Diagnosis of a digestive tract disorder is crucial to accurate and effective treatment. No matter what digestive disorder you have, you will be asked about your digestive symptoms and medical history when you visit a gastroenterologist. In some cases, physical exams are also performed. However, to be certain, in most cases, a gastroenterologist needs specific…
North Shore Gastroenterology
8 Signs That Tell You It’s Time to See a Gastroenterologist
GI (gastrointestinal) issues can truly make life miserable. Problems with digestion and bowel movements are best evaluated by a gastroenterologist, also called a GI doctor. These medical doctors can diagnose and treat your digestive or elimination issue, and help you make some adjustments so that the problem will no longer interfere with your life. Let’s…
How Colon Cancer Screenings Can Save Lives
Colon cancer screenings are tests to detect signs of disease before it starts causing symptoms. Colon cancer almost always develops from polyps, and when these polyps are found during a colon cancer screening, they can be dealt with immediately, before they have a chance to turn into colon cancer. In fact, colon cancer deaths among…
How To Test For Lactose Intolerance
People who are unable to make enough lactase (a digestive enzyme) to digest lactose, which is a type of sugar found in dairy, are lactose intolerant. While the condition is not life-threatening, it can be a source of discomfort and embarrassment. Being lactose intolerant means you have to be extra vigilant with what you choose…
Got Lactose Intolerance? What You Can Do About It
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…
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,…