Sphincterotomy for Anal Fissure

What are the other Names for the Procedure?

• Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy
• Sphincterotomy
• Surgery for Anal Fissure   Read  More

Overcoming Heartburn, Reflux, Ulcers, & Fatigue

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, 60 million Americans report having heartburn at least once a month, and some studies report that more than 15 million Americans have symptoms every day. Read More

What is an anal fissure?

An anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the lower rectum (anus) that causes pain during bowel movements. It is a common condition. Anal fissures do not lead to more serious conditions such as colon cancer. Read More

Upper GI Endoscopy and the Disappearing Barium Study III

Comparative Costs of Upper GI series and Endoscopy

A complete upper GI X-ray study with barium (esophagus, stomach, with “follow through” including upper intestine) costs $272; Medicare allows $155 in a relatively high cost region (Philadelphia and suburban area). Read More

Addressing Severe Fat Malabsorption and Gastroparesis - A case study

A friend of mine with CF who lives in South Africa has a history of severe  gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying) and low stomach acid, which (alongside her Crohn's, CFRD, and removal of her terminal ileum, ascending colon, and gallbladder years ago) has caused her significant digestive distress and inability to digest anything other than her extremely regimented liquid diet. Read More

The Most Common Diabetes Complication Don't Know About Diabetic Gastroparesis

Since she was diagnosed with diabetes, you may have noticed that you have a problem with farmers, have gas and bloating? An annoying pain that can not in the upper abdomen, heartburn, or antacids that can not be identified to do? If you do, you are suffering from diabetic gastroparesis, the most common complication of diabetes that most diabetics do not know anything. Read More

Restricting Fructose to Reduce Fatty Liver Disease

Researchers report that reducing dietary fructose decreases liver fat in children with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Read more in the AGA Journals blog. Read More

Understanding and Managing Neurogastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders

The Penn Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders Program was developed to apply clinical expertise, research, and technology to the diagnosis and management of esophageal, gastric and intestinal motility disorders, and their physical and psychological effects. Read More

HOW MUCH DOES UPPER GI ENDOSCOPY COSTS IN USA?

0If your physician has recommended you to undergo Upper GI Endoscopy then the first question that comes to your mind is: What is the cost of Upper GI Endoscopy? This is the question that majority of patients think before undergoing the procedure. So, in today’s article, we talk about the Upper GI Endoscopy cost or an average cost of Endoscopy in the United States.


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By Paul Richard Posted October 4, 2017
In Medical, Upper GI Endoscopy

Upper GI Endoscopy Cost in USA

Liver cancer risk factors more prevalent among Mexicans living in US

Posted on September 26, 2017

Mexican-American individuals residing in the United States had more risk factors for liver cancer than their counterparts living in Mexico, according to study results presented at American Association for Cancer Research Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved. Read More-->

LIVER BIOPSY – REASONS, PREPARATION, PROCEDURE & RESULTS

A Liver Biopsy is the medical procedure that involves a surgical removal of the small amount of liver tissue which is analyzed to diagnose different diseases or disorders in the liver. Usually, the Liver Biopsy procedure is used to detect the presence of any abnormal cells in the liver such as cancerous cells or to evaluate the cause of various diseases such as hepatitis, jaundice, liver cancer or cirrhosis. The biopsy of the liver may also be used when the blood tests show abnormal results or when the ultrasound, X-ray or CT scan indicates a problem with the liver. Read More...

How Is The Procedure Of Liver Biopsy Performed?

A Liver Biopsy is the medical procedure which involves removing a small piece of liver tissue so that it can be examined under a microscope for various signs of any damage or disease related to the liver. The most important reason for Liver Biopsy is the detection of abnormal cells in liver such as cancerous cells and diagnosing a specific liver disease such as cirrhosis or fatty liver. The doctor also recommends Liver Biopsy Procedure when the results of blood or any imaging test indicate that there are some problems with the liver. Read More...

Getting Closer to a Blood Test for Colon Cancer

Preliminary reserach released today (Friday, June 7, 2013) in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics suggests that scientists are getting closer to creating a blood test that could detect colon cancers. CNN’s Health Blog ‘The Chart’ has a great summary of the study. Read More-->>

Five Reasons You Might Need a Colonoscopy as You Age - wellbeing

A colonoscopy is a procedure doctors use to get a view of your large bowel and the beginning of your small intestine. It isn’t comfortable and there are risks involved in this procedure, but having it done can help diagnose and treat you for a variety of serious health problems. There are several reasons your doctor may order this test for you as you age.

Crohn’s Disease

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Five Reasons You Might Need a Colonoscopy as You Age

A colonoscopy is a procedure doctors use to get a view of your large bowel and the beginning of your small intestine. It isn’t comfortable and there are risks involved in this procedure, but having it done can help diagnose and treat you for a variety of serious health problems. There are several reasons your doctor may order this test for you as you age. Read More-->>

How Can We Better Leverage Advances in Cancer Diagnostics and Treatment

Investment in research has led to advances in detection and treatment of cancer that are leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses and more targeted treatments that often carry less side effects. I’m so pleased that guest blogger Joydeep Goswami from Thermo Fisher Scientific is able to offer greater insight into these advances and the importance of making sure broad populations have access to these exciting new tools.

