Digestive Health Specialists
March is Colon Cancer Awareness month! Are you up-to-date on the latest statistics for colon cancer? Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined and the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Did you know there is a 90% survival rate when cancer is found […]
Hemorrhoids are swollen or enlarged veins in the lower rectum. Most commonly, patients with hemorrhoids can experience rectal bleeding, itching, and/or rectal pain. You may have some discomfort in the rectum, and feel a “bulge” outside of your anus if the hemorrhoids are prolapsed or external. Symptoms can also include stool “leaking” because it can interfere with the tightening of the sphincter.
Tis the season for family, festivity and food- lots and lots of food! So how can you maintain good digestive health this holiday season, when everyone around you seems to be splurging? Heartburn, constipation, indigestion and diarrhea are common as you hop from one holiday feast to another. But instead of suffering throughout the holidays, there are some things you can do to keep you feeling good well into 2019!
Celiac disease is most commonly confused with gluten intolerance, though the two are very different things. Gluten sensitivity is a condition where eating gluten leads to uncomfortable GI symptoms, including abdominal cramping, bloating and diarrhea. It does not lead to serious medical complications. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder causing inflammation and damage in the lining of the small bowel with exposure to gluten. It can lead to serious medical complications, and it improves with a strict gluten-free diet. The GI symptoms are very similar between the two. As such, it can be challenging to tell one from the other. Formal medical testing is often needed to ensure patients with Celiac disease are identified and get the care they need.
Digestive Health Specialists is here to help you if you, or someone you know, would like more information, or if you are experiencing any of the listed symptoms and would like further evaluation.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Hemorrhoids, Diarrhea, Celiac Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Gallstones are just a few Digestive Disorders that can affect women at a higher rate than men and can do more than just take the fun out of your day. These disorders can cause you to feel embarrassed, miss important events, be painful and downright inconvenient.
At Digestive Health Specialists, not only are we ready to see you and treat these disorders but we want to introduce you to our team of women that can specifically address these disorders in a comfortable and caring environment. We understand the comfort of seeing a female provider for what might be an embarrassing situation.
Let’s get a little personal, shall we? We all eat, drink and then digest. What we put in our bodies has to come out. We all go to the restroom and have bowel movements. It’s normal. It’s a part of life. But what is not normal is red on the tissue or red in the stool – and by red we mean blood. Seeing red can mean several different things. It can be associated with problems in your esophagus all the way down to your rectum.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the United States. However, when colorectal cancer is found and treated early, there is a 90% survival rate. Unfortunately, one in three American adults are not screened as recommended. There are a few screening tests available, but a colonoscopy is the only screening test that both detects and prevents cancer. Other tests can miss certain polyps (pre-cancer), and have false positive or false negative results.
During these hot, lazy days of summer, you may find yourself moving slowly and feeling sleepy all the time. There is in fact an inverse relationship between the temperature outside and the temperature in your body. In summer, your balance may feel off because your body turns down its internal furnace as a means of protecting itself.
What’s in a name? Heartburn by any other name, indigestion, GERD, pyrosis, the devil….would still burn as bad. Have you ever thought to yourself… Why do I have such severe chest burning every time I eat pizza or pasta??? What is this fiery ball in the middle of my chest attacking me from the inside?? Why is food constantly getting stuck in the middle of my chest??? Why is my voice constantly hoarse???
Summer is right around the corner. Barbecue grills are getting fired up, graduation parties with delectable cakes and sweet summertime drinks are just a few weeks away, and restaurants with outdoor patios are in full swing ready to serve you their finest southern cuisine. Don’t let difficulty swallowing interfere with your fun summer plans.
