Preparing for a ColonoscopyPrepare for your colonoscopy with these simple tips from Dr. Lynn Butterly, Director of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States -- yet it's one of the few we can prevent. Prevention and detection are the keys to beating colorectal cancer.
The colonoscopy uses a thin, flexible tube through which your doctor can detect polyps with a tiny camera, and even remove them without discomfort in a matter of seconds. Preparing as effectively as possible for a colonoscopy gives your doctor the best chance of finding even the smallest polyps.
Your doctor will prescribe you the "prep" medication that you will drink beforehand, but you will also want to have other materials on hand for the "clear liquid diet" that you'll have to be on as well.
Clear liquids include apple juice, ginger ale, Jell-O, broth or bouillon. Hard candies may even be OK as well.
You also may want to have extra toilet paper, special wipes, or magazines or books.
Drink one glass every 15 minutes or so until you feel full, then take a break to let it work through your system. Don't get discouraged as you work your way through the jug; just remember, possibly having undiscovered colorectal cancer will be harder than this preparation!
The "split prep" is another option. You would do most of your prep in the afternoon and night, then finish the prep first thing in the morning, if your endoscopy center recommends it. Remember that you have to finish the prep at least an hour and a half before your appointment.
You can flavor your prep with a colorless flavor of Crystal Light (flavor each glass, not the whole jug). We encourage you to use more than one flavor for variety's sake.
Again, your own endoscopist may have different recommendations than what we have suggested here. Check with your provider for specific instructions.
Learn more about our colorectal screening program at http://bit.ly/dh_colo.
Understanding Acid Reflux Disease (Health Tip)You know about heartburn, of course. But did you know that persistent bouts may point to a disease called GERD?
Evidence and Recommendations for Imaging Liver Fat in Children, Based on Systematic ReviewDrs. Schwimmer, Awai and Newton discuss their manuscript "Evidence and Recommendations for Imaging Liver Fat in Children, Based on Systematic Review." To view abstract http://bit.ly/QgQibX.
Peptic (Stomach) UlcerIf you like this animation, LIKE us on Facebook: http://www.nucleusinc.com/facebook
This 3D medical animation on peptic (stomach) ulcers describes common locations of ulcers: esophageal ulcers located in your esophagus, gastric ulcers located in the antrum of your stomach, and duodenal ulcers located in the portion of your stomach connected to your small intestines.
Also shown are the different causes and complications of ulcers, medications, and three different surgical treatments for ulcers: Vagotomy, Antrectomy, and Pyloroplasty.
Dr. Ben Infantino, Pediatric GastroenterologyGet to know Dr. Ben Infantino, pediatric gastroenterology
For more about Dr. Infantino: http://doctors.nebraskamed.com/doctors/benjamin-infantino
About UNMC Physicians:
UNMC Physicians has more than 450 doctors in 50 specialties and sub-specialties. Many of our physicians offer lifesaving treatments and services not found elsewhere in Nebraska. Through our partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, we are committed to providing our patients with the latest innovative solutions for their health care needs.
Gastroenterology Institute | GI Doctor Beverly HillsVisit us at http://www.gidoctor.com/
Gastroenterology is changing rapidly in the 21st century, and at the Gastroenterology Institute of Southern California we provide the most up-to-date, skilled, and experienced services in this important medical specialty. Dr. Berookim's practice is devoted to the full range of GI diseases and conditions. These include the evaluation and treatment of heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abnormal liver tests and precancerous or cancerous growths of the GI tract. Evaluation of such problems is usually performed first by obtaining a history and performing a physical examination, and then if indicated by obtaining additional blood tests, radiological studies, or by performing an endoscopic examination.
Dr. Berookim performs the latest diagnostic testing in gastroenterology and employs modern treatment techniques to treat such cases as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, difficulty in swallowing and hepatitis. In addition, he encourages screening for colon cancer and is committed to colon cancer prevention. We believe our patients deserve to have the information needed to make good choices about their digestive care. Our goal is to educate each patient and begin a tailored treatment program with the highest quality of care available. Whatever your digestive trouble, we'll work together to find the answers that will reassure you and bring you relief. We are dedicated to preserving your digestive health and providing the advanced care you deserve.
We work closely with our patients and their families, with referring physicians, and with consulting specialists. We take pride in providing you with a comfortable office experience. We invite you to e-mail or call our office with any questions or to schedule an appointment. You can also contact us via the office hours link on this website. Thank you for choosing the Gastroenterology Institute of Southern California and placing your trust in us. On behalf of our entire staff, we wish you the best of health.
