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 removed during a colonoscopy. One of the most frequently asked questions about a colonoscopy is how often it should be performed, and the answer ... [Read More]
Crohn’s Disease
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, and where you can go for an evaluation and treatment: Frequent Diarrhea Occasional bouts of diarrhea can happen when you have an infection or a food reaction, but ... [Read More]
Causes of Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD) that causes episodic symptoms. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and fever are just a few of the most common symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease. Patients diagnosed with this condition can have varying degrees of symptoms. No two individuals will have the same symptoms during a Crohn’s disease flare-up. For some, symptoms may be mild and fairly unnoticeable. For others, symptoms can be debilitating and lead to life-threatening ... [Read More]
Facebook Live: COVID-19 & Immunosuppressants
COVID-19 & Immunosuppressants: Why it Might Be Dangerous for People with Autoimmune Conditions to Stop Taking Their Medications Join us on Wednesday, 4/22/20 at 12:00PM CST Since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, Austin Gastroenterology has received a tremendous amount of calls from concerned patients asking if they should discontinue their immunosuppressant medications or infusion therapy. To help support patients with autoimmune conditions such as Inflammatory ... [Read More]
Crohn’s and Colitis: Is There New Hope?
By Dr. Harry J. Thomas “Suffering in silence” is commonly shared by those afflicted with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Sufferers opt not to mention their physical pain to friends, family, or coworkers, much less seek expert medical attention before something like an ER visit or hospitalization occurs. They bend to social stigma against acknowledging and discussing “bathroom diseases.” But as World IBD Day on May 19th approaches, those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) face a ... [Read More]