Austin Gastroenterology

June is Men’s Health Month: Get the Facts About Men and Colon Cancer

You’ve likely noticed day-to-day fluctuations in bowel habits depending upon the types of foods you consume and the daily medications you take. Yet, persistent changes in bowel habits can signal a more concerning condition. Colon and rectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among the U.S. population, as indicated by the American Cancer

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How Is Hepatitis A Diagnosed?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of hepatitis A cases in the United States has increased significantly over the past few years, with 12,474 total cases reported in 2018 alone. The numbers could be higher – possibly closer to 24,900 cases – as there are people who have the

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Gallstones: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

If you are overweight, obese, or live a sedentary lifestyle, you are putting yourself at risk for many health problems. Your lifestyle can take a toll on your digestive health. If you find yourself experiencing pain in the upper right-hand corner of your abdomen, it could be due to gallstones. It is not only people

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Signs You Need to Visit a Gastroenterologist

Gastrointestinal issues are hard to ignore. They almost always make themselves known, if not through pain, then through vomiting and issues with bowel movements. It is not always easy to determine where the pain is coming from, because there are many organs that make up the gastrointestinal system. For this, you need a specialist to

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How Frequently Should a Colonoscopy be Performed?

A colonoscopy is a gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. The procedure entails doing a “prep,” which helps empty the bowels completely for accurate viewing. During a colonoscopy, the doctor uses a lighted, flexible instrument to view the rectum and colon, and check for abnormalities that may point to cancer. Precancerous polyps can also be

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How Alcohol Can Affect Digestive Health

Alcohol could be a tonic or poison, depending on its dose. Moderate drinking can be healthy, but excessive drinking could facilitate various gut-related health issues. Let’s take a closer look at how alcohol can affect your digestive health and what preventive measures you can take to maintain good digestive health. How Your Body Digests Alcohol

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Hepatitis A and How It Is Transmitted

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver caused by toxins, alcohol use, certain medication, and viruses. Viruses are considered the most common cause of hepatitis. There are five distinct types of hepatitis caused by different types of hepatitis viruses. Let’s talk about hepatitis A, which is caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV), the transmission of

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Is My Heartburn Severe Enough to Require Treatment?

Heartburn literally feels like burning in your chest. The burning is a result of stomach acids backing up into the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) should seal itself to prevent this from happening, but for those who suffer from heartburn, it relaxes and allows acid reflux to develop. Almost every person at one point

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What Is a Gastroenterologist And What Do They Treat?

If your primary care physician refers you to a gastroenterologist, you may wonder what this medical specialist does. At Austin Gastroenterology, our board-certified physicians deliver comprehensive GI care, and they want their patients fully informed on tests, medications, and overall digestive health. Let’s look more closely at what a gastroenterologist can do for you. What

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Digestive Supplements for a Healthy Gut

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, roughly 70 million Americans suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) tract conditions. Whether you’re a statistic or not, it pays to learn about how to best protect and improve your gut health. Besides making adjustments to your diet and lifestyle, boosting your intake of essential vitamins through dietary

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