Contact Dr. Berookim
(310) 271-1122
150 N Robertson Blvd, Suite 204
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
About GI North: Gastroenterology PracticeVO: Welcome To GI-North, where gastroenterologist Dr. Simon R. Cofrancesco specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive problems. Affiliated with Northside Hospital-Forsyth and located in Cumming, Georgia, GI North provides the latest in advanced technological care and treatment as well as personalized attention for each and every patient.
Dr. Cofrancesco: "What we offer at GI North that's unique is a solo gastroenterologist that's available five days a week."
VO: Dr. Cofrancesco graduated from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed his residency at Tufts University at Baystate Medical Center. Since opening GI North in 2011, Dr. Cofrancesco has provided treatment for patients who suffer from digestive diseases such as IBS and Celiac disease as well as relief for patients who have a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms.
Dr. Cofrancesco: "The most common reason that people come to me is because they usually have abdominal complaints... Usually pain, a change in their bowels, reflux, sometimes difficulty swallowing food."
VO: However, Dr. Confrancesco specializes in performing diagnostic tests like colonoscopies and upper endoscopies in order to screen various digestive issues like colon cancer.
Dr. Confrancesco: "It's one of the most common cancers that we see in this country. It's very treatable. Of course, it's most treatable if it's caught early or better yet, prevented by removing polyps. Across the board, most people do very well. I take care of lots of different cancers: esophageal, gastric, pancreatic. And most people with colon cancer do well because of that... because it is a slow moving cancer. "
VO: But preventative tests are most effective when they catch a disease early.
Dr. Cofrancesco: "That's the sneaky part of colon cancer. You can have it for five to ten years and feel fine. I think that's one of the biggest hurdles that patients have to overcome is to realize that the time to come to me is when they feel well... not wait until they get sick."
VO: Although, digestive difficulties can be hard to discuss, Dr. Cofrancesco takes the time to diagnose your problem and offers the best treatment options for your specific individual needs. Dr. Cofrancesco and the professional staff at GI North have created a focused, friendly environment dedicated to your well being.
Dr. Cofrancesco: "Our primary objective at GI-North is to provide an outstanding experience and excellent care throughout your entire visit from the moment you step foot in the clinic until you leave."
Timothy Koch, MD - Gastroenterology & Bariatric SurgeryDr. Timothy Koch is a staff physician at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He graduated The University of Chicago Medical School and is a board certified gastroenterologist. He works in the obesity program at The Hospital Center and strives to offer his patients comprehensive care. Dr. Koch completed his internship, residency, and fellowship at The Mayo Clinic.
Dr. David Hollander - GastroenterologistLearn more about Dr. Hollander here:
http://www.ecommunity.com/fad/profile.aspx?phyID=221490
Boston Gastroenterologist's Inspiration for Going Into PracticeDr. Kenneth Falchuk was fascinated by the human body as a child and decided early on that he wanted to help people. He allowed his natural curiosity and dedication to make a difference lead him in to his life's work as a physician today.
Kenneth Falchuk, MD: One of the reasons I became a physician was that even as a child I was always quite intrigued about the human body, the function of our body, how people suffered and, you know, we all are exposed to pain and suffering, when their loved ones and our friends, we see and know of loved ones who die, that hurts and we cannot do anything about it.
So as a youngman in high school, may be a young kid at that time, I made a decision that I wanted to try to help people. I wanted to find out how can I learn about medicine? How could I then apply that knowledge to care for those who suffer? How can I prevent disease and prevention of disease is a very important element of my career. It is easy to diagnose most illnesses. Some of them, yes, more difficult, they require more effort, time, and dedication but once you diagnose it with the fund or knowledge we have today, we can deliver the best treatment possible for us today.
There are patients when that is not that easy. They are patients where no matter what we do, we know the that prognosis grim and that hurts, hurts a lot to lose someone who you have been trying to help, dedicated a long period of time, years some time, of knowing someone who has no future yet you have to deliver hope, you have to try to make that patient feel that there is something out there that is worth living or on the other hand, be sincere to your patient and by being realistic, provide comfort and help make decisions that are extremely important for the patient and his or her family.
So all these years in medicine, and I have been at it for more than 40 years, are based in the principle that I am a physician because I want to take care of those who need to receive our care, help, hopefully cure and also prevent illnesses that otherwise would lead to severe handicap or even death.
So I do not mind spending these long hours as long as there is a good light that shines at the end of this tunnel.
