gastrointestinal disorders

What Causes Hepatitis B?

There are approximately 1.2 million people in the United States who have hepatitis B, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a division of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). This is a type of liver infection that is caused by the hepatitis B virus, or HBV. There are two

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What is a Peptic Ulcer and How Do I Treat It?

A peptic ulcer is an open sore that develops on the inside lining of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. Peptic ulcers also include gastric ulcers which form on the inside of the stomach and duodenal ulcers that develop in the upper portion of the small intestine. Symptoms of a Peptic

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Managing Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is both a digestive disease and an immune disorder. When a person with celiac disease eats a food that contains gluten – which is a protein found in certain grains – the antibodies created by the condition attack when the gluten reaches your small intestine. This response eventually damages the lining of the

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Living Without a Gallbladder

Did you know that you can live without a gallbladder? Many people do. Gallbladder removal surgery, or cholecystectomy, is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. It is a very common procedure and may be recommended to patients with symptoms associated with gallstones. There are an estimated 300,000 gallstone removal procedures performed annually in the United

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What Does Your Liver Do?

The liver is one of the largest organs in the body. It weighs nearly 3 pounds and is located on the right side of the upper abdomen. It is a reddish-brown color, has a rubbery texture, and is protected under the rib cage. The liver is located close to the gallbladder, pancreas, and small intestine.

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What to Expect During Your Colon Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer (colon and rectal cancer) is always among the top five most common types of cancer, which is why it is so important to get screened. It is generally recommended for people to begin getting screened at age 50, or sooner if this type of cancer is in the patient’s family history. There are

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Facts About Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is projected to cost the lives of over 50,000 Americans in 2019. It is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in men and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths when the statistics for men and women are combined. Recent decades have seen a decline in the number of deaths from colon cancer due

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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

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A Crohn’s and Colitis Disease Patient Story: Meet Erin Bush

Erin Bush understands the importance of “Making the Invisible Visible,” the theme for this year’s World IBD Day. Since birth, there were always certain foods that bothered Erin’s stomach so her mother naturally modified Erin’s diet accordingly. Erin continued this way of eating throughout her childhood, knowing that if she ate certain foods she would

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Do At-Home Genetic Tests Offer Reliable Disease Screening?

Genetic testing is no longer a rarity. Once only ordered by doctors, genetic tests are now more accessible and affordable than ever before. It’s not uncommon to know someone who has recently given – or received – a DNA testing kit as gift. And it’s no wonder. The sheer number of testing kits available directly

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