Austin Gastroenterology

What Are the Consequences of Poor Digestive Health?

Did you know that your digestive system is the gateway to your overall health? In fact, 70 percent of your immune system is located in your gut, which needs regular, healthy food intake to support your overall health. Spanning all the way from the mouth to the rectum, the digestive system is a highly complex

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How Probiotics Promote Digestive Health

You may have heard of the term “probiotics” but are unsure of what it is and how it can benefit you. If you have digestive issues, probiotics can promote better digestive health and possibly improve your symptoms. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are naturally found in the body, on the skin, and in

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Coping Strategies for Esophagitis

Are you experiencing pain or difficulty swallowing along with heartburn, chest pains, and acid reflux? If these symptoms persist for more than a few days, even after taking antacids, you may have esophagitis. Esophagitis happens when your esophagus is inflamed. You need to control esophagitis early on to prevent it from developing into more severe

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Consequences of Chronic Constipation

If you have fewer than three bowel movements per week, frequent difficulty starting a bowel movement, or pain while passing stool, you may be suffering from chronic constipation. The good news is that constipation itself is rarely associated with a serious medical condition. However, if left untreated, chronic constipation can lead to more serious medical

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Treatments for Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a serious but vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus is commonly transmitted through unprotected sexual contact or sharing of needles. Symptoms of hepatitis B include abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), and unexplained fatigue. The incubation period for hepatitis

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Common Myths About Digestive Health

A key part of the human digestive system is the enteric nervous system (ENS), which is a large swath of many, many millions of nerve cells coating your esophagus all the way to your rectum. This is nicknamed the body’s “second brain” that works with, yet independently from, the central nervous system (CNS) – which

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Colonoscopy Prep: Austin Gastroenterology in Central Texas

What Is a Colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is a minimally invasive test that is used to discover abnormal growths and disease conditions in the anus, rectum, large intestine, or colon. Done on an outpatient basis, a colonoscopy is an effective tool in screening patients for a variety of GI problems, including colorectal cancer. This malignancy is

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How is Hepatitis A Transmitted?

Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver that affects over a million people throughout the world each year. It causes the liver to swell and triggers symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, and nausea. Generally, the symptoms are mild and subside within a few weeks, but some cases can be serious. Fortunately, if you

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Symptoms of Poor Digestive Health

There can be many reasons for having digestive issues, and some of them are normal. However, if they become painful or interfere with living a normal life, it may be time to see a gastroenterologist for a digestive checkup. Let’s talk about some of the main symptoms of digestive health issues that warrant medical attention,

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