Learn more about Dr. Falchuk: http://services.bidmc.org/Find_a_doc/doc_detail.asp?sid=41414641434540
Abdominal Pain Caused By Diverticulitis?Dr. Falchuk explains the different symptoms that diverticulitis will cause a patient, including location of abdominal pain, signs of infection, and treatment options.
Kenneth Falchuk, MD: Abdominal pain is a broad subject, but if someone is concerned about a specific disease such as diverticulitis, the pain usually is acute. More often than not it is a pain centered to the lower abdomen, more commonly or not, the left side of the abdomen. We call it the left lower abdominal quadrant. That is an area where most of diverticula usually occur.
It is an area where the bowel is somewhat narrow and a little curved and when diverticulitis occurs, develops, that means inflammation within the diverticula, and the pain will be or can be quite severe and can also be mild. Patients may develop a change in the bowel pattern, they may become constipated, and they cannot eliminate the stools as well they may even feel bloated. Sometimes the pain is quite intense when the patient is doubled over.
Sometimes the patient can have a fever with chills, a sign of an infection. What diverticulitis really is, the definition, is perforation that means a little hole that could be small, does not have to be large, in one of the diverticula or in several diverticula. So in the space, the area of the colon where these are located, things become narrow, swollen, we call it edema. Pus can collect and that is called abscess and therefore patients can be quite ill, they need to be seen promptly.
Many cases of diverticulitis tend to be mild, mild in the sense that patient can be seen by a physician as an outpatient, evaluated, diagnosis established and be treated with antibiotics. The specific way to make the diagnosis is not only the clinical presentation. The clinical finding is the need to do an x-ray, a CT scan with contrast of the abdomen focussing in the area where the pain is present.
Now that does not mean that you cannot have diverticulitis in other segments of the colon. It could be at the right side, it could be at the mid-portion of the transverse colon.
As I said previously, the left side of the colon, the sigmoid colon, is the predominant site where diverticulitis develops. Abdominal pain is a broad symptom. It is caused by many conditions so it is important for the physician to know how to proceed and differentiate, what we call established differential diagnosis or in another conditions, it could be a catastrophe of something is leaking into the abdomen. There could be another abscess. There could be a perforated appendix and so and so, that is why prompt evaluation, proper x-ray studies and laboratory studies as well and then proceed with a treatment and followup.
Learn more about Dr. Falchuk: http://services.bidmc.org/Find_a_doc/doc_detail.asp?sid=41414641434540
The Benefits of a ColonoscopyColonoscopy is a tool used by doctors to evaluate multiple disease processes and screen for abnormalities. Dr. Falchuk explains that colonoscopies are often used today for preventative care, and may prevent cancer by showing growths through the screening and allow them to be removed.
Kenneth Falchuk, MD: Colonoscopy is an excellent tool to evaluate disease processes. That means if patients have bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss or other general symptoms of concern but it also an excellent tool with the screening patients who are at risk to develop colon polyps or colon cancer. Diseases that are preventable today with important interventions, diagnostic procedures as colonoscopy or I should say the colonoscopy represents one of those techniques that allow us to screen.
Now screening is the standard of care for anyone even if the person is not at risk after age 50 because as we get older both females and males are at increased risk to develop this little growth that we call polyps. The majority are benign but some may not be and if you can pick this or find this change early on, prevent these little polyps from becoming larger ones and migrating into a malignant type lesion, that means cancer, you can really save a life.
Also if we start considering what are the indications for colonoscopy, first clearly screening in someone who is healthy in no symptoms, more so in someone who has a family history of colon cancer, colon polyps and it is important to do it in those individuals and know when their relative have colon cancer or colon polyps because then one would start at a younger age.
So there will be after the screening. For diagnosis it is important and the evaluation of patients who are bleeding, who may well have Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis with or without bleeding, and areas of narrowing of the colon that allow us to evaluate that further, it prevent cancer as well if the cancer is causing the symptom leading to the area of obstruction.
Colonoscopy also allows us to treat patients and allows us to remove polyps as long as they are not very large or malignant already. Some of them can even be removed with today's techniques even when they are large. So there you are, colonoscopy can prevent diseases from progressing further. It is an outpatient procedure with today's techniques, does not take long. Patients are medicated to feel comfortable and it can be done without any untoward side effects considering the fact that any technique that is invasive has a potential risk so the physician has to weigh the benefits versus obviously the risks of any technique.
