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 Ulcer A lot of people who have peptic ulcers are asymptomatic – which means they experience no symptoms. The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is a dull pain in one particular part of ... [Read More]
Gastroenterology
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 small intestine. This can lead to malabsorption of important nutrients, fatigue, bloating, anemia, and diarrhea. The malabsorption of nutrients can cause malnutrition, ... [Read More]
Living Without a Gall Bladder
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 States. If your gallstones have become a problem lately, ask your doctor about gallbladder removal surgery. What Your Gallbladder ... [Read More]
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 to improved treatment measures and an increased focus on regular screenings beginning at age 50, or earlier if a genetic risk exists. When caught early, colon cancer is highly ... [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]