May is Celiac Awareness Month and here at Austin Gastro, we want you to love your guts. Dr. John Tsai answers some of the most common questions he gets from patients about celiac disease and gluten in a recent Facebook Live event. Nearly 3 million Americans are affected by celiac disease and 18 million Americans can be affected by gluten sensitivity. Most of us know gluten and celiac disease go hand-in-hand, but what exactly is celiac disease and how does it differ from gluten ... [Read More]
Gastroenterology
How Does The Digestive System Work?
One of the most important systems in the body is the digestive system. Without it, there would be no converting of the food we eat into energy or the elimination of toxins from the body. A healthy digestive system is invaluable. If you’re curious as to how the digestive system works, here it is. The Digestive System The digestive system is divided into 2 sections: the upper GI tract and lower GI tract. It includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and small and ... [Read More]
Gluten Sensitivity: Causes and Risk Factors
If you have a sensitivity to gluten, you are not alone. It is estimated that 18 million Americans are affected, which is 6 times the amount of those with confirmed celiac disease. Although the causes and risk factors for gluten sensitivity are still not entirely known, there are a number of theories that suggest why gluten, and certain compounds found in grains, may trigger symptoms in some people. What Is Gluten? Gluten is a protein found naturally in grain plants such as wheat, barley, and ... [Read More]
Facebook Live: COVID-19 & Immunosuppressants
COVID-19 & Immunosuppressants: Why it Might Be Dangerous for People with Autoimmune Conditions to Stop Taking Their Medications Join us on Wednesday, 4/22/20 at 12:00PM CST Since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, Austin Gastroenterology has received a tremendous amount of calls from concerned patients asking if they should discontinue their immunosuppressant medications or infusion therapy. To help support patients with autoimmune conditions such as Inflammatory ... [Read More]
IBS versus IBD
IBS and IBD – how are these two conditions different? Many people incorrectly assume both these conditions are the same. IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and IBD stands for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. They are two distinct conditions with causes and symptoms that sometimes overlap. Determining which of the two conditions you have is important. Otherwise, you won't be able to find treatments that will actually help you get relief. Let’s talk about IBS and IBD to clear the ... [Read More]
