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 to consumers has grown like wildfire in recent years. The most well-known among them is 23andMe, which offers a health and ancestry saliva-based DNA test for about $200. Other companies ... [Read More]
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Upper vs. Lower GI Tract: What Are They?
The path food takes in the body, in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, starts with the mouth and ends with the anus (rectum). The GI tract is divided into two main sections: the upper GI tract and the lower GI tract. The upper GI tract is generally considered to be the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and finally the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The lower GI tract runs from the small intestine to the large intestine (colon) to the anus. Let’s take a look at these sections of the ... [Read More]
A Day in the Life of a GI Doctor
We’ve all suffered from an unsettled stomach at some point in our lives. But for some people, digestive issues aren’t just a fluke; they stem from a much larger issue. Whether you “power through” despite persistent heartburn – or are in a state of perpetual constipation, you may have made a visit to a gastroenterologist, or GI doctor. Requiring a unique blend of cognitive and manual skills, physicians in the field of gastroenterology diagnose, treat, and provide preventive care for a wide ... [Read More]
What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
We all have the occasional stomach ache or gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort. But if the problem becomes persistent or the pain gets worse, it’s time to seek a medical evaluation – it may be an issue in the intestines, or bowels. The two most frequently diagnosed types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Let’s take a deeper look into these two conditions, what they are, and how they can be treated. Types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease The two main ... [Read More]
Stomach Flu vs. Food Poisoning
Whether you’re keeled over with stomach pains or making regular visits to the porcelain “throne,” you may have stopped to wonder what caused this wave of sickness. Stomach flu and food poisoning have many similarities, so they often leave those affected stumped as to the culprit. Was it the fast food you ate on Friday, or did you come into contact with the stomach flu while babysitting a sick toddler? To make an accurate diagnosis, it’s important to stay abreast of your symptoms; and as always, ... [Read More]