By Joydeep Goswami

President, Clinical Next Generation Sequencing and Oncology
Thermo Fisher Scientific

Technology Advances

Over the last several decades, scientific research has revealed that cancer is a disease primarily caused by mutations found in genes. Further studies have helped identify which key mutations develop into potentially deadly cancers. That information has helped researchers in the pharmaceutical industry to develop specially tailored therapies designed to target those mutations.

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When medicine and doctors almost kill you

People don’t want to know about this, but it’s not really unusual. Medically induced illness: iatrogenic injury (third cause of death)

I discovered that an article from 2012 was getting traffic and so I read it again for the first time since I wrote it. (This is what it’s like — the article from 2012) … it gave me pause and then I started tweeting.

I tweeted these thoughts:

I was so fucking sick. Sometimes I think about it and just the thought of those times is traumatizing. It’s still often very difficult too which keeps it fresh.

I’ve come so far but when I think about what it was like it’s just horrifying. Horrifying, still, because it remains incredibly alienating…

And horrifying because I know that so many others are being made ill like I was made ill…yes MADE ill by psychiatric drugs and treatment…

and the fact remains that most people don’t want to even know that it’s possible to get so sick. it’s too frightening to face.

and so those of us who become this ill by any route are largely abandoned by all society because we are too terrifying to contemplate…

and then when we speak of it people hate us…want to tell us to shut up and to tell us we are an anomaly…but we really are not…I know of 10,000s of us…and there are many more who are not apparent on the internet.

Read More By Monica Cassani Shared by Paul Richard

COLORECTAL HEALTH ALERT: Opdivo Approved for MSI-High Colorectal Cancer Patients

Bristol-Meyers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab) has just been approved by the FDA for patients with a microsatellite instability-high tumors (also known as MSI-H) or mismatched repair deficiency (dMMR). The approval was specifically for patients whose cancer has progressed following Fluoropyrimidine, Oxaliplatin, and Irinotecan.

Opdivo joins Merck’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) as the second immunotherapy drug to be approved within four months. Here’s what you need to know.

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Upper GI (Endoscopy) Results

Went into my 'home away from home' for the Upper GI yesterday afternoon. The endoscopy team was running a little late as they had an emergency issue earlier in the day that put the scheduled appoints behind. Very understandable in a hospital setting. As I told the doctor performing the procedure when she was apologizing "I've been the reason for delays, so can't really complain". Turns out the doctor that did my procedure was one of the liver transplant docs. That's kinda cool.

Upper GI Endoscopy Results
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World Kidney Day 2017 - All About Kidney Disease

World Kidney Day is a global awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. World Kidney Day is celebrated every 9th of March and was started in 2006 and has not stopped growing ever since. Every year, the campaign highlights a particular theme.

Are you someone who has had diabetes for more than 10 years? It is time for you to get your kidneys evaluated. Diabetes is becoming the most common cause of chronic kidney disease. Many people have an undetermined cause for kidney disease.

Environmental factors have been postulated in its causation. With the change in lifestyle, kidney disease I spreading to more and more people. A population based study calculated that in India the dialysis population is growing at the rate of 10-20 per cent annually.

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

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Why Self Care is Important for Women

If you are like so many women, life is just plain hectic. Nurturing others comes naturally so you may find yourself in the role as your family’s primary caretaker. You may also be juggling a demanding career but doing so at the expense of a balanced home life. Finding time to take care of yourself properly can be hard when there are so many demands on your time. However, if you don’t make the effort, you may find yourself susceptible to health and stress-related conditions including burn out.

Self care involves taking good care of yourself both physically and emotionally. And that includes making sure your medicine cabinet is filled with essentials that support your active lifestyle. Boiron offers a variety of products to meet your changing needs no matter what stage of life you are in. Whether you are experiencing PMS, menstrual cramps or hot flashes, our homeopathic medicines do not interact with other medications or cause drowsiness that could interfere with your daily life.

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ADD TOP 7 FOODS TO YOUR DIET For Acid Reflux

You may experience heartburn, bitter taste in back of your throat, sore throat, and cough, sour taste in mouth and burning sensation in breastbone. Yes, these all are the symptoms of Acid Reflux, a common medical condition that occurs when the stomach acid – helps in food digestion – flows back into the esophagus. This backflow of stomach acid happens because the Lower Esophagus Sphincter (LES) becomes weaken or damaged, as it is a circular muscle that joins your stomach and esophagus and it is responsible for tightening the esophagus after the food passes to stomach. If it becomes weak and isn’t tightens properly then the acidic contents from the stomach move backward to the esophagus. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic and severe form of Acid Reflux. The medical condition of GERD occurs when you experience Acid Reflux more often than twice a week which causes inflammation in the lining of esophagus.

TOP 7 FOODS THAT HELP IN REDUCING SYMPTOMS OF ACID REFLUX:

Heartburn pills in pregnancy may be linked to childhood asthma

Children born to mothers who take heartburn medication during pregnancy may have a greater risk of developing asthma, research suggests.

