The statistics are alarming – colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed (after skin cancer and breast/prostate cancer), and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. This year, there will be an estimated 97,000 new cases of colon cancer. The good news is that a colonoscopy can help prevent colon cancer or find it at an early stage. Early detection is the key to survival. In fact, if caught early, colorectal cancer has a 9 ... [Read More]
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When to See a Doctor for Stomach Pain
Virtually everyone has experienced a stomach ache at some point in their lives. There are many reasons why you may experience stomach pain or abdominal pain. Some of the more common reasons include indigestion, a viral infection, constipation, or menstrual cramps. Believe it or not, stress can also cause stomach pain. While most stomach pain is harmless, sometimes abdominal pain can indicate a more serious issue. Let’s discuss when a stomach ache is just a stomach ache – and when you act ... [Read More]
Top Symptoms of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is a growing epidemic in our country. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States, with an estimated 97,000 new cases of colon cancer in 2018. This is why it is so important to be aware of the symptoms and to get early detection screenings. First, let’s look at the signs and symptoms of colon cancer. Keep in mind that many of the sign and symptoms of colon cancer are similar to ... [Read More]
Living with Acid Reflux
If you suffer from heartburn, frequent regurgitation or bloating, you may have gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), also known as acid reflux. Acid reflux often is brought on by excess mid-section fat putting pressure on the stomach, forcing the backflow of acid back up the esophagus. Acid reflux usually presents as a burning sensation in the chest and/or throat and may be accompanied by regurgitation of acid into the throat or mouth. Bloody or dark stools are also symptoms of the ... [Read More]
The Signs and Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
An estimated 500,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract, but primarily affects the small intestine. The start of the large intestine is also affected, though the disease can really affect any and all parts of the digestive tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, the rectum and anus; and are responsible for processing food as it passes through the body. The s ... [Read More]
What is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a form of irritable bowel disease that causes inflammation and irritation of the digestive system. The digestive system includes every organ between the mouth and anus that processes food: the esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum, and anus. For the more than half a million Americans who suffer from Crohn’s Disease, any day can present a bout with diarrhea, stomach cramps, and loss of appetite, weight loss and more. More definitively, Crohn’s disease can attack any part of th ... [Read More]
Correlation Between Coffee and Liver Disease
This might be the best news you have heard in some time: drinking coffee isn’t dangerous to your liver. In fact, there is some evidence that coffee actually is good for your liver, and drinking it could even reverse liver damage, but first, what is liver disease, and what exactly is the correlation between the liver and America’s favorite morning pick-me-up? Liver Disease Liver disease – cirrhosis – is a devastating complication of liver disease and is a leading cause of death in the Unit ... [Read More]
What is IBS?
According to the National Institutes of Health, Irritable bowel syndrome – IBS – “is a group of symptoms that occur together, including repeated pain in your abdomen and changes in your bowel movements, which may be diarrhea, constipation, or both.” In other words, IBS is defined by its symptoms rather than its cause. There’s good reason for that. The root cause hasn’t been defined. Medical science has not yet been able to pinpoint why IBS occurs, only that it does for some people and that the ... [Read More]
How Probiotics Help Your Gut Health
The ancient saying “food is medicine” is increasingly becoming a mantra in modern culture. More people understand that good health is best managed through conscious healthy food consumption. Many diseases are triggered or aggravated by unhealthy food habits, so maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is crucial. It can be an active weapon against disease – or a direct contributor. It helps in reducing inflammation and risks for diseases, both trivial and serious. Gut health also helps in burning ... [Read More]
What to Do if You Notice Rectal Bleeding
If you notice blood in your stool, it may have originated from anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, most often in the colon, rectum, or anus. The color of the blood may indicate the possible origin of the bleeding. Lesions close to the anus leak bright blood. The upper parts of the large intestine cause dark red or maroon blood. Bleeding from the stomach produces black and tarry stools called melena. If blood loss is severe, it may occur with the additional symptoms of weakness, dizziness, low ... [Read More]
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