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 Haydeck

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 »



Cost and convenience important for quality health care

January 28th, 2010 by Dr. Charles O'Connor

At GIA, we are committed to providing the very best in gastrointestinal health care for our patients. That means board certified physicians, skilled nurses and caring support personnel. We have one of the most educated and experienced staffs and one of the most technologically advanced facilities available. Read the rest of this entry »



Your Gallbladder Can Be a Pain

December 30th, 2009 by Dr. Steven J. Bindrim

The pear-shaped organ known as the gallbladder may only be three to four inches long, but it can be a large pain if it is not working properly, causing damage to pancreas, liver or even resulting in death if left untreated.

The gallbladder is a storage tank for bile produced in the liver until the body needs it for digestion. Problems occur when the bile hardens into little pebble-like substances called gallstones and block the release of bile into the digestive system. Gallstones can be as big as a golf ball or as small as a grain of sand. Many people with gallstones don’t even know they are there. Read the rest of this entry »



Getting to the Right Source

December 16th, 2009 by Dr. Bergein Overholt

Are you on Facebook? We are!

We have also posted some news highlights on YouTube.

I am finding new media is opening up incredible ways to provide information that can help keep people well – and for others to share that information with people who need it. Read the rest of this entry »



Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be more than just an irritation

November 24th, 2009 by Dr. Maria B. Newman

Over 55 million Americans suffer with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It is extremely common and often ignored.

Symptoms of IBS include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal cramps and bloating. For some people, symptoms are mild; many don’t even seek treatment for the condition. For others it can be very distressing and make it difficult to carry on normal daily activities. Read the rest of this entry »



GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day Huge Success

October 22nd, 2009 by Dr. Bergein Overholt

GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day on Oct. 17 was a huge success.

A total of 48 persons referred by The InterFaith Health Clinic and The Free Medical Clinic of America received free screenings from the physicians and staff of Gastrointestinal Associates and The Endoscopy Center.

I believe I speak for my fellow physicians and the staff when I say that we feel privileged to have helped make the day a success. It was gratifying to all of us to receive the hugs of support and thanks from the patients.

Read the rest of this entry »



Colonoscopies for the Worthy, and a Message for All

October 12th, 2009 by Dr. Bergein Overholt

On Saturday, Oct. 17, the physicians and staff of Gastrointestinal Associates (GIA) will gather at The Endoscopy Center for a very important mission.

With colon cancer ranked as the second-deadliest cancer, GIA is making free colonoscopy exams available to a group of people in the Knoxville area who are less able to afford the vital screening procedure.

Read the rest of this entry »



Is Colon Cleansing Helpful or Balderdash?

October 1st, 2009 by Dr. Bergein Overholt

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal brought to the forefront a long-standing debate between practitioners of conventional and alternative medicine over the value of colon cleansing.

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GIA Confronts Diagnosis Issues With Eosinophilic Esophagitis

September 17th, 2009 by Dr. Bergein Overholt

The increasing prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) has presented gastroenterologists with this decade’s major challenge for diagnosis.

EE is sometimes confused with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) because the symptoms of the diseases are so similar.

EE has been detected in all ages and on every continent, except Africa. Our team here at Gastrointestinal Associates (GIA) is familiar with the latest research on EE and has experience treating the disease.

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