Those whose mothers had been prescribed medicines to treat acid reflux during pregnancy were more likely to be treated for asthma in childhood, a review of studies found.

However, experts say the potential link -- which came to light by reviewing studies that had examined health records -- is not conclusive.

They say that the association could be caused by a separate, linked factor and that further research is needed to determine whether the medicines affect the health of children.

Mothers-to-be should follow existing guidelines -- to use the medicines as required -- and consult with a doctor or nurse if symptoms persist, they recommend.

Heartburn is caused by stomach acid passing from the stomach back into the esophagus -- the tube that connects the stomach to the throat. The condition is very common in pregnancy because of hormonal changes and pressure on the stomach from the growing womb.

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HOW CAN YOU PREVENT GALLSTONES BY FOLLOWING 3 BEST PREVENTIVE MEASURES?

Gallbladder is a small, sac-shaped organ that stores bile, an enzyme to digest the food and it is made in the liver. The small particles that form in the gallbladder are known as Gallstones. Usually these stones are harmless and often do not cause any pain but when the gallbladder becomes too large that it blocks the bile duct -a tube that carries bile to small intestine – and prevents the bile to move from the gallbladder to small intestine where it is needed to breakdown the food then a patient may need to have a surgery for treatment of Gallstones. Obviously, this is a situation that majority of patients prefer to avoid, leaving them to wonder: how can I prevent Gallstones?

FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAT PEOPLE CAN FOLLOW TO AVOID THE FORMATION OF STONES IN THEIR GALLBLADDER. HERE ARE THOSE PREVENTIVE MEASURES:

Read Compete Blog by Paul Richard

WHY JAUNDICE HAPPENS IN ADULTS & WHAT ARE ITS CAUSES?

If you have Jaundice then you are most likely to have your skin and the white part of your eyes turns to yellow. The condition is most common in newborn babies but people of all ages including adults get it, too. Jaundice is caused by build-up of bilirubin – a yellow pigment – in the blood and the tissues of the body. This build-up of bilirubin is often due to certain other conditions that affect your liver, gallbladder, pancreas or blood, such as hepatitis, gallstones or cirrhosis. If you are experiencing the symptoms of Jaundice then the doctor devises treatment plan for the underlying condition that is causing it instead of the Jaundice itself.

Let’s find out what exactly causing Jaundice in adults, its diagnosis and treatment:

WHY DO ADULTS GET JAUNDICE?

Old red blood cells travel to the liver, where they naturally breakdown. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is produced as a waste by-product through the process of breakdown of these old red blood cells. When red blood cells die, the liver filters them out of the body through urine or stool. But when your liver can’t perform this function properly in the way it’s supposed to due to any reason then bilirubin starts build up in the blood and body tissues, causing your skin and whites of eyes to look yellow.

Read More-->>

Diarrhea

Several soft, semiformed stools each day or frequent, watery stools throughout the day and even the night is generally called diarrhea. For people in the Western World, the usual amount of water in stool each day is generally no more than 200 ml or 7 oz. (8 oz. = 1 cup). When it is consistently more than this, it is called diarrhea in the medical field.

There are many causes of diarrhea. Fortunately, in most instances, this change in bowel habits is short lived and clears up on its own. In these cases, it is assumed that it is a virus infection or even “something I ate.” Whenever diarrhea lasts more than two or three weeks, medical advice is generally recommended. Among the many known causes are:

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THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT H. PYLORI: ALLERGIES, AUTOIMMUNE, & ADRENAL FATIGUE

In my last post (healing update #5) I told you I have h. pylori. It is not a fun thing to have. It creates SO much destruction in the gut and organs and pretty much can ruin your body. The #1 thing you do not want to do is let it overgrow-trust me, it is much worse then the detox. So, lets begin.

h. pylori is short for Helicobacter pylori

RESEARCH

If you don’t know anything about h. pylori I suggest you watch these video’s. I have done lots of research over the past months and these videos are very detailed and explain the biochemical process your body goes through and what the h. pylori does (what vitamins it takes away, detox pathways it ruins, etc..) to the body. I wont lie- they are long, but if you are serious about eradicating the h.pylori for good, then you need to know your facts.

h. pylori- another piece to the puzzle

h. p- part 2

I find Dr. Amy is a very thorough Dr. and researcher and her protocol and testing techniques actually work. Here is her site.


THE CONFUSION

H. pylori is pretty common and a lot of people don’t even know they have it. From what scientists can test- It is the most common infection in the world! When you do know you have it, most likely it is because you are already having un plesent symptoms.

Im not going to list all the symptoms here all because it can pretty much be anything. Not just digestion related/ulcers. Lots of doctors think it stays in the stomach. Nope. It can travel and infect any organ it likes to.

Not only does h. pylori invade but since it reduces stomach acid- (because it likes an base environment to grow) then other parasites and bugs have a easy time thriving. Acid kills, without acid-bad bugs will live in you. yuck.

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What Is Helicobacter Pylori Infection & How It Makes You Sick?

