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How Do I Know if I´m
at Risk for Colorectal Cancer? If you are a man or woman over
the age of 50, you are at increased risk for colon cancer. If you have a
first-degree relative that had colon cancer or colon polyps, you are at high
risk for colorectal cancer.
Aren't Women at Less Risk for Colorectal Cancer than Men? No,
the risk is equal in men and women.
What are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer? Most patients
have absolutely no symptoms but some symptoms include weakness, change in bowel
pattern or shape of the stool, and rectal bleeding. Remember: Not
all rectal bleeding is hemorrhoids.
Why is Screening Important if I Have No Symptoms? Screening
helps catch a disease before symptoms occur rendering the cancer more treatable.
What Type of Screening Tests are Available? There are
numerous screening tests available for colon cancer. The one that is most recommended
is colonoscopy. This valuable test is recommended for everyone
at the age of 50. It has been shown that, if every American had one colonoscopy
at the age of 50, we would reduce the incidence of colon cancer by 80 percent.
It is usually recommended that a colonoscopy be repeated every five to ten
years afterwards.
How Do I Prepare for These Screening Tests? Please look
at the different preps that I have for colonoscopy and the section Understanding
Colonoscopy (see sidebar).
What if I Am Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer? Blood
work is usually done to make sure your liver enzymes are not elevated. If they
are, a CT scan may be done and you will be referred to a surgeon. The primary
treatment for colon cancer is surgery.
How Can Colorectal Cancer be Prevented? Screening. Screening
for colorectal cancer has proven to save lives.
If I get colorectal cancer, will I need a bag? Most
patients do not need a colostomy unless the tumor is a low rectal
cancer.
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what causes constipation? There
are several causes but the main one is a lack of fiber in the diet, lack
of exercise, and lack of fluid intake.
what is the best treatment for constipation? High fiber,
six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day and exercise
Are laxitives addictive? No.
Is fiber good for you? Yes. Studies have shown that fibre
also helps lower cholesterol and help people lose weight.
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What causes diarrhea? Diarrhea
has numerous causes including infections, antibiotics, other medications,
etc...
What is the best treatment for diarrhea? The treatment
depends on the cause. If it is an infection, sometimes antibiotics are used.
Otherwise, the best treatment is targeted at the causative agent.
Should I drink a lot of water if I have diarrhea? Not
only should you drink water but you should drink water that has some salt and
sugar in it as well. There are commercially available oral rehydration
formulas that are designed for this.
What foods should I avoid if I have diarrhea? For the
most part, try to avoid lactose-containing foods. [Top]
What is dysphagia? Dysphagia
is defined as the difficulty in swallowing, the sensation of food (which
may be liquid or solid) that does not reach the stomach.
What causes dysphagia? There are mechanical causes and
motor causes where the esophagus does not propel the food forward.
How do you diagnose dysphagia? The first test is a barium
swallow followed by an upper endoscopic examination.
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What are gallstones? In
some people tiny crystals form from the cholesterol and pigments in the
gallbladder and the crystals grow gradually until one or even hundreds
of gallstones develop.
What are the symptoms of having gallstones? Pain in the
right upper abdomen, may be associated with nausea and fever.
Is there a test for determining if I have gallstones? Ultrasound.
How are Gallstones treated? If you are not having symptoms
we do nothing. Otherwise, laparoscopic surgery is performed in patients who
have symptomatic gallstone disease. There are medications now available that
dissolve cholesterol gallstones. However, this treatment is not appropriate
for every patient.
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What are the symptoms of heartburn? When
refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes a burning
sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. The fluid may even be
tasted in the back of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion.
What if the heartburn persists? You should see your physician
and consider an upper endoscopy.
What are the problems with longterm heartburn? Patients
may develop complications such as strictures, which can cause difficulty swallowing,
or even a precancerous condition known as Barrett’s esophagus.
What is the best treatment for heartburn? Treatment for
heartburn includes lifestyle changes, medications that decrease acid production,
and in some cases surgical therapy.
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What is hepatitis? Hepatitis
is an inflammation of the liver caused by numerous agents including viruses,
medications, and other diseases.
What are the signs of hepatitis? Pain in the right upper
abdomen, jaundice, fever, and elevated liver tests.
Are there tests for hepatitis? Yes. Numerous blood tests
can be done.
Are there any treatments for hepatitis? Yes. Numerous
blood tests can be done.
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What are the symptoms of an ulcer? Some patients may just bleed and have black, tarry stools. Others may have upper abdominal pain, worse or sometimes gets better with food.
Can germs cause an ulcer? The most common cause of ulcers is a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori.
Can stress cause ulcers? Stress does not cause ulcers but it makes the symptoms worse.
How do you test for an ulcer? Most commonly an upper endoscopy is done. A barium study can be done as well but is not as accurate.
