Weighing in at about three pounds, the liver is the largest organ in your body. It also is an important one, carrying out essential functions such as detoxifying harmful substances in your body, purifying your blood and manufacturing vital nutrients. Read the rest of this entry »
Cirrhosis: A Serious Condition
August 12th, 2010 by Dr. Steven J. Bindrim
Divert-a-what?
July 13th, 2010 by Dr. Meade Edmunds
The Facts about Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
If you’re struggling with abdominal cramps, gas and diarrhea alternating with constipation, you may be one of many people suffering from diverticulosis. Read the rest of this entry »
Let’s Not Complicate Surgery with Infections
June 25th, 2010 by Dr. Bergein Overholt
At Gastrointestinal Associates, we take infection control measures very seriously. We are so committed to this, in fact, that we have never experienced a single infection in our centers as a result of an endoscopic procedure since we began the very first gastrointestinal ambulatory surgery center in 1986. That is a remarkable record, and we are quite proud of it. Read the rest of this entry »
A Closer Look at Crohn’s Disease
June 8th, 2010 by Dr. Raj I. Narayani
Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder, is a chronic inflammation of the intestinal wall that may affect any part of the digestive tract. Crohn’s has become more common in the past few decades, and chances are you know someone with the disease. Read the rest of this entry »
Hemorrhoids: What a Pain!
June 1st, 2010 by Dr. Charles O'Connor
Hemorrhoids, which are basically varicose veins of the rectum, occur when veins in the anal canal or lower rectum become swollen or inflamed. While many people joke about hemorrhoids, this painful condition is no laughing matter. Read the rest of this entry »
Three Things Won’t Change with Health Care Reform
April 29th, 2010 by Dr. Bergein OverholtThree Things Won’t Change with Health Care Reform
By Dr. Bergein F. Overholt
Whatever your political persuasion and feelings about health care reform, the legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President will be a fact that we’ll all have to deal with in the coming months.
As the dust settles on the issue, some aspects of the legislation are clear, but others will take some time to understand and implement.
I can assure you on three important fronts:
• First, at Gastrointestinal Associates, we will continue to be a practice that patients can depend on for accurate and comprehensive information about the health care practices that affect them.
• We also will work very hard to reinforce the bond between patient and physician. To us, that relationship is sacred, and we do not believe that government or anyone else should interfere with the long-standing relationship that exists there.
• And finally, we will continue to provide the highest level of gastrointestinal care and expertise to our patients.
The American medical system, despite its flaws, is still the best in the world, and our physicians represent the best of that system.
This isn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last, that we all will have to deal with change in health care policy, but the points above are our pledge to our patients.
And in a world of change, you can count on that.
Whatever your political persuasion and feelings about health care reform, the legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President will be a fact that we’ll all have to deal with in the coming months.
As the dust settles on the issue, some aspects of the legislation are clear, but others will take some time to understand and implement. Read the rest of this entry »
Research Helps GIA Physicians Achieve Better Outcomes
April 27th, 2010 by Dr. Bergein Overholt
I recently participated in a study with a group of esteemed colleagues to determine if the suggested protocol for performing colonoscopy was, in fact, the most beneficial. The results of this study were published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology (http://www.jcge.com; Vol. 44, No. 4, April 2010). Read the rest of this entry »
Act Now! Colorectal Cancer Can be Prevented
April 8th, 2010 by Dr. David Lee
There is no time like the present to schedule your colonoscopy. Did you know that colorectal cancer is a largely preventable, treatable and beatable disease? It’s true — but you have to take the first step. Read the rest of this entry »
Going Gluten-free
March 5th, 2010 by Dr. Sarkis Chobanian
You may have noticed lately a marked increase in the number of food items in the grocery store labeled “gluten-free.” That is a very important piece of information for a growing number of people diagnosed with Celiac disease as the only medically acceptable treatment for the condition is a 100-percent gluten-free diet. Read the rest of this entry »
Is Heartburn Becoming a Problem?
February 23rd, 2010 by Dr. John Haydek
Here comes the burn: You have just finished a great meal or you lay down to rest and you are hit with that uncomfortable, burning sensation in your chest. Although commonly called heartburn, it really doesn’t involve the heart.
Heartburn affects many of us. In fact the American Gastroenterological Association reports that more than 60 million Americans experience symptoms at least once each month. Read the rest of this entry »