H. pylori are a type of bacteria that grow in digestive tract and they have the ability to attack the lining of the stomach and usually infect the stomach. The infections of H. Pylori are usually harmless but they are responsible for various ulcers in stomach and small intestine. The “H” in the name stands for Helicobacter, while Helico means spiral as these bacteria are spiral shaped. These bacteria are usually present in more than half of all the people living in the world. H. Pylori typically infect the stomach during childhood. In some people, these strains of bacteria can cause certain diseases such as Peptic Ulcer and Gastritis. That is the reason, when you develop symptoms of these diseases then the doctor probably tests you for H. Pylori infection as it can be treated with medications.

Let’s see how H. Pylori makes you sick and how it can be diagnosed and treated, also learn about its symptoms, risk factors and complications:

How H. Pylori makes a person sick?

For decades, the doctors thought that people get stomach ulcers due to eating spicy foods, taking stress, having smoking and other lifestyle habits. But, in 1982, the scientists had discovered H. pylori and they found that these germs are the most common cause of stomach ulcers.

Read More -->>

What Is Gastritis?

Gastritis is an inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the lining of the stomach. It can occur suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic).

What Causes Gastritis?

Gastritis can be caused by irritation due to excessive alcohol use, chronic vomiting, stress, or the use of certain medications such as aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs. It may also be caused by any of the following:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): A bacteria that lives in the mucous lining of the stomach; without treatment, the infection can lead to ulcers, and in some people, stomach cancer.
Bile reflux: A backflow of bile into the stomach from the bile tract (that connects to the liver and gallbladder)

Infections caused by bacteria and viruses

If gastritis is left untreated, it can lead to a severe loss of blood and may increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.

What Are the Symptoms of Gastritis?

Symptoms of gastritis vary among individuals, and in many people there are no symptoms. However, the most common symptoms include:
Nausea or recurrent upset stomach
Abdominal bloating
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Indigestion
Burning or gnawing feeling in the stomach between meals or at night
Hiccups
Loss of appetite
Vomiting blood or coffee ground-like material
Black, tarry stools

How Is Gastritis Diagnosed?

Gastritis Doctor in New Jersey

Gastroenteritis

What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

Gastric Flu
Stomach Flu

What is Gastroenteritis? (Definition/Background Information)

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of stomach and intestines, mostly caused by viral, bacterial or parasitic infections. Occasionally, the condition can occur due to non-infectious causes. Individuals with weak immune systems are more prone to these infections
Some risk factors for developing the condition include drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated food, being in an unclean or unhygienic environment, being in close contact with infected individuals, and the presence of certain pre-existing conditions such as diabetes

The following could be the causes of Gastroenteritis:

Viruses, including Rotavirus, Norovirus, Adenovirus, and Astrovirus
Bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Campylobacter sp., Salmonella sp., and Shigella sp.
Parasites such as Entamoeba, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium
Toxic substances; from ingestion of improperly canned food, toxic fish, or spoilt food
Viral Gastroenteritis is the most common type of Gastroenteritis that usually peaks during the winter months. It is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
The diagnosis of Gastroenteritis is typically done with a physical examination and assessment of symptoms. When the symptoms are severe, such as bloody stools and uncontrolled diarrhea, a healthcare professional may opt for additional tests to confirm the diagnosis
Dehydration is the most serious complication of this condition that promptly needs hospitalization without which an individual could go into shock, kidney failure, coma, and death
Usually, most cases of Gastroenteritis with mild symptoms in healthy individuals resolve spontaneously in few days. Careful treatment is required in pregnant women, children under 5 years and adults over 65 years of age, and those with debilitating medical conditions
Some simple measures such as washing hands frequently, avoiding contaminated food and water, cooking food thoroughly before consuming, and getting vaccinated (such as against Rotaviruses) can help prevent contracting this condition
The prognosis is considered to be excellent for individuals in good health, as long as they take plenty of fluids to make up for the lost fluids. Young children and adults over 65 years of age tend to develop dehydration faster than others, but prompt treatment can ensure favorable results

Read Complete Blog at How can Gastroenteritis be Prevented?

New Year, New Test

I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy last week. The anesthesia and procedure made me not so hot for a few days but I am glad I did it.

Do not ignore doing this. It was the test I was the most scared of because when I was going through breast cancer treatment my neighbor Myrna was being treated for and dying from Stage 4 colon cancer.

They removed polyps. One was hyperplastic (no concern, not premalignant) and the other was an adenoma (premalignant).

So I am on a 5 year rotation for colonoscopies instead of 10.

I had blown this test off for a couple of years because not only did the thought of it scare me, I was tired.  After going through breast cancer and treatment, I had a full hysterectomy.  For a couple of years I was like “not more medical procedures down there for a while.”

Well I am glad my primary care basically told me I had no choice I had to do it.

A mixed bag of results doesn’t thrill me I will be honest.  But better to know than pop another cancer.

Get your colonoscopies done.   And yes the prep is the singularly most hideous procedure prep known to man.  But if I can do it, you can do it.

