The colon, which is the large intestine, is a key part of the digestive system. Its function is to remove water, salt, and nutrients from partially digested food, and to prepare waste for elimination. Your risk of developing colon issues increases with age, and it is now recommended that you have your first colonoscopy at age 45. If you have colon cancer or rectal cancer in your family (grandparent, parent, sibling, or child), then your doctor may recommend that you have your first ... [Read More]
Gastroenterology
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 will experience heartburn symptoms, and it is usually due to something they consumed that triggered it. Spicy, acidic, fried, and fatty foods and caffeinated ... [Read More]
Tips for Better Digestive Health
Did you know that a significant part of your immune system is housed in your gut? What this means is that if your digestive health gets compromised, this can have a ripple effect on your entire body and leave you susceptible to many health conditions, such as chronic fatigue, respiratory infections, diabetes, and even cancer. So how do you safeguard your digestive health then? Here are some strategies that you can incorporate into your daily life to keep your gut in tip-top condition. Have a ... [Read More]
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 understand how hepatitis A is transmitted, you may reduce your chances of acquiring it or passing it along if you should happen to get it. Poor-Quality Drinking Water or Well ... [Read More]
Bowel Preparation Needed for a Colonoscopy
Specialists in gastroenterology regularly recommend that patients have a colonoscopy as a diagnostic tool, especially once you reach age 50. A healthcare practitioner may also advise having this test to assess for colon cancer because of certain indicators, vulnerabilities, or family history. Preparation for a colonoscopy has become greatly improved even just over recent years, so it is much less of an ordeal than it was before. Let’s talk about some of the key recommendations for preparing ... [Read More]
