Dr. Randell Selected As A Top OBGYN In Atlanta Dr. Randell has been named one of the "Top Doctors in Atlanta." The selection was based on surveys conducted by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., which has provided surveys for Atlanta Magazine and other popular U.S. magazines. This distinction was awarded to Dr. Randell by Atlanta doctors, nurses and administrators who were surveyed and said that Dr. Randell was the Atlanta Obgyn practice where they would send a member of their family or friend. Dr. Randell has received the "Patients' Choice Award" recognizing him as one of Georgia's favorite physicians. The Patients' Choice Award is rated and awarded by patients. Dr. Randell has been honored with the "Top Physicians" award for 2009 from the Consumers' Research Council of America. The award is given to physicians based on  their clinical experience, training, board certification and membership in professional medical associations. Read Health News Stories Featuring Dr. Randell Dr. Randell is frequently interviewed by the news media on current issues in women's health care. He has appeared on all local Atlanta news stations and in The Atlanta-Journal Constitution. In addition, he has been on CNN and in many national women's magazines. See articles featuring Dr. Randell by clicking here. Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS™)  Dr. Randell is the first OBGYN at Northside Hospital-Atlanta to perform gynecological surgery using the new SILS™ Port for laparoscopic surgery. The device allows up to three surgical  instruments to be placed into the abdomen through a very small incision in the belly button resulting in a single scar that can be usually hidden. Learn more about SILS™ surgery by clicking here. Dr. Randell Performs The Most Benign (non-cancer) Gynecological Surgeries in Georgia Source: Intuitive Surgical December, 2009 Data A new, minimally invasive approach to hysterectomy and myomectomy, da Vinci Surgery, combines the advantages of conventional open and minimally invasive surgery, but with potentially fewer drawbacks. da Vinci surgery is only performed by a few surgeons in Georgia, but is becoming the treatment of choice for many surgeons worldwide. The da Vinci System enables Dr. Randell to perform surgical procedures with unmatched precision, dexterity and control. Dr. Randell believes that the da Vinci is the most effective, least invasive approach to hysterectomy and myomectomy. Learn more about robotic surgery by clicking here. Visit NorthsideRoboticSurgery.com				New Birth Control Options: NuvaRing® Women now have a revolutionary new, highly convenient form of birth control that they only have to think about once a month. NuvaRing®, the world's first monthly vaginal ring for birth control, is now available by prescription from Dr. Randell. NuvaRing®, a small flexible, transparent ring is discreetly administered by a woman in the privacy of her home. The state-of-the-art delivery system of NuvaRing® works by releasing a continuous low dose of estrogen and progestin over a twenty-one day period of use. Women can easily insert and remove the NuvaRing® and, because it is not a barrier contraceptive, it does not need to be positioned in an exact way to work. Learn more about NuvaRing® by clicking here. IMPLANON™ IMPLANON, the first and only 3-year, single rod implantable contraceptive has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is now available from Dr. Randell. IMPLANON™ is a small, thin, implantable hormonal contraceptive that is effective for up to three years. Learn more about IMPLANON™ by clicking here. Essure™ Essure, a new option for permanent birth control, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is now available from Dr. Randell. Unlike tubal ligation and vasectomy, there are no incisions or punctures to the body. Essure takes about 35 minutes, does not require general anesthesia, and provides permanent birth control without hormones. Learn more about Essure™ by clicking here. HPV Vaccine Is Now Available From Dr. Randell GARDASIL is the only vaccine that may help guard against diseases that are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) Types 6, 11, 16, and 18: *Cervical cancer *Cervical abnormalities that can sometimes lead to cervical cancer *Genital warts HPV Types 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and HPV Types 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital warts cases.. Learn more about the HPV Vaccine by clicking here. Dr. Randell's Office Has Moved To The Northside Hospital Doctors Centre We are excited about our new, beautiful office next to Northside Hospital. See pictures of the office by clicking here. Dr. Randell's Health Videos On YouTube Dr. Randell has made available online copies of health videos that he has appeared in on television. View these videos by clicking here.   Drug-free Relief Of Morning Sickness  Dr. Randell is offering patients a new device proven to treat nausea and vomiting due to pregnancy. PrimaBella™ is a watch-like device worn on the wrist that releases gentle electronic pulses that regulate the nausea signaling process between the brain and stomach.  Read more information about PrimaBella™ by clicking here.
