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]
gastrointestinal disorders
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]
A Crohn’s and Colitis Disease Patient Story: Meet Erin Bush
Erin Bush understands the importance of “Making the Invisible Visible,” the theme for this year’s World IBD Day. Since birth, there were always certain foods that bothered Erin's stomach so her mother naturally modified Erin's diet accordingly. Erin continued this way of eating throughout her childhood, knowing that if she ate certain foods she would most certainly suffer the consequences later. It never occurred to them that Erin could actually be suffering from a serious inflammatory bowel ... [Read More]
Do At-Home Genetic Tests Offer Reliable Disease Screening?
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]
Upper vs. Lower GI Tract: What Are They?
The path food takes in the body, in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, starts with the mouth and ends with the anus (rectum). The GI tract is divided into two main sections: the upper GI tract and the lower GI tract. The upper GI tract is generally considered to be the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and finally the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The lower GI tract runs from the small intestine to the large intestine (colon) to the anus. Let’s take a look at these sections of the ... [Read More]
