What is a gastroenterologist?
A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder and biliary system.
What are some common reasons for developing acid reflux (GERD)?
Anxiety and stress in are major factors along with abnormal food habits and abuse of tobacco, alcohol etc.
What can happen to ulcer problems when they’re not treated properly?
Gastrointestinal bleeding is a common complication of ulcer disease.
How common is colon cancer?
In the United States, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and the fourth most common cancer in women.
When do I need a colon cancer screening?
Colonoscopies should begin at age 50 and be performed every ten years. If there’s a family history (parent or sibling having colon cancer or a polyp before age 65) then colonoscopies should begin at age 40 or ten years younger than the age of the family member when they were diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps. Subsequent colonoscopies should be at five-year intervals.
How long does a colonoscopy take?
The procedure itself typically lasts between 15 and 30 minutes.