Posted on January 23, 2017 by carla

LIVING WITH THE DIAGNOSIS OF CIRRHOSIS

Cirrhosis of the liver is a hard diagnosis to receive. Most peoples first thought goes to alcohol. In fact Cirrhosis is caused by many things. You can see a list of causes/types in the menu above under “types of liver disease”. It is very important that you find out the cause of your cirrhosis. This will make fighting it a lot easier.

That being said, in the end it doesn’t really matter what caused the cirrhosis. What matters is what are you going to do about it now? The way I see it you have three choices – 1. Ignore it, pretend it doesn’t exhist and continue on the way you are. This is not good because that is how you got here in the first place. Pull your head out of the clouds and join us in reality for a minute 2. Give up. Place your head between your legs and kiss your ars goodbye. Yeah, not such a great plan either. Your momma didn’t raise a quitter did she? 3. Fight. Learn everything you can about the disease and it’s complications, get a good health team together and fight like hell. Circle the wagons Poncho!! I ain’t a give’n in! This is the best course of action in my opinion. I’m usually right so you should listen to me. Just ask me I’ll tell ya.

Now lets get down to it ok?

Cirrhosis is not reversible. Let me say that again, cirrhosis IS NOT reversible. There are a few people out there that say it is. It is not. Liver disease can be completely reversible if you catch it early enough and before it gets to the cirrhosis stage. Once a liver is cirrhosed that damage is permanent. That does not mean you are going to die any time soon. A change of lifestyle is a must. You need to have healthy eating habits, exercise, vitamins and supplements and a positive attitude are also imperative. You can live for many, many years with cirrhosis.

LIVING WITH THE DIAGNOSIS OF CIRRHOSIS

5 Tips To Finding Reliable Colon Health Information When You Need It

From understanding your symptoms, determining which doctor to see and getting a diagnosis, to finding out your treatment options and dealing with the aftermath, the demand for information dominates every step of your journey as a patient.

If you’re like most people, you turn to the Internet for answers to your health questions. But when you enter the term colon cancer into a Google search, you get over 30 million hits. It’s overwhelming!

How does the average person know what to read? How do you know what information is reliable? How do you know the content is up-to-date? How do you determine if the information you are reading pertains to your specific circumstances? Do you remain concerned that there is information out there that might help you and you cannot find?
Here are a few tips to help you in your search.
1.) Check to see if the original source is listed

In the age of fake news and alternative facts, it can be vital to know the original source of information. A warning sign that the information is not trustworthy is if the source is anonymous, or itself may not be a credible scientific/medical source.
2.) Verify the information is scientific and supported by facts

Once you know the source, you need to verify it is respected and reliable. Websites ending in .gov are US government websites and are considered reliable. Websites ending in .edu and associated with medical universities are also reliable sources for health information.

With .com websites, it is important to look for the About section to find out the credentials of the people who created the website. Search for the Mission statement and, if you input information on your health, be sure to read how the company uses your information. What privacy protections are in place? Is the website HIPAA compliant?

Posted by Erin Peterson

Colon Health Blog

Relay For Life Founder Diagnosed With Stomach Cancer

Dr. Gordy Klatt, founder of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life program, says he has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. In an email to Society staff, Klatt stated:

Throughout the years I have spoken and written about how cancer can personally affect everyone. It affects the rich, the poor, and all nationalities and cultures around the world. About 4 weeks ago I was diagnosed with stomach cancer and I have begun my battle with this disease using chemotherapy.”

Klatt is also scheduled to have surgery this summer. Despite his condition, he is tentatively planning to attend his local Relay on June 8 in Tacoma, Washington.

Relay For Life started in the mid-1980s in Tacoma, Washington when Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed — running marathons.

In the spring of 1985, Klatt spent 24 hours going around a local track –more than 83 miles – and throughout the night, nearly 300 people paid money to run or walk at intervals with him. He raised $27,000, and the experience led to his vision of 24-hour relay teams that raise money for cancer research.

Read More-->> by Sabriya Rice

Gastroenterology Blog

POTS Symptoms – Aching Neck and Shoulders

What it feels like

For me this is one of the most prominent symptoms and it has become worse over the last couple of years. It feels like my shoulders and neck pulls themselves together on their own until they are a big ball of pain. It makes it very hard to relax or find rest while lying down. The pain is like a constant tightening, so it feels like the whole area is going to implode. Moving my head also hurts.

The pain is dominant 90% of the time and is only relieved temporarily by doing yoga. Because an intense tension in the neck always manifests itself as a forerunner seconds or minutes before an “attack”, I feel that there is a strong connection between the two phenomenons. ( An “attack” is where multiple symptoms like brain fog, tremors, and dizziness all flare up at once.) I, therefore, keep an eye out for the tension building up so I can get physically and mentally ready for the attacks before they hit.