Cord Blood Banking An Overview Of Cord Blood Expectant parents are faced with many important decisions from the moment they find out that they are pregnant. It is a time of excitement, great hope, and love. It is also a time of concern and journey into the many options parents have to help ensure the best for their unborn child. One of the latest possibilities parents are now considering is the ability to have their physician collect cord blood, enriched with life-enhancing stem cells, easily and painlessly from the baby's umbilical cord at birth. The Collection Process Blood is collected from the umbilical cord attached to the placenta after the baby is born. The blood is then packaged in a collection kit provided by the cord blood bank, and then transported to the cord blood facility for processing and storage, where it remains as "insurance" for possible future use. Collected, processed, and stored by a reputable facility, parents are now provided with the potential ability to safeguard their baby's future health, and the health of their family. Cord Blood Donation Some families elect to donate the cord blood to a public facility, which means that anyone may have access to their child's cord blood - there is no guarantee that blood stored at a public cord blood will be available to the family if needed. Storing at a private cord blood facility insures that only the family will have access to the cord blood and stem cells if needed. Use Of Cord Blood Stem cells taken from cord blood form the body's immune system foundation and manufacture blood and disease-fighting immune cells and while cord blood stem cells can be used without a perfect genetic match, when used by the baby, it is always a 100 percent match. And there is a 25 percent chance it will be an exact match for one of the baby's siblings. Cord blood stem cells can be used to treat a variety of cancers, such as Hodgkin's disease, as well as genetic diseases like sicklecell anemia, and immune system disorders such as severe combined immodeficiency disorder. In recent medical history, these and other similar conditions have been treated with bone marrow cells. While bone marrow cells are not only painful to harvest and require an identical biological match to work, it is also a very costly process - insurance coverage is often not available or challenging to get approved. It is very time-consuming to go from "need" to "transplant." Not so when parents decide to store their child's unique umbilical cord blood. There is simply no waiting time necessary. It is available when needed. The Future Of Cord Blood The reality of the future lies in the advances in medicine today and without a doubt, the use of stem cells taken from stored cord blood as treatment for so many conditions is truly one of the foremost medical marvels of our time. Medical and scientific researchers in a multitude of disciplines believe that at some point, it may be helpful in regenerating organs and nerves. Expectant parents in evergrowing numbers have embraced the fact that cord blood storage is an easy way to prepare for the much-anticipated medical breakthroughs and discoveries of tomorrow. Learn more about Cord Blood Banking by clicking here.
Dr. Randell Offers HPV Testing For Cervical Cancer Screening Since the 1940s, when the Pap smear was first introduced, the death rate for cervical cancer in the US has declined by nearly 70 percent. The battle isn't over, however. More than 15,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer are diagnosed and nearly 5,000 women die of the disease each year. Prevention of cervical cancer is possible by finding out if you have a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV). Certain "high-risk" types of HPV are known to cause most cases of cervical cancer. The Pap Smear The good news about cervical cancer is that it is almost 100% curable when it is diagnosed early and treated promptly. The Pap smear is one of the methods for identifying irregularities in cervical cells that could develop into cancer. Unfortunately, many studies have shown that the Pap smear can fail to detect up to 50% of cervical abnormalities. When the Pap smear is done by itself, abnormal cells may be missed or may not be seen early enough to prevent cervical cancer. You should have your first Pap smear by age 21, or earlier if you become sexually active. Most women are advised to have a Pap smear once a year. Why HPV Testing Is Important In the past, doctors have relied only on the Pap smear to determine who is at risk for cervical cancer. The Pap smear looks for abnormal cells in the cervix that are caused by HPV. If these abnormal cells are found early, they can be treated before they turn into cancer. Unfortunatley, the Pap smear isn't perfect since it cannot detect HPV directly. Watch Dr. Randell Discuss the HPV Test (click on the image to play) The HPV Test Dr. Randell now offers another test along with the Pap smear that determines if you have HPV. The HPV test is approved by the FDA and uses advanced technology to detect the genetic (DNA) code of HPV. If you are age 30 or over (when cervical cancer is most likely to ocur), it is recommended that you have the HPV test along with a Pap smear to increase Dr. Randell's ability to protect you against cervical cancer. Early detection means early treatment. If you are under 30, Dr. Randell may order an HPV test if your Pap smear result is unclear or abnormal. Learn more about the HPV test by clicking here.   Register for a free Pap smear email reminder by clicking here.
