Do you experience feelings of bloating, nausea, gas, cramping, and diarrhea after consuming dairy products? If so, you probably have lactose intolerance – and while its symptoms can be troublesome, it is generally not dangerous. Let’s talk about some of the things you can do to keep your symptoms at bay if you are lactose…
North Shore Gastroenterology
Tips for Living with Lactose Intolerance
If eating dairy foods or drinking milk causes you to experience abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and nausea, you may be one of 6.1 million Americans who are lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is an inability to digest lactose – the main type of sugar found in dairy products. Lactose intolerance occurs when your gut produces either a…
When to Consider Getting Tested for Lactose Intolerance
If after consuming some of your favorite dairy foods – such as ice cream or milkshakes – you always find yourself needing a trip to the bathroom, you may be lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is defined as the inability to digest lactose, which is the main type of sugar found in dairy products. The small…
When Should You Start Screening if You Have a Family History of Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women in the United States. This prevalence has prompted experts to update their screening guidelines: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), in particular, recommends that adults with average risk for colorectal cancer get routine screening starting at age 45. However, does…
Lactose Intolerance vs. Dairy Allergy: What’s the Difference?
It describes many of us: Every time you drink milk or consume something which is considered a dairy product, you feel ill. Sometimes, you feel bloated, have diarrhea, and have abdominal pain. Most people with these symptoms assume they are lactose intolerant. But how can you tell whether your uncomfortable symptoms are due to a…
What Does a Gastroenterology Specialist Treat?
A gastroenterology specialist, also known as a gastroenterologist or a GI doctor, is a physician who specializes in the diagnoses, treatment, and prevention of diseases and disorders affecting the entire digestive system—the mouth and salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and rectum. If you’re experiencing persistent abdominal pain or cramping,…
When should you get a colon cancer screening?
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. In spite of that, colon cancer-related deaths are dropping, which is partly attributed to routine colon cancer screenings. What is A Colon Cancer Screening? A health screening is defined…
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…
How to Choose Your Next GI Doctor
Bloating, constipation, heartburn, and stomach pain are symptoms that usually disappear on their own. However, frequent or severe cases require a consultation with a gastroenterologist or GI doctor. If you haven’t been to a gastroenterologist before, it can be confusing deciding how to choose one. You want to select a doctor who is a good…
Colon Cancer Screening: Is It Right for You?
Colon cancer is among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. It starts when healthy cells in the large intestine (colon) develop harmful changes in their DNA. Over time, these changes can damage the DNA, rendering the cells unable to properly grow and divide. Damage to their DNA essentially causes the cells…