Blog Posts | Los Angeles IBD, IBS, and Colon Cancer Surgeons
Do I Have a Bowel Obstruction?
If your body cannot effectively eliminate stool, the toxic backup can cause serious complications and even death if you do not get medical treatment as soon as possible. Severe abdominal pain is just the first symptom of a bowel obstruction, but when pain is this severe it is time to seek immediate medical care no […]
When to See a Proctologist?
Proctology is a term that relates to the branch of medicine aimed at diagnosing and treating diseases arising from the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract. These regions include the sigmoid colon, rectum,and anus. The gastrointestinal tract traverses a digestive path from the mouth to the toilet. This includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large […]
Colon Cancer or Hemorrhoids? See Your Doctor to be Sure
All too often, people assume that issues “back there” must be hemorrhoids, and they just try to grin and bear it until the piles go away on their own. There are two reasons this can be a problem: Hemorrhoids do not always go away on their own; and The symptoms could point to a much […]
Understanding Your Colonoscopy Results
In the past, you had to talk to your doctor to receive your colonoscopy results. With technology today, however, many patients have the opportunity to review their results in detail after the procedure but before they see their doctor again. While we always recommend discussing your results with your doctor after your sedatives wear off, […]
Diverticulitis and Aging
Diverticula, small pockets that develop in the lining of the colon, are common in adults over the age of 50. As you age, your risk of developing diverticular disease increases even further. Most people who have this condition, also known as diverticulosis, never know it, because the diverticula do not usually cause any major symptoms […]
Myths about Colon Cleansers
Know the facts: Your Colon Cleans Itself Search the internet, and you’ll inevitably stumble upon the suggestion for a “colon cleanse.” While the options to cleanse your colon are endless, your colon does an excellent job all on its own – without the help of expensive laxatives or other medication. With a variety of products […]
Coffee Enemas: Are They Worth It?
A coffee enema is a colon cleansing procedure used in alternative medicine. Although common in the 1800s to speed up healing following surgery, the first recorded use in the Merck Manual was in 1972. Today, doctors of alternative medicine often use coffee enemas as part of natural treatment protocols for fighting liver dysfunction, cancer, constipation, […]
Got Gas? Side Effects of a Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy lets your doctor examine the health and condition of your colon and intestines. If you are at least 50 years old or experiencing symptoms, like bloody stools, diarrhea, or constipation, your doctor may recommend getting a colonoscopy to screen for polyps, tumors, ulcers, lesions, or other abnormalities that may be cancerous or turn […]
Stool Softeners: What to Expect
Hemorrhoids are very common. Millions of people suffer from them, especially as they get older. Hemorrhoids are veins outside or inside your anus that are swollen and inflamed, causing discomfort, pain, itching, bleeding, and other symptoms. Usually, you get them from straining during bowel movements, if you are overweight or obese, or if you are […]
Colon Cancer Survival Rates by Stages
As with all cancers, a new diagnosis of colon cancer can be a terrifying experience. In addition to coming to terms with your illness and possibly mortality, you will likely have to address the fears and concerns of your family members, friends, and other loved ones. Perhaps the most important tool for navigating a colon […]