Read Complete Blog Post at POTS & Pains

GASTROPARESIS – SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, RISKS, COMPLICATIONS, DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

The condition of Gastroparesis is related to the most important organs in the digestive system of human body: The stomach, which is a muscular sac about the size of melon and expands when we eat or drink, to hold the food or liquid as much of a gallon. Once the stomach crushes out the food then the spontaneous strong muscular contractions pushes the food toward the pyloric valve leading to the upper portion of the small intestine, called duodenum. When these spontaneous movements of muscles (motility) do not function properly or their muscular contractions become weak then it leads to a condition called Gastroparesis. In this condition, your stomach’s motility starts working poorly or not at all which prevents the stomach to empty properly thus, interfering the normal process of digestion. There is no known cure for Gastroparesis but dietary changes and certain medications can help manage the symptoms and offer relief from them.

Here’s what you need to know about the symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, diagnosis and treatment for Gastroparesis.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GASTROPARESIS?

By Paul Richard Posted April 12, 2017 In Gastroparesis

How I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis

There are few illnesses I suffer from but right now I'm going to talk about Gastroparesis (GP) and how I deal with it. You can pretty much google the word and BAM!!! a ray of stuff pops up. I will leave that part up to you to do...HINT: do some research and tell me what you find :-)

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, gastroparesis "also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine. Normally, the muscles of the stomach, which are controlled by the vagus nerve, contract to break up food and move it through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Gastroparesis can occur when the vagus nerve is damaged by illness or injury and the stomach muscles stop working normally. Food then moves slowly from the stomach to the small intestine or stops moving altogether. Most people diagnosed with gastroparesis have idiopathic gastroparesis, which means a health care provider cannot identify the cause, even with medical tests." In other words, my stomach is paralyzed and don't know why. Makes me wonder why they make wording so complicated and things so long sometimes.

About four years ago, I had collapsed from the abdominal pain I was having. I was having cramps but I was dealing with the pain as best as I can. I had told my doctors about it. I had upper and lower GI exam (if you know what I mean) done; but nothing was found. I started to drop weight but nothing as bad the last two years. But the cramps got worse and the doctors said nothing was wrong so I figured it had to be all in my head and began to brush it off. I would feel cramps and get an under fever and i'd just ignore it. Something is wrong with the thermometer. Over time it was getting worse when came that night I collapsed.


Posted by Smiley Bean Re-Blog By GI Endoscopy Practice

Forever A Liver

Lindsey Miller, the liver who shared her smile and thoughts with all of you, passed away on May 21, 2014.

She loved this blog and was touched by the kindness of her followers. She gave the world 124 posts and countless articles in other publications. The family appreciates the outpouring of love Lindsey got from this blog for the last 3 years and we will cherish that love forever.

Read More>>

Liver Doctor

GERD Friendly Meals

One of the most GERD-friendly meals I eat is grits, greens and beans or some other protein side -- not so much a "recipe" as another "composition" of foods. Quaker Old Fashioned grits provide some protein (4g) and nutrients (20% of your folic acid!) and being corn-based, are a lovely change from pasta, rice, and other grains. (Polenta, another corn-based dish, is similar to grits, but different.) For my GERD-prone gut, the mushy texture is welcome; as I noted in another post, my GERD tends to be calmer when I am eating soft foods like polenta, soups, and such. Grits are especially easy for me to digest and I never have reflux issues after eating them.


However, once again, how your body processes and responds to grits may be different from mine. I was surprised to find this Livestrong article about acidic foods and GERD listing "hominy grits" as a trigger food along with tomatoes, green beans, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and other acidic food suspects. (I rarely have issues with tomatoes or any of these foods. Hmmm.)


Meanwhile, the Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa offers this "Bland Diet GERD" one-sheet guide, sourced from the American Dietetic Association and Simplified Diet Manuel. The "bland diet" includes grits as a recommended grain.

Recipe: Grits and Greens

Permanent Affects of Chemo Therapy

Pain in the XXXX

One of the permanent affects of the Chemo Therapy is neuropathy of the extremities. In the past I have described it as a "fuzzy" feeling in my finger tips. I have also been noticing it slightly in the bottom of my feet. The fuzzy feeling is affecting my fine motor skills that require manual dexterity. I notice my printing is now looking like my handwriting. For those of you unfamiliar with my writing, I have printed ever since they stopped giving me a grade in handwriting. I barely squeaked out Cs throughout grade school. My printing has become somewhat distinct as it has evolved into a certain style. It's current legibility is comparable to my 4 year old grandson's writing.

It has not detrimentally affected any other manual function. Typing on the keyboard is a little strange. The tactile feel is not quite there, and I have trouble using a track pad. This will be a permanent result of chemo and one Dr. has recommended vitamin B12 as a possible aide in lessening the affect. Time will also diminish the neuropathy, but to what extent is unknown.

Overall it is a small price to pay. It is also a constant reminder of the cancer and it's possible comeback. I'm currently reading a book by Phillip Yancy, Where is God When it Hurts. The first section is on the value of pain, and how it is a warning system. It also goes into how pain enhances pleasure. Interesting concepts.

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Fatigue or Tiredness - GI Endoscopy Practice

Do you feel like you are tired all the time? Are you having difficulty staying awake to watch your favorite TV shows or to do your favorite hobby? Most of us really know how it feels to be tired or sleepy, especially when we are having flu, cold or any other viral infection. Nearly, every one of us is overtired from time to time. But when you start experiencing constant lack of energy and on-going tiredness or fatigue, it may be the time to think about your condition and the best time to check with the doctor.