Over all, it has been an excellent adjunct to our evaluation, care of all our patients and it does prevent colon cancer. A 150,000 patients or more year in America develop colon cancer so if we could evaluate our patient population at risk or preventive, from a preventive point of view, do it after age 50 as a screening technique, we will freely modify the history of colon cancer in this country and in the world.
Learn more about Dr. Falchuk: http://services.bidmc.org/Find_a_doc/doc_detail.asp?sid=41414641434540
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and What Tests You Should GetIrritable Bowel Syndrome that is more commonly abbreviated as IBS, is a diagnosis for a myriad of complaints that patients have that affect their gastrointestinal tract. Patients experiencing IBS, have to be evaluated very closely by their physician to assess if other conditions, or a combinations of conditions might be occuring to cause the IBS.
Kenneth Falchuk, MD: Irritable bowel syndrome is the word points to it, is a syndrome, it is a composite of complaints that patients have that effect the GI tract. It is not something that we could immediately say is caused by an infection or is caused by a structural change in the bowel.
So therefore the physician who evaluates the patient with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has to pay attention to the types of symptoms, when they occur? How frequent is your trigger factor, has to evaluate his patient for the possibility of other conditions and that is where we bring in the criteria of or the characters of what we call reg flags.
So irritable bowel syndrome is a combination of symptoms that the patient mentions to the treating evaluating physician that consists of either pain with or without a change in bowel habit such as diarrhea, constipation, or a variable pattern, a mixture of both diarrhea or constipation with bloating with a change in a shape, consistency of they stools, they could be loose, they could be hard, they could be like little fragments.
Above all, the irritable bowel does not have the red flags that I mentioned previously, that is the presence of bleeding, very significant relevant weight loss in a short period of time, no fever, and no vomiting, once we consider the red flags and if they are not present in the patient, there are other lab results that we could request to evaluate the patient and exclude something that may be caused by another illness other than the IBS, the irritable bowel.
If a physician requests those labs, they are not specific. There is no specific blood test to make the diagnosis of an irritable bowel. So what one does when he looks at the lab for help to see if there is anemia, evidence of bleeding indirectly or directly, a low red cell count, a low iron or something called ferritin, signs of inflammation in the blood. We request a test called Sed rate or CRP that indirectly look at this aspect.
Other tests may show low protein to suggest a difficult absorption, nutrition, which is not really a main issue when one deals with irritable bowel. So once the red flags are excluded and that the physician is certain about that, he or she can then say "Well I am not yet sure. I need to evaluate my patient properly." That can be done with x-rays such as CAT scan, x-ray of a small intestine, a barium enema sometimes or proceed to something more specific and definitive, yet somewhat invasive called a colonoscopy where you look at the lining of the colon. You can take samples and make sure there is no inflammation.
The bottom-line is to make sure that there is no colitis because colitis is treated differently. It is somewhat of a greater concern to some patients because it could bleed to serious consequences and disabilities, so it is important not to attach diagnosis of IBS, irritable bowel, to someone who may have something that can be treated differently and therefore modify their quality of life and outcome.
I think that more or less summarizes what I have been trying to convey about what IBS irritable bowel syndrome is and how to proceed with a detail specific evaluation of this condition.
Learn more about Dr. Falchuk: http://services.bidmc.org/Find_a_doc/doc_detail.asp?sid=41414641434540
H. Pylori and Peptic Ulcer Symptoms & Testing CandidatesH. Pylori and peptic ulcers are common in our country and are even more common in underdeveloped countries. Dr. Falchuk explains how standard testing can help determine if you are suffering from gastritis, peptic ulcers, infection or H. Pylori.
Learn more about Dr. Falchuk: http://services.bidmc.org/Find_a_doc/doc_detail.asp?sid=41414641434540
Preparing for a ColonoscopyPreparing for a Colonoscopy
Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ProcedureAn upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at the interior lining of your esophagus, your stomach, and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum) through a thin, flexible viewing instrument called an endoscope. The tip of the endoscope is inserted through your mouth and then gently moved down your throat into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (upper gastrointestinal tract).
Gastroenterology -- University Hospital PSA
Routine Miracles with Dr. Conrad Fischer: GastroenterologyJoin Dr. Fischer for a FREE event Monday 9/14 at 7pm EDT. Dr. Fischer will participate in a live interview and Q&A online. Registration is required. To register, please visit: http://kaptest.acrobat.com/routinemiracles/event/registration.html See you there!
"This book covers medical advances that would once have been called miracles but are now merely routine. The patients' stories within this book yield hope, optimism, and triumph. This is the best time to come out of medical school and training. This fact will inspire and uplift everyone in the medical profession as well as all of us who must, at some point, rely on the art of medicine to see us through.
