Latest Articles by Gastroenterology Associates

Colorectal cancer (CRC), also called colon cancer, occurs in the last two parts of the digestive tract: the large intestine, or colon, and rectum. Symptoms of colorectal cancer include persistent abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and blood in the stool.

When a patient is diagnosed with colorectal cancer, one of the first questions they’ll want to be answered is: “What stage is it?” Stages of colon cancer, like most others involving a tumor, are broken down into five groups, labeled 0 to 4. The numbers increase with the severity of the disease.

People with celiac disease must maintain diets completely devoid of gluten to avoid aggravating symptoms that damage the bowel. A diagnosis may seem severely limiting, with an endless sea of "no"—no bread, no pasta, no beer—but with some nutritional guidance, celiac patients can enjoy delicious meals with the same confidence the unafflicted may take for granted.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of two common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The other is Crohn's disease. Both are chronic conditions—there is no cure for IBD—with some important differences. While Crohn's may affect any portion of the gastroinstestinal tract, for example, ulcerative colitis tends to only impact the innermost lining of the colon (large intestine) and rectum.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal condition, and one of the two most common forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD. The other is ulcerative colitis. First described by Dr. Burrill B. Crohn in 1932, Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, whereas ulcerative colitis strictly impacts the colon.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) associated with varying triggers, including stress, depression, anxiety, or previous intestinal infection. Approximately 10% of people suffer from IBS, making it the most common FGID.

You may be instructed to visit a gastroenterologist, a digestive diseases specialist, if you are experiencing symptoms such as abnormal bowel movements, rectal bleeding, frequent heartburn, abdominal pain, bloating, trouble swallowing, or are of age to begin regularly screening for colorectal cancer.

Your colon is an integral part of your digestive system. This year, an estimated 97,220 people in the United States will be diagnosed with colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer.