By Steven Rogers, MD
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer, and the second most common cause of cancer death. Five percent of the population in this country will develop it. Symptoms of colon cancer show up quite late in the disease process, mainly because the colon can accommodate a large tumor before bleeding or bowel-movement changes occur. The good news is that colon cancer is really preventable.
By Brent Lemberg, MD
Celiac disease has become an increasingly common diagnosis lately. In the United States nearly two million people have it and we suspect many more remain undiagnosed. Celiac disease is an inflammatory condition of the small intestine caused when the body’s immune system reacts to gluten, which is a protein found in the grains wheat, rye, barley, and oats.
By Peter Brennan, MD
From time to time everyone experiences acid reflux. The typical scenario is on Thanksgiving when you’ve eaten too much, and you decide either to stretch out on the couch for a nap or play a family game of touch football to burn off some calories. As you lay your head on the pillow — or bend over to hike the football — that burning sensation that rises up in your throat is acid reflux. The pressure in your stomach from overeating has caused you to regurgitate stomach acid into the esophagus (the swallowing tube that leads from the back of your mouth to your stomach). It’s an unpleasant sensation, but not serious.
By Brent Lemberg, MD
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammation of the intestines that affects one to two million Americans. The inflammation may affect just the colon (the large intestine) but it can include the entire digestive tract. This disease can be difficult to manage; however, recent advances in treatment are very promising and the prognosis for patients with IBD is much better than it was even five years ago.
By Mary Anne Muldowney, RN, BSN
Believe it or not, the seasons can affect the ability of some people to swallow food, and summertime is one of the worst. Caregivers at Cayuga Medical Center have treated several Emergency Department patients this summer with food stuck in the esophagus (swallowing tube). They had attempted to swallow food particles that were simply too large to pass down into their stomachs. Left untreated, food stuck in the esophagus can lead to serious injury.
By Brent Lemberg, MD
Most Americans are aware that alcoholism and hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, but few people understand the risk of cirrhosis from fatty liver disease. An estimated 15 to 20 percent of all Americans have some degree of fatty liver disease, making it the most prevalent liver disease in this country.
By Steven Rogers, MD
A recent front-page article in the Ithaca Journal drew needed attention to celiac disease. This condition, which damages the gastrointestinal (GI) system, affects about one in 140 people. It produces symptoms that go beyond the GI system and diagnosis can be complicated. Once diagnosed, however, celiac disease can be well controlled with a restricted diet.
From the new Cayuga Endoscopy Center, Registered Nurse Liz Bilinski explains how they plan to reach the goal of 80% of eligible patients getting screened for colorectal cancers by 2018.