Latest Articles by Gastroenterology Associates

Although gluten sensitivity is most commonly associated with Celiac disease—a disorder impacting approximately 2 million people in the United States characterized by severe gluten intolerance—there is a milder form of the condition known as non-Celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Specialists estimate 1% to 3% of the population have NCGS.

Celiac disease and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are two gastrointestinal conditions that present symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and weight loss. If left untreated, both conditions can have severe consequences, so it’s important to understand these disorders, their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.

The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder make up the biliary system, a portion of the digestive system known for absorbing nutrients and disposing of waste. This network can be affected by several conditions ranging from ascites to pancreatic cancer.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gastrointestinal condition that affects the large intestine. An estimated approximately 10 to 15 percent of the world’s population is affected by this disorder, which is also believed to impact between 25 and 45 million people in the United States. 

Approximately 3 million Americans have some form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—an illness defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as “a term for two conditions (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) that are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.” If left untreated, prolonged inflammation can result in major damage to the GI tract. 

A colonoscopy and upper endoscopy are two procedures performed frequently by gastroenterologists to view and examine various portions of your digestive tract. Colonoscopies inspect the large intestine (colon and rectum) while upper endoscopies observe the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine.

Seventy-five million endoscopic procedures are performed each year in the United States, of which 51.5 million are gastrointestinal endoscopies. While a colonoscopy may be the most common, with 19 million annually, there are several others, each requiring specialized dietary guidelines before and after the examination.   

The pancreas is a long gland organ that sits behind the stomach in the upper abdomen and releases digestive enzymes and hormones—namely, insulin—into the body. Thus, it plays a critical role in digestion and blood sugar regulation. Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed.