Saturday Aug 30, 2008
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What is Gastroenterology? Stories

What is Gastroenterology?

Video: Dr. Jonathan Cohen of the Concorde Medical Group discusses Gastroenterology.

Gastroenterology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the digestive tract - from the mouth to the anus. Gastroenterolgy studies the functioning and disorders of the esophagus, stomach and intestines, as well as its associated organs such as the liver, pancreas and gall bladder.

There is documented evidence that some forms of Gastroenterolgy were practiced in ancient Egypt. Greek, Roman and Arab practitioners studied the digestive tracts of the human body with specially designed spatula and mirrors illuminated by candles or oil lamps. More complex tools for examining the rectum with dilating specula were found in the ruins of Pompeii. (Read more about What is Gastroenterology?)

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New GERD Procedure Stories

New GERD Procedure

For Julie Bayley there’s nothing better than cooking up an exotic home cooked meal and pairing it with the perfect bottle of wine. But, Julie says that for years her epicurean indulgences left her paying the price…unrelenting vicious heartburn. “It is like a river of lava coming up into your throat and just burning relentlessly and at the same time that is happening there is this pressure on your chest, it is just unbelievable pain,” says Julie.

Julie suffers from GERD…gastroesophageal reflux disease. This chronic reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus is often due to a weakening of tissues that make up the valve-like barrier between the esophagus and stomach. Most GERD patients have abnormal functioning of this valve allowing stomach contents to flow freely into the esophagus causing severe heartburn. (Read more about New GERD Procedure)

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ULCERATIVE COLITIS TREATMENT Stories

ULCERATIVE COLITIS TREATMENT

There is new hope for patients suffering from the gastrointestinal condition known as ulcerative colitis.
The disease can be severe, and often, treatment does not completely relieve the symptoms. Sometimes surgery is the only recourse for patients who suffer from ulcerative colitis. (Read more about ULCERATIVE COLITIS TREATMENT)

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HEARTBURN TREATMENT STUDY Stories

HEARTBURN TREATMENT STUDY

Currently there are several available acid reflux treatments. 60 million Americans suffer from it. One-fourth of these, approximately 15 million, have daily symptoms. That is the case with patient Michael Mills. (Read more about HEARTBURN TREATMENT STUDY)

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Virtual Colonoscopy Stories

Virtual Colonoscopy

Moserata Santana is not worried about colon cancer in spite of the fact that the disease killed her father and brother. She’s getting a screening colonoscopy, and has faith that the colonoscopy procedure will detect anything unusual, before it becomes life threatening. (Read more about Virtual Colonoscopy)

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