-- Conrad Fischer, MD
How can todays doctors not be energized and excited by breakthroughs like the ability of the current AIDS drugs to increase life expectancy by twenty-five years? Dr. Fischers zest for life and his profession is evident in his stories of personal triumphs and failures and in his deep sense of joy and accomplishment at what doctors are able to do today.
In Routine Miracles, award-winning internist and medical educator Conrad Fischer investigates the paradox between medical advances, and the rise of physician dissatisfaction. Fischer surveyed more than 3,000 physicians and interviewed hundreds of patients to uncover the seeds of doctors discontent. Based upon his findings, he offers a deeply personal and compelling call to action for all of us, doctor and patient alike, to celebrate the present and the future of medicine.
Conrad Fischer, MD, is the Chairman of Medicine at Kaplan Medical. He is also the author of the upcoming book "Routine Miracles: Personal Journeys of Patients and Doctors Discovering the Powers of Modern Medicine."
Visit http://seefisch.wordpress.com for more information about Dr. Fischer and Routine Miracles
Follow Dr. Fischer on Twitter: @SeeFisch
LIVING - GastroenterologyThis week on LIVING Dr Alfred Sparman - Interventional Cardiologist and health promotions advocate was joined by Gastroenterologist, Dr Sahle Griffith. They talk about his specialty - Gastroenterology. Dr Griffith gives talks about how he chose his career and talks about his passion.
LIVING airs live on VoB (Voice of Barbados) 92.9fm every Saturday from 9-9.30am.
(Show is aired in Barbados, W.I).
OR you can tune in live online at 9.30 via the VoB website; www.vob929.com
Tell us what you think of LIVING with this quick on-line survey:
(https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/v......)
University of Michigan - Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyThe Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Michigan is the largest in the United States, with a total of 14 Hepatologists on staff. This large and dedicated team takes a three-tiered approach to delivering care for liver disease. By investing in research, clinical trials, and new treatments they are able to lay a foundation of excellence. They build upon this foundation by providing expert clinical care and perfecting their clinical practices and services. Finally, they turn their attention to the road ahead by investing in the education and training of fellows, preparing them to lead the Hepatology Departments of tomorrow.
http://www.med.umich.edu/gi/
Mayo Clinic Gastroenterology and Hepatology Board Review Book, Fourth Edition - Dr. Stephen HauserThe Fourth Edition of the Mayo Clinic Gastroenterology and Hepatology Board Review Book is discussed in this video. Editor-in-Chief and Mayo Clinic Gastroenterologist, Dr. Stephen Hauser shares with us about the newest updates with the fourth edition and how these changes were made to best prepare you for your Gastroenterology Boards. For more information on the book, visit:
► http://global.oup.com/academic/product/mayo-clinic-gastroenterology-and-hepatology-board-review-9780199827619?lang=en&cc=us
Many of the faculty that contribute to the book also present at our live board review course each September in Chicago. The live course is an excellent opportunity for you to have time devoted to studying for your boards and to connect with your colleagues and Mayo Clinic experts.
This year, our live course runs from Thursday, September 5 to Sunday, September 8. For more information on the live course, visit:
► http://www.mayo.edu/cme/gastroenterology-2013r917/?mc_id=youtube&SiteTarget=Hauser
Dr. Jonathan Cohen - What is GastroenterologyDr. Jonathan Cohen, M.D. a Gastroenterologist, and member of the Empowered Health News Medical Board, describes the job of a gastroenterologist and the study of Gastroenterology.
For the full story visit http://www.empowereddoctor.com/medical-editorial-board
Explaining GI ProceduresFrom "Internal Discussions: An Appointment in Gastroenterology" from the CATIE Center at St. Catherine University
Gastroenterologist Dr. Leon Maratchi Interviewed on HD ColonoscopyInterview with gastroenterologist Dr. Leon Maratchi of Gastroenterology Consultants, PA and South Broward Endoscopy aired 3/2/10 on Ch. 6 WSVN (NBC in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale) discussing colonoscopy for colorectal cancer surveillance and the benefit of new high definition endoscopes.
Introduction to GastroenterologyGastroenterology is the area of medicine that deals with the digestive system and how our bodies break down food so it can be absorbed by our intestines to fuel the rest of our body. A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in the digestive system. The Introduction to Gastroenterology video explores the basic anatomy of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon). It also explains why you might need to see a gastroenterologist.
