Tag: winston-salem

If You Have Difficulty Swallowing – Here’s Why!

Have you ever had difficulty swallowing, where food gets stuck going down or comes back up? I see patients that come in and say, “You know, sometimes, when I’m eating, food has a little difficulty going down. It gets hung up on the way, or sometimes liquids go down the wrong way.” It is a […]

Native American Health Concerns

The American Indian and Alaska Native people have long experienced lower health status when compared with other Americans. Lower life expectancy and the disproportionate disease burden exist, perhaps because of limited access to healthcare, disproportionate poverty, discrimination in the delivery of health services, and cultural differences. These are broad quality-of-life issues rooted in economic adversity […]

Liver Cancer Symptoms and Risks

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the liver, it is called liver cancer. Each year in the United States, about 25,000 men and 11,000 women get liver cancer, and about 19,000 men and 9,000 women die from the disease. The percentage of Americans […]

Picking the Right Test – Colonoscopy or Cologuard

Colon cancer is highly preventable and treatable. It is estimated that in 2022, over 100,000 people will be diagnosed, and over 40,000 people will die from colorectal cancer in the United States. The key to improving these statistics is to ensure that every person completes a routine colon cancer screening test, which can stop the […]

What is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a chronic disorder, which means delayed stomach emptying without a blockage. In healthy people, when the stomach is functioning normally, contractions of the stomach help to crush ingested food and then propel the pulverized food into the small intestine where further digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs. Symptoms Symptoms include fullness after meals, […]

What is Viral Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the liver. This inflammation can cause damage to the liver and disrupt the liver’s ability to function properly. Some types of hepatitis can cause chronic or long-term damage, to the liver. This is why it is important to determine the cause of the inflammation and treat it […]

Intestinal Gas Causes Belching, Bloating, and Flatulence

Overview Intestinal gas is a topic that people often find difficult to discuss, but we all have gas in our intestinal tract. Gas can contribute to a sense of bloating (fullness), belching, abdominal cramps, and flatulence (gas). These symptoms are usually brief and resolve once the gas is released by belching or flatulence. Some people […]

Digestive Issues in Asian and Pacific Islander Population

Gastrointestinal diseases can have strong associations with certain ethnicities. Diet, genetics, and sanitation standards play a large role in the development and prevalence of many of these GI diseases. Asian Population Gastric cancer has one of the highest incidences in the East Asian population – Chinese, Japanese, and Korean people. It is due to environmental […]

A Spotlight on IBS in April

Every passing month offers a new perspective on one of many digestive health-related topics. April is no exception—it is IBS Awareness Month! Irritable Bowel Syndrome can sound like a daunting disorder because it is common and encompasses many different symptoms. IBS affects the large colon and can cause cramping, stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, gas, and […]

What You Should Know About Colon Cancer

  Colon cancer is common and can be fatal Colon cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer and cancer deaths in the United States Men and women are affected equally 50,000 Americans die every year of colon cancer Colon cancer is being diagnosed at younger ages, and therefore, the recommended age for  first screening […]