Page 18 - The Jewish Voice - December '23

Page 18, The Jewish Voice

Lifestyles from page 17 goal is to provide the most up-to-date and comprehensive liver transplantation. She treats patients with colon, liver,
information to our patients, and to give them the greatest and bile duct cancer; gallbladder disease; alcohol-related
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver level of comfort and reassurance.” and nonalcohol-related liver disease; drug-related liver

Dr. Olsen brings more than a decade of experience
injury; and all forms of hepatitis.
Disease: The Silent Threat in providing world-class digestive and liver care, and A doctor’s order is needed for the screening, and
specializes in liver disease and disorders, including patients with high risk factors are encouraged to contact
New Guidelines Advise those related to NAFLD. Her vast experience and unique their primary care provider to determine if a screening
Screenings credentials are why many local primary doctors and for NAFLD is appropriate. TGH Digestive Health Center,
Could you have endocrinologists refer their patients with NAFLD to her formerly TGH Gastro Group of the Palm Beaches, has
fatty liver disease? care. offices at 2001 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL
According to the Dr. Olsen is the only physician in the Palm Beach County 33407, and 3401 PGA Blvd., Suite 500, Palm Beach
American Association of region with specialized expertise in the management of Gardens, FL 33410. Both offices can be reached by calling
Clinical Endocrinology patients with end-stage liver disease, both before and after (561) 659-6543.
(AACE), individuals
with risk factors such as
type 2 diabetes, obesity, aLL about Kids
high blood pressure,
high cholesterol, or
metabolic syndrome Afterschool Kids Program education has an even greater long-term effect, and the
should be screened positive Jewish experiences are everlasting.
for nonalcoholic fatty At Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens Hebrew School they The school recently launched afterschool art and soccer
liver disease (NAFLD) by their primary doctor or know that Jewish education is not limited to the formal clubs for children in third through eighth grade.
endocrinologist. classroom. In fact they often see that informal Jewish
The vast majority of Americans, nearly 96 percent
with NAFLD, are unaware they have the chronic disease.
When left untreated, NAFLD can result in liver cirrhosis,
fibrosis or failure, and even death.
The AACE recently released new guidelines for the
early screening and diagnosis of NAFLD, hoping to
mitigate its progression and raise awareness to allow for
earlier identification, disease management, and referrals to
specialists. If NAFLD is detected and managed early, it’s
possible to prevent it from progressing and could reduce
the amount of damage and fat in the liver.
Dr. Sonja K. Olsen, a board-certified gastroenterologist
and hepatologist, is trained in the AACE’s updated
screening for NAFLD. She offers screenings at Tampa
General Hospital (TGH) Digestive Health Center, formerly
TGH Gastro Group of the Palm Beaches. The pain-free
screening consists of a FibroScan, a noninvasive diagnostic
device used to measure the fat content of the liver, and
liver stiffness, which is a marker for scarring.
“This new, advanced preventative measure available
through TGH Digestive Health Center offers patients a
greater opportunity to detect and treat nonalcoholic fatty
liver disease as soon as possible,” said Dr. Olsen. “Our