Gastrointestinal issues are hard to ignore. They almost always make themselves known, if not through pain, then through vomiting and issues with bowel movements. It is not always easy to determine where the pain is coming from, because there are many organs that make up the gastrointestinal system. For this, you need a specialist to determine what is causing your symptoms. A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders and diseases of the digestive ... [Read More]
Austin Gastroenterology
How Frequently Should a Colonoscopy be Performed?
A colonoscopy is a gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. The procedure entails doing a “prep,” which helps empty the bowels completely for accurate viewing. During a colonoscopy, the doctor uses a lighted, flexible instrument to view the rectum and colon, and check for abnormalities that may point to cancer. Precancerous polyps can also be removed during a colonoscopy. One of the most frequently asked questions about a colonoscopy is how often it should be performed, and the answer ... [Read More]
How Alcohol Can Affect Digestive Health
Alcohol could be a tonic or poison, depending on its dose. Moderate drinking can be healthy, but excessive drinking could facilitate various gut-related health issues. Let's take a closer look at how alcohol can affect your digestive health and what preventive measures you can take to maintain good digestive health. How Your Body Digests Alcohol Metabolism is characterized by a series of chemical reactions in the living cells that convert food into energy for life processes and normal ... [Read More]
Hepatitis A and How It Is Transmitted
Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver caused by toxins, alcohol use, certain medication, and viruses. Viruses are considered the most common cause of hepatitis. There are five distinct types of hepatitis caused by different types of hepatitis viruses. Let’s talk about hepatitis A, which is caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV), the transmission of this disease, and where you can go to get vaccine and treatment for hepatitis A in Austin, Texas. What Is Hepatitis A? Hepatitis A is a highly ... [Read More]
Is My Heartburn Severe Enough to Require Treatment?
Heartburn literally feels like burning in your chest. The burning is a result of stomach acids backing up into the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) should seal itself to prevent this from happening, but for those who suffer from heartburn, it relaxes and allows acid reflux to develop. Almost every person at one point will experience heartburn symptoms, and it is usually due to something they consumed that triggered it. Spicy, acidic, fried, and fatty foods and caffeinated ... [Read More]