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…
North Shore Gastroenterology
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 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…
H. Pylori and Its Effect on Your Digestive Health
Helicobacter pylori, commonly referred to as H. pylori, is a bacterium that infects the stomach and the small intestines. It is very common – more than 50% of the worldwide population is believed to have it – but most people are unaware that they have it. You might have an H. pylori infection and not…
Five Types of Crohn’s Disease
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1.3% of adults in the United States have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s disease is an IBD that causes your digestive tract to become irritated and inflamed. When any part of this pathway gets irritated and swollen, your body’s ability to break down food…
When Do You Need to Get Tested for Lactose Intolerance
Your digestive organs ensure that what you eat and drink are absorbed and converted into energy and nutrients your body can use, while waste materials are eliminated. However, the body may sometimes be unable to digest certain types of food or sugar, like lactose. As a result, you may experience symptoms such as gas and…
Symptoms of Heartburn
Heartburn is a common gastrointestinal condition that feels like burning in the chest. Although occasional heartburn is not usually a cause for concern, frequent episodes may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – which, if left untreated, can lead to serious medical complications. The sensation of heartburn is caused by stomach acid traveling…
When To Get A Lactose Intolerance Test?
A lactose intolerance test is used to measure how well your body can digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Normally, the human body is able to process lactose, but some individuals cannot digest lactose properly, which can lead to symptoms, such as gas, stomach cramps, and bloating. What Is Lactose…
Benefits of Seeing A GI Specialist
A gastrointestinal issue can affect the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, and colon. All of these body parts and organs play a part in the digestive process. A gastroenterologist commonly referred to as a GI specialist is a physician you see when you have symptoms that point to a problem in the gastrointestinal tract….
Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most-common type of cancer among Americans, after skin cancer, lung cancer, and prostate/breast cancer. It is recommended that all adults have a colonoscopy once they reach age 50, or sooner if they have colon cancer or colorectal cancer in their family history. Invariably, colon cancer screening continues to save thousands…