What is the best treatment for ulcers? Acid suppressive therapy and, if you have the bacteria, treatment of the bacteria with antibiotics.
Should I watch my diet if I have an ulcer? No, there is no known diet that helps heal an ulcer. We do know that smoking sensation helps heal ulcers though.
Should I contact my doctor if I think I have an ulcer? Yes. If you are tested for Helicobacter pylori and you are positive, you should be treated. This could cure ulcers for the rest of your life.
What happens if an ulcer is not treated? Some ulcers heal without medications but other ulcers may penetrate into other tissues or even perforate the stomach. Again, if Helicobacter pylori is the cause of your ulcer and is not treated, you have an 80 to 90 percent recurrence of your ulcer in one year.
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What are hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids are dilated (enlarged) veins which occur in and around the anus and rectum. They may be external (outside) the anus or internal and slip to the outside.
What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids? External hemorrhoids cause pain, itching, and burning. Internal hemorrhoids cause bleeding and are painless.
What causes hemorrhoids? The common cause of hemorrhoids is simply the standing position. Other causes that contribute to hemorrhoids are poor bowel habits, constipation, diarrhea, pregnancy, obesity, and especially frequent straining when having a bowel movement.
Are hemorrhoids common? Hemorrhoids, or piles, are one of mankind’s most common and nagging disorders.
How do you treat hemorrhoids? Conservative therapy to keep the anal area clean. Keep the hemorrhoids as dry as possible and eat a diet high in fiber. Avoid straining. If thrombosis, pain, and tenderness occurs, a 10 to 20 minute hot tub bath two to four times daily brings heat to the area and provides relieve from the pain. This is called a sitz bath. If further therapy is needed then rubber band ligation can be done or infrared photo coagulation, laser therapy, or even surgery.
Can hemorrhoids cause cancer? Hemorrhoids do not develop into cancer.
Can hemorrhoids require surgery? Surgery is sometimes recommended and is usually reserved for:
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Are there tests for liver functions? There are numerous blood tests to determine if your liver is functioning poorly. However, they are not perfect. Only a liver biopsy can really tell you what is going on with the liver. Secondly, there are numerous other blood tests to determine the cause of liver abnormalities. Often imaging studies, such as an ultrasound, is often important as there may be masses in the liver that can cause abnormal liver chemistry.
What are the most common liver diseases? Currently nonalcoholic fatty liver disease associated in people who are obese have hypercholesterolemia and diabetes followed by hepatitis-C.
What is a fatty liver? This is a liver that contains a large amount of fat. It is the most common cause of abnormal liver chemistry and is secondary to obesity, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes.
When does one require a liver biopsy? If a patient’s liver chemistry stays elevated for six months then a liver biopsy is warranted. In some cases to determine the diagnosis and, in other cases when the diagnosis is known, to determine how good or bad the liver is functioning.
At what point is a liver transplant required? A liver transplant is required when the liver function is less than 10 percent and the liver starts to decompensate and one develops fluid in the abdomen (ascites), jaundice, weakness, fatigue.
Is there a special diet for people with liver disease? We usually tell patients to avoid alcohol (obviously) and follow a diet that is balanced. However, there is no specific liver diet.
Should people with liver disease avoid alcohol? Yes.
Should people with liver disease stop taking their medications?
Medications known to be toxic to the liver should be substituted if possible.
Otherwise, the patient should be watched closely while on these medications
as they may be important for other diseases that the patient may have.
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What is the pancreas? The pancreas is an organ located at the very back of the abdomen behind the stomach. The pancreas is important for digestion as well production of certain hormones such as insulin.
What is pancreatitis? Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that causes severe pain, nausea, and vomiting. The pain is usually in the upper abdomen, just above the bellybutton, and radiates to the back.
How do you test for pancreatitis? Blood test, serum amylase, is very sensitive, as well as a CT scan.
Are there any treatments for pancreatitis? Again, the treatment for pancreatitis depends on the cause. Usually pancreatitis is cooled off by not feeding the patient and in some severe cases antibiotics are given intravenously while in the hospital. If gallstones are the causative agent, before leaving the hospital, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is required.
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What is diverticulosis? Diverticula are out-pouching in the colon, usually found in the left colon and, in some cases, in the right colon. It is a weakness in the muscle wall of the colon.
What is diverticulitis? Diverticulitis is when one of these out-pouchings develops infection.
How do you treat diverticulosis? The best treatment of diverticulosis is prevention with a high-fiber diet.
How do you treat diverticulitis? Diverticulitis is treated with antibiotics.
You Should Know :Dr. Bhandari specializes in digestive disease disorders. He is triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Nutrition & Gastroenterology. He is a highly trained and specialized endoscopist. |
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