Everyone knows that
colonoscopies are a
tool to detect colorectal
cancer. According to
Elliott Borinsky, MD,
a gastroenterologist
at Cleveland Clinic
South Pointe Hospital,
colonoscopy is known
as the gold standard – the best, most accurate
test to screen for colorectal cancer. Since most
cancers start as polyps, cancer can be prevented
when polyps are removed during a colonoscopy.
It is recommended that adults have their first
colonoscopy at age 45.
New preps are easier to swallow.
You may be concerned about unpleasantness
and inconvenience as you prepare for the exam.
But it’s time to stop worrying – the prep process
is much easier these days. It tastes better, you
don’t have to take as much as you did before,
and the timing has also changed to make it
easier for patients.
Concerned about coronavirus?
While the coronavirus is still in our communities
and is still contagious, Cleveland Clinic is among
the safest places in healthcare today.
For your safety and those around you, we have
taken the following steps:
• Limited and screened visitors.
• Continued extensive cleaning.
• Required masks for our caregivers.
Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital
is, once again, a top-ranked hospital
in Ohio.
2021-22 U.S. News & World Report FOR EVERY
HAPPY ClevelandClinic.org/Rankings
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& HEALTHY LIFE
We ask that you help us maintain a safe
environment by:
• Practicing social and physical distancing.
• Wearing a mask while in our facilities.
• Washing and sanitizing your hands properly.
As we welcome all patients back for regular,
routine care, we will continue making your
safety a top concern.
Learn more about the steps we’re taking
to keep you safe at ClevelandClinic.org/
Coronavirus. To schedule an appointment
at one of our screening locations near you,
call 216.444.7000. For more information
and a complete list of locations, visit
ClevelandClinic.org/Colonoscopy.
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Colorectal cancer
screening: No good
reason to put it off.
Do you have seasonal allergies? Try these tips to cope with hay fever.
Nice weather and
sunshine sounds like a
recipe for – disaster? That
can be the case if you
have seasonal allergies.
During the warm months
in Northeast Ohio, trees,
grasses and weeds bloom
and flourish.
When plant pollen is inhaled, histamine is
released in the body triggering allergic rhinitis
– or hay fever. Itchy eyes, a scratchy throat or a
runny nose are all signs of hay fever season.
“When pollen invades your body, your immune
system releases histamines as a form of
defense,” explains Gregory Watts, MD, an
allergy and immunology specialist at Cleveland
Clinic Hillcrest Hospital.
Dr. Watts offers these top three tips to curb
allergy symptoms:
1. Rinse and repeat. Irrigate your nasal
passages with saline solution to rinse out
allergens and relieve congestion.
2. Keep your windows closed. “Avoid fans if
possible; they tend to stir up dust. Set your
car air conditioning to recirculate air when
you’re driving alone,” advises Dr. Watts.
3. Take a shower. Shower after outdoor
activities to wash off pollen that may have
accumulated.
If these simple tips don’t seem to control
hay fever symptoms, an allergy test may be
beneficial. An allergist can guide you to the
proper over-the-counter medication or prescribe
something to clear up symptoms. Additionally,
some allergy suffers may develop asthma.
“When the weather is nice, people want to be
able to enjoy the outdoors. If your allergies act
up during hay fever season – or any other time
of year – an allergist can help craft a medical
plan to help keep them under control,” says
Dr. Watts.
To make an appointment with Dr. Watts
or another Cleveland Clinic allergy and
immunology specialist, call 216.444.6503.
Elliott Borinsky, MD
Cleveland Clinic
South Pointe Hospital
Gregory Watts, MD
Cleveland Clinic
Hillcrest Hospital
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/coronavirus
/Colonoscopy
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