Extensive international study unequivocally concludes colorectal cancer screening works

The evidence is in and it could not be clearer – colorectal screening works splendidly. The results of a landmark European study presented recently unequivocally concluded that mortality rates from colorectal cancer drop with proper screening tests. The study was conducted from 1989 to 2010 and was part of the comprehensive Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Philippe … Read More

Don’t let your GI condition take the “jolly” out of your holidays

For most, the holiday season is a time to enjoy friends, family, festivities and food. Lots of food. Lots of food they might not usually indulge in. For individuals who suffer from a GI condition, all that food can present quandaries: “Do I go ahead and eat a slice of Aunt Betty’s special pie even though I know it will … Read More

Have you heard about GERD?

In 1999, the U.S. National Health Observances calendar was updated to designate the week of Thanksgiving as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Awareness Week. What is this condition, and why does it merit a national awareness week, especially one that includes America’s holiday centered on eating? GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that … Read More

Stomach Cancer Awareness Month: Disease less prevalent in United States but remains dangerous

With November serving as host to our country’s most food-centered holiday, it seems fitting that in 2010 the U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating it as Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. Stomach cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, according to tracking statistics. Nearly one million people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year, and the disease takes the … Read More

Gastrointestinal Associates proud of its record: zero cases of C. difficile infection

An intestinal pathogen can wreak havoc within hospitals and medical facilities, putting patients at considerable risk of infection and its accordant complications. Avoiding an outbreak is paramount at our three endoscopy centers at Gastrointestinal Associates. A recent study presented in Denver at the 53rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) noted that the rates of Clostridium difficile infection … Read More

An Aspirin a Day…

Could something as simple as taking one low-dose aspirin a day help keep colon cancer at bay? Research indicates that, particularly for those at high risk of colorectal cancer, the regimen might be worth considering in addition to proper screening and a healthy diet. To shed some light on the subject, I’ll provide brief details from a few recent studies:

GIA Physicians applaud FDA’s Definition of ‘Gluten Free’

Imagine if eating a certain food ingredient would not only make you sick, but also threaten your health or possibly even your life? What if you couldn’t trust that foods labeled free of this ingredient were accurate? That’s been the situation faced by millions of people who have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. The only treatment for these conditions is … Read More

Probiotics: As good as advertised?

“Take a few billion bacteria and call me in the morning.” With all the advertising attention paid to probiotics these days, it seems that this unlikely remedy might be the best prescription for many ailments. Are the results as good as advertised, and are these “good” bacteria really safe? Recent research sheds some light on the subject.