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Dr. Pooja Reddy Spector, MS, MD is a physician provider in New York, NY specializing in physician, pediatric transplant hepatology (liver transplant medicine), general pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology. She graduated from Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Pooja Reddy Spector, MS, MD is affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian, Columbia University Department of Surgery, ColumbiaDoctors and CUIMC/NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.
Gastrointestinal Problems (Digestive Disorders)
The gastrointestinal system, or GI tract, is the name given to a collection of organs that work together to digest food. These organs fit together in a long tube, running from the mouth to the anus, and include the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, among others. With so many parts working together, complicated by today's busy lifestyles and diets, digestive problems are common. As many as 1 in 3 Americans have a digestive or GI disorder. There are a huge variety of digestive problems, but the most common are IBS, constipation, GERD, hemorrhoids, and ulcers.
IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, happens when the muscles surrounding the colon contract too easily or frequently. The result is abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating. IBS attacks can often be brought on by specific triggers, so a key part of treatment is learning which foods trigger IBS attacks and avoiding them. Treatment also includes exercise, avoiding stress, and medications if needed.
Constipation, or large, hard, or infrequent stools, happens to everyone at some point. It can be caused by a disruption in routine or food, or by eating a diet without many fresh fruits and vegetables. Although it is uncomfortable, constipation is common and usually not serious, but it can sometimes become chronic. Adding fiber to the diet, exercising, and taking medications may help.
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a severe form of chronic heartburn where stomach acid spills back up into the esophagus. Left untreated, the acid may even eat away at the esophagus and cause serious damage. Treatment includes changing the diet to avoid trigger foods, losing weight if needed, medications, or even surgery.
Hemorrhoids are blood vessels around the rectum that become irritated, swollen or torn while straining during a bowel movement. They are most often caused by constipation, but can also be caused by pregnancy, diarrhea, or simply a genetic predisposition towards hemorrhoids. Treatment involves first treating any constipation issues, then keeping the area clean and soothed until it has healed. If these measures are ineffective, surgery is sometimes used.
Peptic ulcers are sores or spots of inflammation in the lining of the stomach or close to the stomach in the small intestine. Usually this area is coated with a protective lining that shields the tissue from the strong stomach acid, but a break in the lining can let acid in, causing the sores. It used to be thought that stress caused ulcers, but now it is known that is not the case. Most often, they are caused by an infection by H. pylori bacteria, but ulcers can also be caused by alcohol abuse or overuse of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDS. The symptoms of an ulcer are pain, hunger, nausea, and fatigue.
Gastrointestinal problems, perhaps more than any other area, are markedly affected by lifestyle. Many disorders can be prevented or treated at least in part by eating a healthy diet high in fiber, exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and limiting alcohol intake. Still, the frequency of digestive disorders means that even the healthiest person can be affected by them. Anyone who notices blood in their stool, experiences abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or any significant change in bowel movements should see a doctor.
Dr. Pooja Reddy Spector, MS, MD graduated from Emory University School of Medicine. She completed residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, and Pediatric Transplant Hepatology and has a state license in New York.
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
Residency: Albert Einstein College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, and Pediatric Transplant Hepatology
Licensed In: New York
Dr. Pooja Reddy Spector, MS, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Pooja Reddy Spector, MS, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Multiplan, MVP Health Care, Magnacare (National), Healthfirst, Emblem/GHI, Emblem/Hip, WellCare, Healthspring (Cigna Medicare), UnitedHealthcare, Affinity Health Plan, Medicare, CIGNA, Local 1199, Fidelis Care, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthplus, AETNA, VNSNY CHOICE, ElderServe, Amida Care, World Trade Center Health Plan, United Healthcare PPO, United Healthcare POS, United Healthcare HMO, Aetna POS, Vytra, Great-West Healthcare, Aetna EPO, Aetna PPO, Aetna HMO, GHI PPO, Aetna Signature Administrators, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA POS, CIGNA HMO, CIGNA EPO, Medicaid Managed Care, Blue Shield PPO, Blue Shield HMO, Blue Shield EPO, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Railroad Medicare, Oxford HMO, HIP PPO, HIP POS, HIP EPO, HIP HMO, Empire BlueCross BlueShield HMO, Empire BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Healthfirst - Leaf (Exchange), ElderServe - Special Needs, Amida Care [Special Needs], AETNA - Student Health, MVP Health Care - Child/Family Health Plus, Healthfirst - Child/Family Health Plus, Empire Blue Cross - EPO, AETNA [Aetna Signature Administrators, Medicare Managed Care, HMO, PPO, POS, EPO, NY Signature, Student Health], AETNA - NY Signature, Amida Care - Special Needs, VNSNY CHOICE [SelectHealth, Medicare Managed Care, Special Needs], AETNA - Medicare Managed Care, World Trade Center Health Plan [World Trade Center Health Plan], Healthfirst - Medicare Managed Care, Medicare [Traditional Medicare, Railroad], VNSNY CHOICE - SelectHealth, VNSNY CHOICE - Medicare Managed Care, MVP Health Care - Essential Plan, ElderServe [Special Needs], World Trade Center Health Plan - World Trade Center Health Plan, Medicare - Traditional Medicare, VNSNY CHOICE - Special Needs and MVP Health Care - HMO.
According to our sources, Dr. Pooja Reddy Spector, MS, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
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Dr. Pooja Reddy Spector is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and an Attending Pediatrician at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. She practices in the Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation. Prior to her faculty appointment, Dr. Spector earned a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia prior to pursuing her medical education at Emory University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Pediatrics at The Children's Hospital at Montefiore and clinical fellowships in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Advanced Transplant Hepatology at NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center. During this time, she pursued formal training in Patient Safety research and earned a Master's degree in Epidemiology from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Spector is board certified in Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, and Pediatric Transplant Hepatology. Dr. Spector's clinical practice is focused on the management of pediatric patients with a range of liver diseases including neonatal cholestasis, biliary atresia, rare metabolic diseases, viral hepatitis, liver tumors including hepatoblastoma, and autoimmune liver disease. She has completed advanced training in the management of pediatric liver and intestinal failure and is experienced in caring for patients both prior to and after undergoing liver, intestinal and multi-visceral transplants. Dr. Spector performs several procedures including percutaneous liver biopsy, endoscopy, variceal band-ligation and colonoscopy. While caring for patients, she aims to educate both her patients and their families as they work together toward shared decision-making and optimal treatment outcomes. Dr. Spector's research interests include patient safety, quality improvement and assurance, as well as epidemiology and outcomes of pediatric liver diseases and transplant. During her time as a Patient Safety Research Fellow, she focused on utilizing health information technology to prevent medical errors and improve the quality and efficiency with which patient care is delivered. She continues this work as part of the Empire Clinical Research Investigator Program (ECRIP).
