Gastroenterologists

Liver disease refers to a situation that damages or inflames the liver. Your liver may get damaged for many reasons, including genetic, infectious, or other.  To ensure you secure the correct treatment for your liver disorder, Tidewater, Virginia Beach's gastrointestinal liver specialists perform a series of diagnostic tests. Each of the tests involves various steps and procedures.  If you want to determine what you expect from these liver diagnosis tests, consider reading this post until the end. Diagnosing Liver Disease – Understanding the Different Types of Procedures/Tests 1. Liver Biopsy The biopsy of the liver is a medical practice done to remove a small part of liver tissue. Doctors use this piece for carrying out further assessments of the liver condition. A liver biopsy is done when the liver is not working properly, and your doctor wants to learn about the condition of the liver accurately. With a liver biopsy, it is possible to: Detect infections and cancer Diagnose...

Living with celiac disease can be difficult, but it is not impossible. One of the most important things you can do to manage your celiac disease is to follow a gluten-free diet. This means avoiding all foods that contain gluten, which can be tricky since gluten is found in many common foods. In this article, we will provide some tips for following a healthy gluten-free diet. We will also discuss the importance of working with a gastroenterologist to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific needs. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and some other grains. When we digest food, there are enzymes that break down the protein in food but it doesn't completely break down gluten. During the process, the undigested gluten then moves to the small intestine. Most people can tolerate the undigested gluten with no problems. But for some people, it can cause a severe reaction with harsh symptoms and complications, especially for those who have celiac disease. Celiac disease ...

Did you know that approximately one in five Americans have a problem with their digestive system ? In fact, gastroenterology is one of the most common medical specialties in the United States. There are many different types of gastrointestinal problems, and some are more common than others.  Some of the most common gastroenterology problems include: Indigestion This is a general term that is used to describe a variety of different symptoms. Some common symptoms of indigestion include bloating, heartburn, nausea and gas. Some common causes of indigestion are eating too much or eating too quickly. Eating fatty, greasy or spicy foods can cause indigestion as well as drinking too much caffeine, alcohol or carbonated beverages. It can be treated with over-the-counter medications, but if the symptoms are severe, you may need to see a doctor for further evaluation. Gallstone pancreatitis This is a condition that occurs when gallstones become lodged in the opening of the pancreas. This c...

If you are one of the millions of people in the United States who suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease , you know that it can be a chronic and ongoing battle. You may also know that there is no cure for IBD. However, that doesn't mean that there isn't hope! A gastroenterologist can help you manage your symptoms and keep your disease under control. In this blog post, we will discuss what causes IBD and some of the treatment options available to you.   The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. IBD occurs when the body's immune system reacts abnormally to the bacteria in the digestive tract. This can cause inflammation and ulceration in the lining of the intestine. IBD is not contagious, so you cannot catch it from someone else.   There are two main types of IBD: Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis . Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. Ul...

Constipation is defined as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week. For some people, this can mean hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass. For others, it may simply be having a bowel movement less often than they're used to having one. Regardless of the definition, constipation is a common problem. In fact, it's estimated that constipation affects up to 30 percent of the population.     If you're like most people, you don't think about your digestive health until something goes wrong. And when it comes to constipation, many people just accept that it's a normal part of life. But did you know that being constipated can lead to other problems? In this article, we'll discuss the side effects of constipation and how gastroenterologists can help.   Signs and Symptoms of Constipation Some symptoms of constipation you may experience include:   Abdominal pain Bloating Feeling like you can't empty your bowels completely Feeling that something is...

  Do you sometimes have trouble swallowing? You might have esophageal spasms. Esophageal spasms are contractions in the esophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing, chest pain, or both. The esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach, and esophageal spasms occur when this tube contracts involuntarily. In most cases, esophageal spasms only happen occasionally and are not a serious problem. However, sometimes they can be more frequent and prevent food from traveling to the stomach. Types of esophageal spasms There are two main different types of esophageal spasms, and the symptoms can vary depending on the type.  The most common type is called diffuse (or distal) esophageal spasm (DES), and it usually causes difficulty swallowing. DES occurs when the muscles in the esophagus contract erratically, making it difficult for food to pass and cause regurgitation or swallowed food and drink to come back up the esophagus. It may also feel like an object or food is...