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]
Austin Gastroenterology
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]
10 Austin Gastro Physicians Named “Top Doctors” by Austin Monthly Magazine
Each year, Austin Monthly magazine publishes its list of Top Doctors in Austin. The list of physicians recognized in the list come from nearly specialty in town, from Allergy & Immunology all the way through Vascular Surgery. Of the thirteen Gastroenterologists named in the 2019 list, Austin Gastroenterology physicians nabbed ten spots. Austin Monthly partners with a group called Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a healthcare research company, to determine their list of Top Doctors. Austin ... [Read More]
Can Medication Cause Liver Damage?
With the help of enzymes, the liver metabolizes food into nutrients for the body, converts toxins into harmless substances and helps eliminate waste from the body. With a fully functional liver the body metabolism is balanced and works efficiently. However, various factors can throw the system out of gear and cause dangerous liver problems and damage, including drugs and dietary supplements. Studies show that more cases of acute liver failure are caused by prescription and over-the-counter ... [Read More]
IBD vs. IBS
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) broadly refers to chronic inflammation of the intestines. It’s often conflated with a noninflammatory condition called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Both can cause diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and cramping. Although the two disorders share similar names and symptoms, they are different conditions requiring different treatments. The exact causes of IBD and IBS are unknown. Researchers believe they are the result of an autoimmune reaction. Stress ... [Read More]