What is Fatigue?

Fatigue is the condition of a lingering tiredness that is constant and limiting. When you’re having fatigue, you may have persistent, unexplained and relapsing exhaustion. The feeling of fatigue is similar to that which you feel when having flu or missed a lot of sleep. In case of a chronic fatigue, you may wake up in the morning feeling as you haven’t slept or you may be unable to perform properly at work or you may feel too exhausted to manage your routine activities. In most cases, there is a reason for fatigue.

What are the causes of Fatigue?

Most of the time, one or more of your habits is associated with fatigue especially lack of exercise. Usually, fatigue is a symptom of any other medical condition or problem or disease that requires medical treatment.

Here’s a brief overview of some important causes of fatigue:

Lifestyle factors:

Taking an honest record of those things in your daily life that are causing you fatigue is the first step to get relief from the problem. Some of these common factors include:

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Pediatric Gastroenterology Blog

About Jay Hochman -Pediatric Gastroenterology Blog

I am a pediatric gastroenterologist at GI Care for Kids (previously called CCDHC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The goal of my blog is to share some of my reading in my field more broadly. In addition, I wanted to provide my voice to a wide range of topics that often have inaccurate or incomplete information.

Why I blog | gutsandgrowth

Before starting this blog, I would tear out articles from journals and/or keep notes in a palm pilot. This blog helps provide an updated source of information that is easy to access and search, along with links to useful multimedia sources.

I was born and raised in Chattanooga. After graduating from the University of Virginia, I attended Baylor College of Medicine. I completed residency and fellowship training at the University of Cincinnati at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center. I received funding from the National Institutes of Health for molecular biology research of the gastrointestinal tract. I have authored numerous publications/presentations including original research, case reports, review articles, and textbook chapters on various pediatric gastrointestinal problems.

Currently, I am the section chief for pediatric gastroenterology at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite and head of the section of nutrition for the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition, I am an adjunct Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. Other society memberships have included the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Food Allergy Network, the American Gastroenterology Association, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Peptic Ulcers Are of Two Types

In common terms Ulcer means an open sore and word peptic is related to acid so Peptic ulcer means an open sore due to acid in Gastrointestinal tract.

In medical terms Peptic ulcer is an open sore which develops in the lining of gastro-intestinal tract that causes pain in stomach.

Peptic ulcers are of two types

1. Gastric ulcer – which is located in the inner lining of the stomach.
2. Duodenal ulcer – which is located in the duodenum or beginning of small intestine.

Both ulcers penetrate the muscularis mucosa but erosions do not penetrate the muscularis mucosa.
Peptic ulcer may be acute or chronic

Looking Back - A Journey with Colon Cancer: I'm back

Looking Back - A Journey with Colon Cancer: I'm back:

No the cancer is not back, but I am.

Had you for a second there didn't I?

I'm very pleased to be working with both Colon Cancer Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society this year, and I'm here to let you know that March is Colon Cancer Awareness month. And since I am so fortunate to call so many of you friends, I'm also here to remind you that like me, you are probably about 50 this year, and that means it's time for you to get screened.

It will be a major mission in the rest of my life to beat the drum about awareness, prevention and screening of colon cancer, because I don't want what happened to me to happen to you.

As they say at the Canadian Cancer Society, make your bottom your top priority!

Colon cancer is the number two cancer killer, yet it is 90% treatable when caught early.

Getting checked can help find colon cancer early, or even prevent it from happening before it starts. This is why it is so important to check for the disease before you have symptoms. In 2012, an estimated 8,700 Ontarians were diagnosed with colon cancer and approximately 3,450 people died from the disease.

Make your bottom your top priority. Talk to your doctor about getting checked for colon cancer every two years, once you turn 50.

Getting checked for colon cancer could be as easy as taking an at-home stool test (also known as the fecal occult blood test – FOBT).

If you’re at high risk for colon cancer, talk to your doctor about other colon cancer screening options.

Diet - Atkins Diet: Weight Loss and Better Lipids Don’t Lie

Diet - Atkins Diet: Weight Loss and Better Lipids Don’t Lie

The low carbohydrate Atkin’s diet invites controversy and skepticism.

After all, how could a diet laden with fats, cheese, and red meat be good for you? How could it help you lose weight? How could it lower your blood cholesterol or your blood fats leading to those fatty cholesterol plaques?

It doesn’t make sense. It’s just plain counterintuitive. Besides, its creator, the late Doctor Robert Atkins, was an unabashed self-promoter, writing best selling diet books and building a company to make Atkins diet products. No self-respecting doctor toots his own horn. He relies on scientific evidence.

The evidence has just arrived. A July 17 New England Journal Report, in a “tightly controlled” 2 year, 23 author study of 322 overweight Israelis, compares low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, and low-fat diets It finds Atkins dieters lost more weight, lowered their “bad” cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) more, boosted their “good” cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) more, reduced their triglycerides more, and dropped their ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol more.

How could this be? Well, figures don’t lie.

