens sought genetic testing for the breast cancer gene mutation known as BRCA. When the test came back positive, indicating a high risk of developing cancer herself, she underwent a preventive mastectomy, or surgical removal of both breasts. “It’s a double-edged sword when you become the […]
Read More »Is Genetic Testing Right for Me?
Wednesday, November 4th, 2020
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer death rates decreased steadily from 1989 to 2015 because of improved treatments and early detection by mammography. In 2015, relative survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer were 91 percent at five years after diagnosis, 86 percent after 10 years, and 80 percent after 15 years. […]
Read More »Meet the Newest Member of the Vascular Surgery Team, Dr. Stephen Tonks
Saturday, October 31st, 2020
Peripheral artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and blockages in the arteries and veins are just some of the conditions our vascular surgeons treat at Premier Surgical Associates of Knoxville. We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Stephen Tonks to our vascular surgery team. Let’s get to know him more. Growing up in rural Alabama, Stephen […]
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