Swallowing. It’s something we take for granted until we struggle to do it. If you have trouble swallowing only on a few occasions, it’s usually nothing to worry about. If difficulty with swallowing is persistent or happens often, however, it’s time to see your physician to have the problem checked. Doctors use the medical term “dysphagia” to describe “trouble swallowing.” … Read More

Celiac disease is not uncommon – an estimated 1 in 133 Americans, at the least, has the condition – but it often is undiagnosed or confused with another medical disorder. May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month, so let’s take a look at what it is, how it affects people, and what you can do about it. What is celiac disease? Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the … Read More

I want to share the story of an incredible woman named Candice. She started the Ideal Protein program less than a year ago in July 2017. In nine months, she has lost more than 100 pounds, changed her habits – and changed her life. Stories like hers are the reason dietitian Katelyn Bianconi and I are so invested in GIA … Read More

What’s been holding you back from making a commitment to a healthier lifestyle? If you’re ready to lose weight, GIA 180 can help. Through ReShape, a non-surgical approach of two connected intragastric balloons, you can lose more than double the weight and keep it off. To date, GIA 180 has helped our ReShape patients lose a total of more than … Read More

Cologuard is a stool-based colorectal screening test that received FDA approval in August 2014. This test is performed at home and detects the presence of red blood cells and DNA mutations in the stool that may indicate certain kinds of abnormal growths, such as colon cancer or polyps (precursors to cancer). In a large study comparing Cologuard with colonoscopy, the … Read More

You’re finally on that long-awaited overseas trip when you find yourself repeatedly and frantically running to the bathroom with unwelcome bouts of diarrhea. To top it off, you have explosive gas, cramps, fever, nausea and vomiting, malaise, bloating and loss of appetite. You are the unfortunate victim of traveler’s diarrhea – an illness that can wreck the best made vacation … Read More

The evidence continues to mount: Rising obesity rates in the United States are leading to a rise in obesity-related cancers, including colon cancer. When smoking was directly linked to lung cancer, many smokers took the necessary steps to beat their addiction. They recognized the risk and did what was needed to minimize it. It’s interesting now to look back at … Read More

The small intestine had long been “uncharted waters” for gastroenterologists due to its extensive length and complex angles and looping. With the advent of video capsule endoscopy (see recent blog post from July 13, 2017, by Dr. Narayani), a need to overcome these obstacles arose. Hence, in 2007, single balloon enteroscopy was developed in Japan. Currently, GIA is the only … Read More

Video Capsule Endoscopy – sometimes referred to as the “camera pill” – is often considered new technology. In reality, it has been available since 1999. Capsule endoscopy is most commonly performed to search for a cause of bleeding that is suspected to originate from the small intestine.  This is often the case in patients who have a traditional upper GI … Read More

As the pounds continue to pile on, so do the studies tying obesity to cancer and other illnesses. Most recently, a Swedish study found that overweight young men ages 18 or 19 had a 50 percent greater risk of developing liver disease than their normal weight counterparts. Worse yet, those who went on to develop type 2 diabetes tripled their … Read More