Here Is A Quick Cure For All About Hepatitis – Overview & Basics

Hepatitis is a condition of inflammation of the liver, which is mainly caused by excessive use of illegal drugs, alcohol and certain medical conditions. Another most common cause of this disease is virus, known as Viral Hepatitis, which can spread through unhygienic conditions and being in physical contact with a carrier. There are three common variables of the disease i.e. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

Symptoms of Hepatitis:

In the early weeks after infection, there are no visible symptoms and this phase is known as acute phase. As the disease worsens the patient starts experiencing symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue, nausea, mild fever, belly pain and poor appetite. The advancement of this disease is so slow that even Hep B and C patients don’t show any symptoms for many years until they become chronic.

Basics of Hepatitis A:

Hepatitis A is highly contagious and can spread from one person to another in different situations. It normally spreads through contaminated food and water. Food can be stained with the virus when the infected person touches it without washing hands after using washroom. Fruits, vegetables, raw shellfish and under cooked food are also some common culprits for spreading the virus. It usually cause very mild illness due to which many people don’t even know that they are infected with the virus.

Read Complete Article: Here Is A Quick Cure For All About Hepatitis – Overview & Basics

DIVERTICULOSIS & DIVERTICULITIS

bLOG lINK: DIVERTICULOSIS & DIVERTICULITIS – OVERVIEW, SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

WHAT IS DIVERTICULOSIS?

The large intestine or colon is a long tube like structure approx. 5-6 feet in length which stores and eliminates waste material that is left over after the food is digested in the small intestine. It is usually thought that the walls of the colon become thick with the age of a person which causes increased pressure required by colon to eliminate feces and even small, hard stools are difficult to pass and need increased pressure to pass. These repeated high pressures in the colon push the inner lining of the intestine outward through weak muscle areas in the shape of a small sac or bulging pocket. This small bulging sac pushing outward from colonic wall is called a Diverticulum, while more than one sac called as Diverticula. The Diverticula can form throughout the colon but they are most commonly form near the last portion of the intestine, which referred as Sigmoid Colon. The condition of having Diverticula in the lining of the colon is called Diverticulosis.

It is common in people living in Western countries while the condition is rare in Asia and Africa. The condition increases with the age of a person and it occurs 10% in people over the age of 40 and 50% in people over the age of 60. Complications, which can be severe and need treatment, are very rare as they occur in 20% of people having Diverticulosis.

WHAT IS DIVERTICULAR BLEEDING?

One of the complications of the Diverticular disease is Diverticular bleeding or rectal bleeding which occurs when small blood vessels situated next to Diverticula become injured. If you experience bleeding then immediately consult the doctor.

ACID REFLUX – 6 SILENT SIGNS THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Whenever we eat, chew and swallow the food, it passes from our throat to the stomach through the esophagus, which is hollow muscular tube whose purpose is to transport the food from throat to the stomach. At the end of the esophagus and the entrance of stomach, there is a valve which is actually a ring of muscle fibers called as Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). The function of LES is to close soon after the food has entered into the stomach and prevents the stomach acids – which are necessary for food digestion – going back to the esophagus because they can cause serious damage to the lining of esophagus. Sometimes LES doesn’t close too tightly as it should be or remains open which results in the leakage of stomach acidic contents back into the esophagus and this backward action of stomach acids is called as Acid Reflux. If this condition continues for more than two weeks then it becomes chronic and this severe form of Acid Reflux is called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

WHAT ARE THE 6 SILENT SIGNS OF ACID REFLUX THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW?

The most common sign and symptom of Acid Reflux is heartburn which is a burning pain that moves from your stomach to the chest or abdomen or even towards your mouth. But there are some other signs of Acid Reflux that we normally ignore in our everyday life and didn’t take them seriously which results in worsening the condition. Let’s see the 6 silent signs of the condition:

Difference Between Pain in chest & Heart disease?

Read GI Endoscopy Practice's answer to What is the difference between the pain in chest arise from gastric and pain from heart attack or heart disease? on Quora

What’s new in gastroenterology? Insights from BMC Medicine at DDW 2015

You rarely get the chance to meet 15,000 gastroenterologists, all together in one place. So, when BMC Medicine joined Digestive Disease Week 2015 in Washington DC last month, we got a glimpse into what’s new in the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology.

Gastroenterology is a vast discipline, and from 16 – 19 May, around 15,000 delegates from across the globe met at DDW 2015 to discuss the latest research in the field.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) was just one of the diseases discussed at large during the conference. This is a group of idiopathic chronic inflammatory intestinal conditions, and its incidence is increasing worldwide with no cure currently available.

The first session on 16 May addressed whether living in a rural or urban environment could affect the risk of developing IBD. Eric Benchimol presented the results of a Population-based and Birth Cohort study from the Canadian Gastro-Intestinal Epidemiology Consortium (CanGIEC).

IBD incidence in Canada is one of the highest in the world, but the risk is not uniform among its provinces. Spending childhood in a rural environment appears to protect against adult IBD, and the effect is stronger in children than adults. Importantly, socioeconomic status is not linked to the incidence of IBD, but given the heterogeneity of the data and the conditions, this will require further studies.


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