Navigating Healthcare: A Guide to Modern Medicine and Wellness

Tag: gastroenterologist

Noninvasive Weight Loss Surgeries

Types of Noninvasive Weight Loss Surgeries

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Obesity is common, serious, and costly.” The CDC’s website reports that more than one third of all American adults are obese, adding that “obesity-related conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer can be prevented.” Pretty shocking to think that many of these diseases are largely preventable when obesity is overcome. The cost as well is shocking, as the CDC reports that the estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the United States is close to $150 billion. Sadly, these statistics do not surprise top gastroenterologists. If you are facing obesity-related health problems now or in the future, you may be considering weight loss surgery, but you may also be reluctant to take such drastic measures. Clearly, invasive weight loss surgeries are not for everyone. Thankfully, there are newer, noninvasive weight loss procedures.

What is GERD?

Most people know it as ‘heartburn,’ but the medical term for it is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a chronic digestive disorder characterized by the backflow of stomach acids into the esophagus, which can cause irritation of the esophageal lining. Most of us have had heartburn at least once or twice in our lives. We know it as the painful, burning feeling in the throat and/or chest, and we likely even know what we’ve eaten that caused it. But if you’re someone who suffers from chronic heartburn, what you’re experiencing could be the chronic gastrointestinal disorder GERD, and the complications of this reflux can be more severe than belching or a little pain now and again. Chronic gastroesophageal reflux is a disease characterized by acid backing up through the esophagus that can lead to dry cough, hiccups, and much more severe throat and chest pain than what is experienced by occasional heartburn. GERD can lead to serious health problems such as difficulty swallowing and even food sticking. That’s why GERD treatment in Queens and around the country is so important.

How Does Metabolism Work?

How Does Metabolism WorkMetabolism. We’ve all heard of it, and we’ve likely all talked about it. We may even know if ours is slow or fast. But how much do we really know about metabolism? If you were asked to explain it, could you? Does it even matter if you know anything or nothing at all about your metabolism? Actually, knowing how your metabolism works can help you to make better choices in your diet and exercise routine. It can even help you to decide what kinds of exercise and foods will work best for your particular metabolism. The simple answer to the above question is: metabolism is the rate at which your body can process the foods you consume. Of course, there’s a lot more to it, and the more you know, the better off you, your body, and your fitness results will be. Here’s some info from gastroenterologists in Queens on the subject of metabolism.  A top GI doc near you can help you to understand how metabolism works and how to use this to achieve results you desire.

What is the Microbiome?

What is the MicrobiomeThe most succinct definition of the ‘Microbiome’ is the entirety of microorganisms and their accompanying genetic material that we have in our bodies. Wait–is there that much microorganism activity going on in our bodies that there’s a whole separate word for it–not to mention world encompassing it? Absolutely. In fact, in the breakdown of cells making up the human body, you might say we humans are about 90 percent inhuman! A better explanation of that statement would be that the human body includes literally trillions of microorganisms and their combined genetic matter. And therein lies the Microbiome. Following is more detailed information about the fascinating world of the Microbiome that will help you better understand the Microbiome and what it has to do with your health.

How to Make The Colon Happy

How to Make Your Colon HappyIs your colon happy? Yes, you read that right. The question was: Is your colon happy? Think about it. You spend so much of your time making sure you’re building a happy home, a happy family, a happy childhood for your kids. You worry if your boss is happy with your work. You may even wonder if your bank account is happy. But you likely never think about whether your colon is happy. But the truth is when your colon is unhappy, you’re unhappy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure that your colon is healthy. And the great thing about colons is that when they’re healthy, they’re happy. Here are some valuable tips from gastroenterologists in Queens that can help you turn your colon’s frown upside down.

How Do Food Allergies Affect the Body?

Food AllergiesFood allergies are on the rise, both in the United States and around the world. In fact, researchers estimate that upwards of 15 million Americans suffer from food allergies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased by nearly 50% from the years 1997 to 2011. This swift rise in the number of people suffering from one or more food allergies is baffling to researchers, although many believe that modern chemical processes used to keep foods fresher longer play an important role. What’s most alarming is that this statistic is ever on the rise. If you’re one of the people who are suffering from a food allergy, you understand the significance this health condition can have on your lifestyle. Following is valuable information from top gastroenterologists in Queens that can help you better understand your food allergy and its affect on your body.  If you have a food allergy or think you may be allergic to something you’ve eaten you should contact a GI doctor in Queens today.

What Is an Intragastric Balloon?

ORBERA BalloonAn intragastric (or gastric) balloon is an inflatable medical device used to aid in weight loss. In a non-invasive medical procedure, the intragastric balloon is placed into the stomach on a temporary basis in selected obese or overweight patients when diet and exercise have failed. One such device is the ORBERA Intragastric Balloon, which is made of soft silicone. The ORBERA Intragastric Balloon can be beneficial to patients because it stays in the stomach temporarily, about six months, during which time it encourages a patient to eat a healthier diet. Following is more information from top gastroenterologists in Queens regarding the ORBERA Intragastric Balloon that may assist you in making an informed decision concerning this noninvasive weight loss surgery.  If you are interested in learning more about non invasive weight loss procedures contact a gastroenterologist near you.

Natural Ways to Prevent a Toothache

Why Does My Breath Smell?

The scientific name for bad breath is halitosis and the biggest culprits for creating this malady are onions and garlic.  This is not only due to their strong aroma, but because they both contain sulfuric compounds that get absorbed into your bloodstream, enabling a secondary odiferous wave to reach your lungs, where it eventually escapes through your mouth. So, not only do you have a strong aftertaste where mouthwash or mints fail miserably to rid your mouth of the odor, but, in the case of garlic, once it is absorbed it continues to emit a bitter scent from your pores.  Many people simply use garlic to enhance their food and others take garlic pills for their antioxidant powers and to help thwart heart disease and cancer.

Bad breath can also be caused by aromatic spices, stinky sausages and ethnic foods that will leave you with dragon breath; even red wine can be problematic, leaving you with a pungent odor in your mouth.  But, bad breath from ingesting certain food or drink generally goes away in a day or two, whereas bad breath which is continual and cannot be masked by mints or mouthwash, is of special concern.  Your first stop as you play detective to uncover the source of the bad breath is to see a dentist to determine if you have gum disease, or perhaps, a decaying tooth.  If that is not the reason, the next stop is an ear, nose and throat specialist (or ENT) to see if tonsillitis or a sinus condition might be the culprit.  A dentist in Maplewood NJ can do diagnostic tests to locate the cause of your bad breath. If there are no issues determined by either specialist,  then you must delve further to determine the cause of the problem which may be “stomach breath”.

The Immune System and The Gut

Immune System and The GutIf you are in reasonably good health, you might attribute it to genes (no major health issues in your immediate family), you watch what you eat and you have good gut health.  What the heck is good gut health you ask?

Much scientific research has been done showing the association between a gut-healthy diet and increased immunity and overall health.  If you’re already blessed with good health, you must be doing something right, and, if you want to strive for good health, look below to see what you should be doing going forward.

How to Prevent Gas

It’s Friday at your workplace and the boss is out for the day.  Someone suggests doing Mexican food for lunch and soon all the employees are making a mad dash for the door.  You feast on all that tasty fare and head back to work, however, the rest of the day you swig water until you are sure you can hear that water sloshing around inside of you.  Blame it on the spicy salsa and a few too many warm tortilla chips.  But, not only that, you want to loosen your pants because you feel like a balloon about to burst – must’ve been the refried beans!  Mexican food sure is tasty, but everyone jokes about beans and their aftereffects.