Alternatives to Hysterectomy: New Technologies, More Options The lining of the uterus- the endometrium- is shed by bleeding each month during a woman's menstrual period. Sometimes the bleeding is too much or too long and treatment is needed. If bleeding does not respond to medication, Dr. Randell may suggest endometrial ablation. This procedure treats the lining of the uterus to control or stop bleeding. It does not remove the uterus. Heavy Bleeding One in five women has heavy bleeding at some point during her childbearing years. Heavy bleeding is most common for women between ages 40 and 50, as they approach menopause. It also can be caused by hormonal changes or certain medical conditions, such as problems with blood clotting. Although there are other causes of heavy bleeding, such as growths, ablation is not used to treat these problems. Losing too much blood can lead to anemia (lack of iron in the blood). It also can affect your ability to do the things you need to do. In most cases, Dr. Randell first tries to treat the bleeding with medication. If the bleeding can't be controlled, ablation may be used. Gynecare ThermaChoice Uterine Balloon Therapy System uses a balloon filled with heated sugar (dextrose) solution. (GYNECARE, a division of ETHICON INC., Somerville, N.J.) NovaSure Impedance Controlled Endometrial Ablation System delivers electrical current to a triangular metallic mesh electrode to vaporize the endometrium. (HOLOGIC™, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts.) Hydro ThermAblator® System (HTA® System) (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) About Ablation Ablation destroys a thin layer of the lining of the uterus. This stops all menstrual flow in many women. After ablation, some women still have light bleeding or spotting. A few women may have regular periods. This is because the ovaries and uterus are not removed. If ablation does not control heavy bleeding, further treatment or surgery may be required. Most women are not able to get pregnant after ablation. Thus, if you may want to become pregnant, you should not have endometrial ablation. Although pregnancy is not likely after ablation, you should keep using some form of birth control until after menopause. You also may want to think about sterilization as an option to prevent pregnancy. Ablation does not affect sexual response. A woman who has had ablation still has all her reproductive organs in place. Because of this, routine Pap tests and pelvic exams are still needed after ablation. The Procedure Ablation is a short procedure. It is done as outpatient surgery in most cases. This means you can go home the same day. You will be given some form of pain relief or sedative to help you relax before the procedure. The type of pain relief used depends on the type of ablation procedure, where it is done, and your wishes. There are no incisions (cuts) involved in ablation. Recovery takes about 2 hours, depending on the type of pain relief used. Dr. Randell will use one of a number of types of energy to burn away the uterine lining. These may include electrical or thermal (heat or freezing) ablation. After the Procedure Some minor side effects are common after endometrial ablation: * Cramping, like menstrual cramps, for 1-2 days * Small amount of thin, watery discharge mixed with blood, which can last a few weeks * Frequent urination for 24 hours * Nausea Dr. Randell will arrange follow-up visits to check your progress. It may take a few months to achieve results.
Practice Healthy Lifestyles for You and Your Baby If you're trying to get pregnant, or even if you know you want to have a baby some day, there are things you can do now to improve your odds of having a healthy pregnancy and baby later. Talk to Dr. Randell When you are trying to start a family, begin with a prepregnancy checkup (also called preconception care). Dr. Randell can review your general health, family and medical history, medications and diet, and answer any questions you might have. Get Immunized Certain medical conditions, such as rubella, can have devastating consequences for a fetus if they occur during pregnancy. If you have not already had measles, mumps or rubella (MMR) be sure to get the MMR vaccine at least 3 months before you try to become pregnant. Include Folic Acid in Your Diet The vitamin folic acid, if taken before conception and during the first 3 months of pregnancy, can reduce the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in newborns. Most women are advised to consume 0.4 milligrams (mg) of folic acid a day. Women who have had a previous neural tube defect pregnancy should take much more: 4 mg daily for one month before conception and during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Certain foods, such as bread and cereal, are now supplemented with folic acid, and the vitamin can be found in leafy dark-green vegetables, citrus fruits and beans. However, since it may be hard to eat enough of these foods to meet daily requirements, also take a daily vitamin with folic acid. Practice Safe Sex Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV, chlamydia or gonorrhea, can affect your ability to conceive and can infect and harm your baby. Using condoms and spermicides regularly will lower your risk of getting certain STDs. Since many STDs have no symptoms in the early stages, you should also have an annual gynecologic exam. Young women are particularly vulnerable to one STD with few obvious symptoms, chlamydia, which can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, a contributor to later infertility. Talk to Dr. Randell about which STD tests you should have. These tests can be done at the time of your annual Pap smear. Don't Smoke Women who smoke have decreased fertility rates and reach menopause about two years earlier on average than women who don't smoke. And tobacco use during pregnancy can cause problems such as low birth weight, preterm birth, or stillbirth. If there was ever a time to quit smoking, it's now. Plan Ahead Some of the amazing success stories in reproductive technology, babies born to previously infertile couples, women age 45 or even 50 having a baby, have contributed to the perception that a woman can postpone her childbearing for years, if not decades, as she pursues other plans. But remember that such stories are the exception, not the rule. A woman's fertility rate declines after age 35, and drops steeply in her forties. This does not mean that women have to rush to have babies in their 20s. But as you plan the major milestones in your life, factor this knowledge into your goals.