DISCLAIMER
Please be advised that the information on this page provides only
basic facts concerning the common gastrointestinal and liver
diseases. This information must not be regarded as a substitute for
an appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment which should always
be provided by a licensed physician. If you suspect that you or a
person you know may have a gastrointestinal or liver disease, you
may contact us at 281-395-8688, option 2 to schedule an appointment. You may also ask
your primary care physician for medical advice.
The following topics ore covered on this page
(please click on the respective topic to go directly to it):
GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common disorder of the
upper gastrointestinal tract. It is caused by a prolonged presence
of acid-containing liquid from the stomach within the esophagus. The
most common symptom of
GERD
is heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest behind the
breast bone often experienced after meals. Other symptoms include
upper abdominal pain, chest pain which sometimes can mimic a heart
attack, excessive burping, and acid taste in the mouth. Stomach acid
may spill from upper esophagus into the upper respiratory tract and
cause a hoarse voice, chronic cough, asthma-like symptoms, and sore
throat. Serious consequences of prolonged GERD include
Barrett’s esophagus, severe inflammation of esophagus (esophagitis),
esophageal ulcers, esophageal stricture (narrowing of the esophagus
and subsequent difficulties with swallowing), and even esophageal
cancer. For detailed description of GERD and associated
complications as well as methods used to diagnose and treat GERD
please click on the links to patient-oriented sites of the
American
Gastroenterology Association and the
American
College of Gastroenterology.
GASTRIC AND DUODENAL ULCERS
Peptic ulcers are small areas of the lining of the stomach and
duodenum which have been digested by the gastric juices and acid.
One of the most important risk factors for developing peptic ulcers
is infection with a bacterium called
Helicobacter Pylori. Most people infected by these bacteria do
not know about the infection until they develop peptic ulcers or
inflammation of the gastric lining called
gastritis. The most common symptom of peptic ulcer is a burning
pain in the upper abdomen (just below the breast bone), sometimes
associated with nausea, vomiting and weight loss. Serious
complications of peptic ulcers include bleeding (patient may have
black, tarry stools and may vomit blood or dark, coffee-ground
material) and perforation (a hole in the stomach or duodenal wall
which usually requires immediate surgery). Occasionally,
stomach ulcer may signal an underlying stomach cancer. For detailed
description of peptic ulcer disease and associated complications as
well as methods used to diagnose and treat ulcers please click on
the links to patient-oriented sites of the
American
Gastroenterology Association and the
American College of Gastroenterology.
IRRITABLE BOWEL
SYNDROME
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the colon
(large bowel). It is characterized by episodes of abdominal pain,
bloating, excessive intestinal gas, and abnormal bowel habits. Some
patients may have constipation whereas others may have diarrhea, at
times severe. Yet other patients may experience episodes of
constipation alternating with episodes of diarrhea. Since many
serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract may present in a way
similar to IBS, the initial diagnostic work up is focused on
searching for other serious medical problems. Some symptoms like
presence of blood in stool or significant weight loss always warrant
a thorough diagnostic investigation. Treatment of IBS includes
modification of dietary habits, inclusion of fiber into the diet,
changes in lifestyle, and use of medications. For details concerning
symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of IBS please click on the links
to the patient-oriented sites of the
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases and
the
American College of Gastroenterology.
CONSTIPATION
Constipation is a common disorder of the
gastrointestinal tract. Healthy people usually have a bowel moment
once daily or every other day. Although the “normal” frequency of
bowel moments may vary from person to person, fewer than 3 bowel
movements per week usually indicates constipation. Most people with
constipation also complain of small, hard stools, abdominal
discomfort and abdominal bloating. Constipation may be caused or
aggravated by many factors including medications, diet, and life
style. It may also be associated with other medical conditions.
Because of many possible underlying causes, all patients with
constipation lasting for more than one to two weeks should be
evaluated by a physician. Treatment of constipation may include
changes in diet, lifestyle modifications, and use of over-the-counter or prescription medications. For some patients treatment of
the underlying medical disease may be necessary as well. For details
concerning causes, symptoms, and treatment of constipation please
click on the links to the patient-oriented sites of the
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
and the
American Gastroenterology Association.
