What to Expect from an Upper Intestinal Endoscopy
If you have difficulty swallowing or experience issues with severe acid reflux, you may need an upper intestinal endoscopy, also known as an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy). You may or may not have already been told that you’re in need of this procedure. The good news is, an endoscopy is considered by many patients to be an easy procedure to endure. Before the Endoscopy Before the procedure, your doctor will prepare you thoroughly for the endoscopy. You should not eat or drink anything for...
Tips For Belching, Bloating and Flatulence From Our Gastroenterologists
Belching, bloating, and flatulence are typically harmless and will likely go away on their own. They can be embarrassing, though, and can be a bit uncomfortable and annoying. Check out these tips from our San Antonio gastroenterologists that can help you to cure all three. Belching—caused by swallowed air. It can be caused if you eat or drink too fast. Carbonated drinks, sucking on hard candies, chewing gum, excessive swallowing due to postnasal drip or nervous tension, and poor...
Have you turned 50? Time to schedule that colonoscopy appointment
One of the more frightening for many men of a certain age is getting a colonoscopy, something that doctors recommend starting at the age of 50 and reoccurring every five year. The idea of having a probe inserted into one’s rectum can be daunting even for the bravest person. But it is actually not all that bad. Indeed the most aggravating part takes place the day and night before. In order to prepare for a colonoscopy, you will be obliged to take a number of medications and supplements that...
Things you need to know about an upper intestinal endoscopy
General Information During this procedure a doctor will look at the interior part of your esophagus, the first part of your small interested and your stomach lining. In general, endoscopies are performed due to symptoms such nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal bleeding. But upper intestinal endoscopies are performed to find problems with upper intestinal tract such as Ulcers, Cancer, and inflammation of the stomach or the esophagusThe term...
Those Three Little Words: Upper Intestinal Endoscopy
Upper intestinal endoscopy may not be the most romantic of terms, but it is one that you may have heard from your doctor. So, what does it mean? Upper Intestinal Endoscopy, also known as Upper GI Endoscopy, is a minimally invasive procedure that allows a doctor to examine the upper portion of the intestinal system using an endoscope – a tiny camera attached to a flexible tube. During the procedure a gastroenterologist will gently guide the endoscope through the upper digestive system...
Preparing for a Colonoscopy in San Antonio
Do you have a colonoscopy coming up? If so, chances are, you are dreading it. Really, it isn’t so bad. Isn’t it better than pain or uncontrollable bowels? When you have a San Antonio colonoscopy in your future, the information that follows can help. The Bright Side While you may being doing nothing but thinking about how awful your upcoming procedure is going to be, why not focus on the positive side of things? Naps: Once the procedure is finished, you will be able to go home and get...
Preparing for your colonoscopy
Having a colonoscopy is an important step in maintaining your good health and helping ensure you don’t develop colon cancer, a leading cause of death in the U.S. While the procedure itself is simple and straightforward, many people are anxious about the pre-op preparation that’s required. The good news is: It’s not nearly as nerve-racking as it sounds. Yes, you have to clear your bowels. This is probably the step that’s most concerning to anyone who’s considering having a...
Virtual colonoscopy: What is it, and is it a good choice for me?
During the past decade or so, news reports have helped raise awareness of the deadly risks of undetected colon cancer and the important role colonoscopy can play in detecting cancer in its early stages. Most reports have focused on the use of “traditional” colonoscopies that use a long, flexible, thin tube equipped with a camera to view the lower intestine and search for polyps. But in recent years, there’s also been a lot of talk about a non-invasive technique known as a “virtual”...
Study says aspirin may be beneficial for some colon cancer patients
A new study conducted by researchers in the Netherlands indicates a regimen of low-dose aspirin could be helpful to some patients with colon cancer, reducing the death rate and potentially adding years to these patients’ lives. While other studies have indicated aspirin could pose a benefit to all colon cancer patients, this study takes the results a step further by indicating that low-dose aspirin benefits only specific patients – those whose tumor cells give off a specific antigen known...
Problems Swallowing
Do you encounter problems swallowing. Does it feel like it gets stuck? You may have esophageal one a many conditions related to this problem. The symptoms are sometimes painful or cause you to spit up to try to remedy the blockage. This could also lead to reflux or other more sever issues. The best course of action will be to visit with us to determine exactly what is going on and we’ll suggest a course of action to help you. Causes of Esophageal Blockage There are several causes of...