Celiac disease, or sprue, is a digestive disorder affecting millions of Americans. It is characterized by intolerance of a protein called gluten and poor absorption of critical nutrients, and produces symptoms of gas, bloating weight loss, and more. So, this inherited GI condition requires careful dietary management. Let’s learn more about celiac disease, how a…
digestive disorders
How Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diagnosed?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), also known as nervous stomach, is one of the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal conditions in the United States. This syndrome refers to a group of uncomfortable digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, excessive gas, and cramps. If you have digestive symptoms like these and are wondering if and how a gastroenterologist…
The Best Celiac Disease Treatment Options
If you experience digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and/or gas after eating gluten products, the odds are high that you might be one of 2.5 million Americans who have undiagnosed celiac disease. Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is a digestive and autoimmune condition in which your immune system…
What could be the cause of my sudden heartburn?
Heartburn can be described as a burning sensation in the chest. It also causes a sore throat, a sensation of something stuck in your throat, and a sour taste in the mouth. Symptoms of heartburn usually occur shortly after eating. What Causes Heartburn? What you eat or drink can trigger heartburn. Usually, a large meal…
3 Worst Foods that Can Exacerbate Your Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem that occurs when the cells that line the small intestine are unable to secrete enough lactase, an enzyme responsible for properly breaking down lactose (the natural sugar found in milk) and allowing it to get easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Having lactose intolerance means that lactose sits undigested…
Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Colorectal Cancer
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, affecting men and women equally. In 2017, the agency reported 141,425 cases of colorectal cancer. Such alarming prevalence can be ascribed to the mysterious, elusive nature of the disease: researchers are yet…
How to Prepare for a Lactose Intolerance Test
Are you a milk lover, but you just can’t stand the nasty discomforts—diarrhea, stomach pain, and bloating—that you experience after each time you drink even half a glass of it? The culprit behind your “gassy ordeal” could be a condition called lactose intolerance. This is a common digestive problem in which your stomach is unable…
Is a Colonoscopy Painful?
A colonoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that enables doctors to view the inside of the large intestine. This procedure is carried out for a number of reasons but is most frequently used as a screening tool for cancer, polyps, and disease inside the colon. A conventional colonoscopy uses a scope, which is a long thin semi-flexible tube…
What Types of Testing Are Available for Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is when a person’s body is unable to properly digest lactose, which is a type of sugar found in dairy products. Your small intestines need to produce enough of the enzyme lactase in order to fully digest lactose, and people who are lactose-intolerant are generally deficient in this enzyme. The symptoms of lactose…
What to Know About At-Home Colon Cancer Screenings
It’s easier than ever to get a colon cancer screening. You can even do it from your own home. You receive the test, collect the sample, and send in your results. You can benefit from this because the test is noninvasive and can be done in the comfort and privacy of your home. However, before…