Digestion Blog

It’s always good practice to plan ahead for emergencies, but that planning becomes even more important when you have specific dietary needs and restrictions.

Grant Glackman, patient and Dr. Rubin Bahuva, Deaconess Clinic Gastroenterologist

You’ve heard that colon cancer screening saves lives. In this article, a patient shares his story about how a routine colonoscopy may’ve saved his life at the age of 61. He and his doctor together explain what a colonoscopy is, and why it’s important.  

Dr. Mark Graves, Internal Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Downtown
 
Probiotics and prebiotics—these are some health and nutrition “buzz words” right now. But do you know what they mean, and how pre-and-probiotics may affect your health?


 

James Gutmann, MD, Deaconess Clinic Mt. Pleasant; Bradley Scheu, DO, Deaconess Clinic Gateway; and Mia Hindi, MD, Deaconess Clinic Gastroenterology

The American Cancer Society recently revised its its colorectal screening guidelines.  Learn more.  

Emily Fortner, RD, Deaconess Weight Loss Solutions

There’s more to fall flavors than just pumpkin spice! This season brings tasty vegetables that are colorful, delicious and loaded with vitamins and minerals. Examples of traditional autumn produce -- and recipes! -- are below.

Carolyn Burns, Clinical Dietitian, Deaconess Weight Loss Solutions
 
Information about healthy eating seems to be everywhere. As a clinical dietitian, I help patients identify food that contributes to better health, disease management, and a healthy approach to weight loss. Over time, I found that the majority of patients have success using the Mediterranean diet.

Amanda Bohleber, MD, Deaconess Clinic Medical Director
 
It’s never been easier to schedule an appointment with a Deaconess doctor or service. Online scheduling is convenient, helps busy families and people on the go, and improves access to the care you need--when and where you need it.
 

Helen Schnarr, Clinical Dietitian, Deaconess

Summer means picnics, barbeques, and other outdoor social events. It also means lots of yummy foods, many of which are not so healthy. Here are some tips--and recipes!--to help you enjoy a guilt-free summer without compromising fun or your weight loss goals. 
 

Dr. Anna Dauer, Deaconess Palliative Care Medical Director, and Andrea Lantz, LCSW, Palliative Care Clinical Social Worker

Perhaps you’ve heard the term “palliative care” but weren’t sure what it meant. Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with chronic illnesses, focusing on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a chronic illness regardless of the diagnosis. The overall goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
 

Andrew Benton, MD Family Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Gateway

When is heartburn more than just heartburn? The quick answer is when the heartburn happens two or more times per week over several weeks, your taco dinner with hot sauce isn’t to blame and it may be time to talk to your doctor about GERD.
 

Ankita Bahuva, MD, Internal Medicine, Deaconess Clinic Downtown

Your doctors’ appointments are an important and valuable time to connect with your doctor, share your perspective and information, and learn from your doctor’s expertise.  The best appointments happen when patients are very prepared.
 

Jacklyn Oakley, MD, Deaconess Family Medicine Residency
 
Few things can make a person as miserable as a case of diarrhea (also known as “the runs, “the trots” and other charming euphemisms).  No one wants to talk about it, but I’m going to because I want to help you know how to treat diarrhea well at home-- both to ease the misery as quickly as possible, and to possibly prevent an unnecessary doctor’s visit.  

Dr. Devi Kodali, Deaconess Cancer Services
 
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, so we are working to increase awareness about the importance of colon cancer screening. Did you know that only 4 in 10 cases of colon cancer are diagnosed at early stages?  

Dr. Christi Pagett, Family Medicine, Deaconess Clinic West

Sometimes heartburn is more than just a reaction to greasy or spicy foods.  It can be a symptom of a chronic condition called GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease.  GERD is a condition where there is a back-flow of stomach contents (including stomach acid) into the esophagus.  

Dr. Greg Rodocker, Deaconess Clinic Family Medicine

Deciding when to see a doctor, whether for your own, a family member or a child’s illness, can be a difficult decision.   You know that sometimes a “virus is just a virus,” and that you just need to rest, drink lots of fluids, and give it a few days. But sometimes an illness needs treatment, whether through antibiotics or other medications and symptom care.

Dr. Kalyana Lavu, Deaconess Clinic Gastroenterologist

IBS is most common in women, and is most common in women under 50. However, men or women at any age can be diagnosed. It does occur in children, but is far more common in adults.  Some of the most frequently asked questions can be found here.