INTESTINAL GAS PROBLEMS
All people produce gas within their gastrointestinal tract. Gas
comes from breakdown of ingested food by harmless intestinal
bacteria. Moreover, all people swallow varying amounts of air when
talking or eating or drinking. Intestinal gas may be released by
burping as well as by passing it through the rectum. Although having
and releasing gas usually does not indicate a serious disease, many
people believe they have a serious problem with gas and flatulence.
Excessive production and release of intestinal gas may be
embarrassing and may significantly decrease the quality of life.
Finally, a new onset problem with intestinal gas may at times
indicate development of a serious medical disease. For details
concerning causes and treatment of excessive intestinal gas please
click on the links to the patient-oriented sites of the
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases and
the
American
Gastroenterology Association.
ULCERATIVE COLITIS AND CROHN’S DISEASE (INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES)
The term “Inflammatory Bowel Disease” encompasses two distinctive
diseases: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Both diseases may
present with various degree of abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in
stool, fever and weight loss. The underlying cause of these symptoms
is inflammation of the lining of various segments of the
gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative colitis only affects the colon
(large bowel), whereas Crohn’s disease may affect the colon as well
as the small bowel and - occasionally - even the stomach and the
mouth. In most patients, Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a chronic,
life-long condition with alternating episodes of lack of symptoms
(called remissions) and of exacerbation of symptoms (flares). The
mainstay treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease is by using
medications, some of which may have to be administered
intravenously. In some patients surgery may be necessary for
treatment. For details concerning causes, symptoms, and treatment of
ulcerative colitis please click on the links to the patient-oriented
sites of the
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases,
American
Gastroenterology Association and the
Crohn’s & Colitis
Foundation Of America. For information concerning Crohn’s
disease go the patient-oriented sites of the
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases,
the
American
Gastroenterology Association and the
Crohn’s & Colitis
Foundation Of America.
COLORECTAL CANCER
AND COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting
Americans. In men, colorectal cancer is the second cause of death
from cancer following lung cancer. In women, it is a second cause of
death from cancers following breast cancer. In the year 2005, more
than 145,000 Americans were diagnosed with this disease and over
56,000 died from it. These numbers are especially troubling in view
of the fact that good screening methods are available. It has been
estimated that over 60% of deaths from the colorectal cancer could
be prevented if all eligible people were screened for this disease
at appropriate intervals. Unfortunately, early colorectal cancer is
usually asymptomatic. At the time patients start having symptoms
like abdominal pain, anemia (low blood count), weight loss or
changes in bowel habits, the tumor in the colon or rectum is usually
large and, in many cases, has already spread to other organs. At
this stage the prognosis is usually poor. Screening can detect early
cancer and, more importantly, also the pre-cancerous lesions called
polyps. Most people are not aware of having polyps. During
colonoscopy - which is currently the best method for screening for
colorectal cancer - polyps may be detected and safely removed. For
details concerning causes, symptoms, and treatment of the colorectal
cancer please click on the links to the patient-oriented sites of
the
American Cancer Society, and the
American
Gastroenterology Association.
There are many methods which may be used to screen patients for colorectal cancer. These methods include testing stool for occult (hidden) blood, performing barium enema (an X-ray of the colon filled with liquid contrast and air), having a specially designed cat scan of the abdomen (“virtual colonoscopy”), or undergoing a flexible sigmoidoscopy or full colonoscopy. As mentioned above, the best currently available screening procedure is colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is a very sensitive, reliable, and relatively safe procedure. Moreover, colonoscopy is the only screening procedure during which the pre-cancerous polyps and even small cancers may be successfully removed. For details concerning available screening methods and their risks and benefits please click on the link to the patients-oriented site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Our practice offers a new approach to screening for colorectal cancer called Open Access Colonoscopy, which makes screening colonoscopy much easier and less time consuming. In this program, relatively healthy patients eligible for screening for colorectal cancer may have colonoscopy performed without prior visit to our Clinic. For details concerning our Open Access Colonoscopy program please click on the link to the Open Access page on this site.
CHRONIC VIRAL
HEPATITIS
Chronic viral hepatitis is a liver disease caused by infection with
a virus. Many viruses can cause this disease. The most common
chronic viral hepatitis in the
OTHER GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES
You can find useful information concerning many other
gastrointestinal diseases in the patient-oriented sites of the
National
Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, the
American
Gastroenterology Association, the
American
College of Gastroenterology, and the
American Liver Foundation.