Helicobacter pylori, also known as H. pylori, is a bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers. H. pylori infect roughly two-thirds of people worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although it doesn’t always cause ulcers. Most people who have this bacteria never experience any symptoms of it. As sanitation improves, cases of H.… Read more »
The symptoms of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are fairly similar, although they differ in their severity and persistence. Both conditions are caused by reflux of acid from the stomach into the lower portion of the esophagus. However, GERD is a chronic condition in which heartburn occurs two to three times a week or more, while having… Read more »
The blues are in the air. With tax season, school wrapping up, and the impending swimsuit season—everyone’s singing the blues. But how is your body handling this stressful month? Stress triggers the “fight or flight” response in our body—causing your heart to beat faster and pumping the adrenaline and cortisol levels. In life-threatening situations (acute events),… Read more »
Aunt Flo’s visit. The curse. The crimson wave. Need we go on, ladies? Menstruation can be painful, emotional, and downright uncomfortable for any woman. But it can be difficult to tell if diarrhea, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, etc., are part of the cycle or indicators of a functional bowel disorder, like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).… Read more »
At 34.9%, Louisiana has the fourth-highest adult obesity rate in the nation. Over the past twenty-six years, the prevalence of obesity has risen by more than 20%. As these numbers rise, so, too, do the number of patients searching for a safe and viable weight loss solution. If you’re one of these patients, you’ve already taken… Read more »
May 1st marks the beginning of Celiac Awareness Month. But that’s not the only thing it signifies. May is when minds drift in earnest to thoughts of pool parties, summer festivals, and backyard barbeques. But if you’re suffering from celiac disease, those sticky ribs and even stickier Louisiana days may put you at higher risk for… Read more »
For 17 seasons, America tuned in to watch contestants battle their histories, habits, and bodies to thinness. With the help of personal trainers and associated medical personnel, the contestants dieted their way through the 30-week season—3 months sequestered on the Biggest Loser Ranch and 4 months spent at home applying what they’d learned—before the final… Read more »
Your family and friends are gathered around the picnic table on a summer afternoon. As you talk and laugh, the dishes are passed around the table like clockwork. In the heat of the summer sun, that cold cucumber salad may look deliciously refreshing—but if you have gastritis, it could mean an untimely exodus from the… Read more »
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—two forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—affect 1.4 million people in the United States alone. Despite the prevalence of these diseases, very little about their causes, symptoms, or treatment options—especially pertaining to Crohn’s disease— is public knowledge, so we’ve broken down four commonly asked questions regarding Crohn’s disease. Let’s get started.… Read more »
So you’ve made the decision. You’ve talked with your gastroenterologist and decided that the gastric balloon procedure is the best way for you to kick off your weight loss journey. Before you have the quick outpatient procedure, we’ve got 5 things you should do: Check Your Meds: Before the procedure, ensure that any current prescriptions… Read more »
Regularity. Your weekly lunch date. Your morning coffee. Your daily…well, you know. We all depend on regularity. We take it for granted! But when things get funky, it can throw everything off. So what’s causing the irregularity? Gastroparesis, also known as Digestive Tract Paralysis (DTP), is a gastrointestinal disorder in which the muscles of the… Read more »
You followed the pre-op instructions to a T. The procedure went swimmingly. And while the pain has disappeared with your gallbladder, now you’re dealing with some less than ideal side effects. We’ve gathered a list of the potential side effects that you may experience following a laparoscopic or open gallbladder removal procedure, as well as… Read more »
