Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital now has a new clinic on its campus.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The first-of-its-kind clinic integrates the Orlando Health Colon and Rectal Institute and the Orlando Health Women\u2019s Institute Center for Urogynecology to target pelvic health disorders. It is located at 7350 Sand Lake Commons Blvd., Suite 2225 in Medplex B, Orlando.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people silently struggle with functional problems related to going to the restroom \u2014 difficulty, discomfort, embarrassment \u2014 and they never seek help because it feels like a taboo subject,\u201d said Dr. Antonio Caycedo, chief of colorectal surgery and medical director at Orlando Health Colon and Rectal Institute. \u201cThese are incredibly common problems, and the important message is that you do not have to live with them. This clinic was built precisely to help you, and we are here without judgment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Orlando Health, one in four women older than 20 has at least one pelvic floor disorder, which makes this clinic the perfect place to stop by and get checked \u2014 whether by a urogynecologist, colorectal doctor or both.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pelvic floor is made up of many things, including but not limited to the bladder, vagina, reproductive organs, bowel, muscles, nerves, ligaments,\u201d urogynecologist Dr. Samantha Margulies said. \u201cInstead of siloing each organ, a combined clinic offering urogyn and colorectal (services) helps to diagnose and treat conditions that could be affecting more than one part of the pelvis.\u201d<\/p>\n
For example, Margulies said pelvic floor muscle dysfunction can affect both the bladder and bowel. Having a clinic with a multidisciplinary approach makes it easier for patients to seek the necessary care and prevents them from needing to schedule separate surgeries, undergo anesthesia twice and relieve some stress that comes with it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In addition to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, the Orlando Health Colon and Rectal Institute and the Orlando Health Women\u2019s Institute Center for Urogynecology treat several other disorders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Margulies\u2019 expertise also includes urinary incontinence, recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary retention, vaginal cysts, vaginal reconstructive surgeries, urodynamics and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMany patients are too embarrassed to bring up these symptoms to their providers, and those that do bring up these symptoms many times are told these conditions are normal and (aren\u2019t) offered treatment,\u201d she said. \u201cWhile these diagnoses are common, that does not mean that they are normal and does not mean women need to live like this. The toll these conditions take on someone\u2019s quality of life is outstanding.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
To decrease risk of pelvic floor dysfunction, Margulies recommends pelvic floor physical therapy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are physical therapists with a specific training in the pelvic floor,\u201d she said. \u201cThey are incredible, and I can\u2019t recommend them enough. I am thankful that I have joined a health care system that shares this sentiment and has many fabulous pelvic floor physical therapists.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
On the colorectal side, Caycedo said the clinic treats colorectal and anal cancers, precancerous polyps, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, fistulas, diverticular disease, fecal incontinence, chronic constipation and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat truly sets us apart is our focused expertise in functional and complex conditions (such as) pelvic floor disorders, fecal incontinence, chronic constipation, and dysmotility\u2014areas that are often underserved,\u201d Caycedo said. \u201cWe work in close collaboration with urogynecology, and we also house a specialized High Resolution Anoscopy Program, which is quite unique in this region. There is really nothing else quite like this clinic in Orlando.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
To avoid colorectal issues, Caycedo said it starts with maintaining a healthy diet and staying active.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beyond that, he recommends early screenings or getting a colonoscopy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know many people feel it is too invasive, but I always remind my patients that it is far more invasive to deal with cancer,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd please, do not ignore warning signs: rectal bleeding, a sudden change in bowel habits, constipation lasting several weeks, unexplained weight loss, or anemia are all reasons to speak with a doctor and ask about a colonoscopy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since the clinic\u2019s opening, there have been many success stories, Caycedo and Margulies said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we perform surgery for colorectal cancer, we are in many cases saving a life right there in that operating room, and when we perform a colonoscopy and remove a precancerous polyp, we are preventing cancer before it even begins,\u201d Caycedo said. \u201cThat is the extraordinary privilege of this work, and I share it with a truly exceptional group of surgeons and colleagues.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Margulies also feels privileged to work alongside surgeons and colleagues who have a passion for urogynecology and colorectal services.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI see success stories every day in clinic,\u201d she said. \u201cThis ranges from finally eliminating the recurrent urinary tract infections, relieving symptoms of a vaginal bulge, decreasing number of pads used for incontinence. \u2026 Imagine a woman using five adult diapers per day because of urinary leakage. This is not an uncommon story I hear.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Margulies said diapers can put a financial burden on the woman or a family, cause vulvar skin irritation or embarrassment and even is associated with increased nursing home admission.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWith different treatment options, we often can significantly reduce the number of diapers or pads a patient needs, significantly improving her health and quality of life,\u201d she said. \u201cHearing that a patient was able to attend their grandson\u2019s piano recital without mapping out every bathroom location in the building, being able to ace a pickleball match without leaking, being able to dance at their daughter\u2019s wedding without feeling a bulge or pressure in their vagina, going on a cruise without antibiotics for fear of a UTI \u2014 it\u2019s so great.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Both doctors are excited to be working at a clinic offering such critical services to the Southwest and West Orange communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not wait for a problem to become serious before you seek help,\u201d Caycedo said. \u201cWhether it is a screening colonoscopy, a concern you have been putting off or a functional issue you have been quietly living with, we are here, we are ready and we genuinely care about helping you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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