Gastroenterology
Y ou may be familiar with terms like heartburn or acid reflux. They can be unpleasant to experience, but they are often misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, they aren't medical conditions—but they can be symptoms of one. Both are often symptoms of a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD is a chronic disease, meaning that it can last a long time and become worse if it isn't treated correctly. It develops when food, acid and bile in your stomach move up into y...
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6/24/2024 10:25:00 AM
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Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly form of cancer in the United States. Adults ages 65 to 74 are more likely than younger people to get it. But recent data shows that colorectal cancer has increased among people ages 20 to 49. Routine colorectal cancer screening is important. Screening can help your provider find cancer early, when it's easier to treat. In fact, screening might help them find and remove suspicious growths before cancer can form. How colorectal cancer begins Colorectal c...
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3/22/2024 5:54:00 PM
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If you're nearing or past 45 years of age, then it's time to check in with your Family Medicine or Internal Medicine provider about colorectal cancer screening. Understandably, you're probably not looking forward to that conversation, but it’s far too important to put off. Following a routine screening schedule can not only give you peace of mind, but it might save your life. You may even have more testing options than you realized. Colorectal screening helps protect against cancer in two ...
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3/27/2023 9:28:00 AM
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Do you have—or suspect you may have—irritable bowel syndrome IBS ? Here are five FAQs about IBS that might help you better understand this difficult disorder. 1. What is IBS? IBS is best understood as a long-term or recurrent disorder of gastrointestinal GI functioning. Functional GI disorders, which doctors now call disorders of gut-brain interactions, are related to problems with how your brain and your gut work together. These problems can cause your gut to be more sensitive and a...
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4/5/2021 9:43:00 AM
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Not counting skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. for both men and women. But as common as it is, how much do you know about it? Here are answers to four frequent questions about colorectal cancer. What you learn might save your life: Q: How does colorectal cancer develop? A: Colorectal cancers usually begin as noncancerous growths called polyps. It can take years before polyps turn into cancer. Q: Who's most at risk? A: About 90% of all cases of the disease...
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2/23/2021 11:03:00 AM
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Heartburn happens. But if it happens too frequently, you might have a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. With GERD, that burning feeling in the chest and throat typically occurs two or more times a week. It happens when stomach acids rise up into the esophagus. Over time, severe GERD may damage the esophagus, which can increase the risk of cancer. So if you have ongoing heartburn, it's important to tell your doctor. If your doctor discovers the presence of GER...
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11/17/2020 3:24:00 PM
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After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common type and cause of cancer death among men. Assessing your risks and symptoms for developing the disease can be deceptive. Age is by far the most common risk factor for developing prostate cancer as the disease is most prominent among men who are over the age of 65. Other factors – including family history and being an African American – are also common among those with prostate cancer, but definitely does not guarantee you will dev...
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9/25/2020 3:02:00 PM
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Colorectal cancer is one of the top cancer killers in the U.S., but experts agree that it is also one of the most preventable through lifestyle changes. The Watson Clinic Foundation offers the following six cancer-fighting strategies which have been recommended by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Cancer Society: 1. Slim down Those extra pounds, especially around your midsection, are a major risk factor for colorectal cancer. You can lose the gut by exercising frequentl...
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2/22/2019 11:07:00 AM
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Heartburn. Almost everybody has experienced it, but there are a few things you might not know about it. 1. What is it? Heartburn doesn't actually affect your heart. It’s a burning sensation that’s located just below your breastbone, which might eventually spread to your neck or throat. The condition usually occurs after eating a big meal or while lying down. It can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. 2. Why do you get it? When food or liquid enters your stomach, a band o...
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4/25/2018 11:25:00 AM
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We know you dread it. But the test, which detects colon cancer, could save your life. Just ask Central Florida resident Pat Thorbin. In my mid-50’s, I decided to have my colonoscopy, she recounts. I had no family history of the disease, no symptoms and no reason to believe anything would come of it. But after years of working in healthcare, I’ve always been a big supporter of preventative screenings, so I knew I shouldn’t hold off having a colonoscopy any longer. Pat had partak...
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3/3/2015 5:45:00 PM
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If you've been avoiding a colonoscopy, here are some answers to common questions that may convince you to give it a try, courtesy of Dr. Louis Saco, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Watson Clinic. Q: Why should I get one? A: Colonoscopy can find cancer—the earlier the better. It can also find polyps, which are abnormal growths that can become cancer. With colonoscopy, if you get the polyps out, you eliminate the risk for colon cancer. It also gives your doctor immediate, direct acce...
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3/3/2015 5:36:00 PM
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