Red blood cells are a vital component of the blood, responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to all of the body’s tissues and structures.1 Anemia can occur when your body either doesn’t produce enough red blood cells, destroys them, or loses them through blood loss (faster than they can be replenished). If you’re receiving adequate levels of iron, vitamin B-12, folate, and other nutrients, these cells are generated in the spongy bone marrow nestled between your bones. While blood ... [Read More]
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Can You Prevent Colon Cancer?
Colorectal, or Colon Cancer, is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States – claiming 50,000 lives each year. But according to the American Cancer Society, it is also one of the most preventable, beatable, and treatable types of cancer. Staying informed about the risks and preventive measures is the best way to stay healthy. Here are some ways you can lower your risk of getting colon cancer. Early Screenings When it comes to successfully treating cancers – the early bird ... [Read More]
Dealing with Celiac Disease
More people than ever in the United States are being diagnosed with celiac disease. Yet, it is estimated that among the estimated one-in-141 people that have celiac disease, most still are not aware that they have the disorder. Once you receive a diagnosis that explains the multiple symptoms you have been experiencing, the next step is learning how to deal with celiac disease. It’s a lifelong process that takes some learning and adjustment. But, once you learn how to manage celiac disease, ... [Read More]
Chronic Pancreatitis Overview
Pancreatitis, the disease that 28-year-old Swedish DJ Avicii lived within the years before his recent death, is on the rise in the United States. Pancreatitis is characterized as inflammation in the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. Acute pancreatitis can come on suddenly, signaling a new and concerning problem. However, whether from lifestyle choices or a lingering health issue, chronic pancreatitis can build up until it becomes unbearable and even dangerous. The pancreas serves ... [Read More]
Ten Signs You Could be Anemic
If you suspect that you might be anemic, you might wonder what symptoms and signs to look for. Because anemia involves your blood, it can affect many different aspects of your health. Causes of Anemia Among its other functions, your blood carries oxygen to all parts of your body and your brain. The red blood cells are the transport vehicles for oxygen in your bloodstream. And within those red blood cells, a substance called hemoglobin makes that possible. If your red blood cells are damaged or ... [Read More]
What is Lynch Genetic Testing?
It is estimated that as many as 1 in 300 people have Lynch syndrome, but very few people even know what Lynch Syndrome is. Lynch Syndrome is a genetic disorder that increases the likelihood of developing certain types of cancer, most commonly colorectal cancer. The other name for the condition is hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). And because Lynch Syndrome is a dominant hereditary trait, if just one parent has the gene, the odds are very high that the condition will be ... [Read More]
Preparing for an Endoscopy: Do’s and Don’ts
Do you have ongoing nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain in the upper GI (gastrointestinal) region; gastric reflux, trouble swallowing, anemia or unexpected weight loss? If the answer is yes to any of these conditions, then you may need to undergo a gastroenterology procedure called an upper endoscopy, which is useful in finding the exact cause of your GI Tract problems. If your primary doctor recommends you get an upper endoscopy, there is no need to fret. An endoscopy is a common and safe ... [Read More]
The Ultimate Guide to Perfect Digestion
It’s hard to believe, but 70 million American suffer from a digestive disorder such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, diverticulosis, or one of many others. There are so many factors that affect our digestion, and even though it sounds funny, digestion, in turn, affects the whole body and our lives. The foods we eat, experiences we have, and environmental factors we expose ourselves to all have an effect on the digestive system. Read on for your ultimate guide to elusive, ... [Read More]
10 Diet Tips for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
If you are like the one if five Americans who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you know every bathroom along your well-traveled routes, and pretty much have given up on comfort food. IBS – also known as spastic colon or spastic bowel – is a chronic disorder that affects the muscle contractions of the bowel but is not characterized by intestinal inflammation, ulcers or bowel damage. That’s because IBS is not a disease – patients with IBS show no clinical signs of disease and often ... [Read More]
What to Expect Before and After a Colonoscopy
Have you been scheduled for a colonoscopy? Preparing for the procedure is going to be a process in itself, so pay close attention to what you need to do and get ready for the big day. While this may seem like a time-consuming procedure, keep in mind that while inconvenient, a colonoscopy is vital for your continued good health. This is the best way for a doctor to take a close look at part of your digestive system that sees a lot of action every day, and is often ignored when consulting a ... [Read More]
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