Your gallbladder is part of your digestive system, storing bile that was formed by your liver and then releasing the bile into the small intestine to aid in digestion. If the bile becomes too concentrated, contains too much cholesterol, or contains too much bilirubin (a residual from red blood cells), then gallstones can form in your gallbladder. These stones can cause abdominal pain, back pain, or even shoulder pain. Let’s talk about the types of gallstones, how they form from bile, and ... [Read More]
abdominal pain
When Would I Need an Endoscopy?
There are many reasons your doctor may recommend an endoscopy. An endoscopy is a procedure conducted by gastroenterologists – doctors specializing in diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract – to evaluate your digestive system and any suspected issues like infection, tissue damage or cancer. Two types are commonly performed: an upper endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD) or lower GI endoscopy. As their names imply, the first explores the upper section of the ... [Read More]
