Constipation, characterized by infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stool, can significantly impact your quality of life if it's not managed properly. About 4 million people in the United States complain of having constipation regularly.
Many old wives' tales and over-the-counter treatments for constipation exist, but most don't work and may actually do harm instead.
What follows are some of the worst ways people attempt to manage constipation as well as effective and healthier alternatives provided by Dr. Bharat Pothuri, our gastroenterologist here at GastroDoxs.
Many chronic liver diseases, including fatty liver disease and hepatitis B and C, have the potential to damage your liver and cause scars to form. The more scar tissue there is, the stiffer your liver becomes, which affects how it functions. Scar tissue reduces blood flow to the organ, resulting in more liver damage and additional scarring called fibrosis.
Chronic acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a widespread digestive issue, and experts estimate that it affects approximately 20% of people in the United States. With acid reflux and GERD, the stomach contents of gastric secretions and food flow back into the esophagus.
Regular screenings for colon cancer, through colonoscopy, should start at age 45 - or younger if you have specific risk factors. Compared to getting no cancer screenings, colonoscopies reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 31% and cut the risk of dying of that cancer by 50%.
Fiber is essential for your digestive health. Here at GastroDoxs, Dr. Bharat Pothuri and our experienced staff recommend you get at least 21-30 grams of fiber daily to experience extraordinary health benefits.
The sensation that food is stuck in your throat is both distressing and uncomfortable. If you or a loved one experiences it regularly, it could be a sign of dysphagia, which is difficulty swallowing. People with dysphagia may also experience pain when they swallow.
It's not uncommon to experience feelings of fullness and bloating after eating a large, rich meal. While this is often indicative of annoying gas pain, it could also mean you have gallstones. Because gas pain and gallstones have similar symptoms, it's important for you to understand the difference between the two conditions so you can get the relief you need.
If you struggle with constipation for three months or longer, it's considered chronic. As a board-certified gastroenterologist, Dr. Bharat Pothuri of GastroDoxs treats patients to help them improve this frustrating, uncomfortable, and, sometimes, painful condition.
If your loved one is among the 100,000 new cases of colon cancer diagnosed this year, you definitely have questions about treatment options. The best care plan depends on the type and stage of cancer, the possible side effects, and the patient's health and preferences.
