Did you know that Dr. Steins office offers Capsule Endoscopies?
This procedure uses a camera vitamin-size capsule you swallow that will travel through your digestive tract to help your doctor see inside your small intestine.
Diarrhea is a common problem and luckily, diarrhea is usually short-lived, lasting no more than a few days. But, when diarrhea lasts for weeks, it usually indicates that's there's another problem. If you have diarrhea for weeks or longer, you may have a condition such as irritable bowel disorder, or a more serious disorder, such as a persistent infection or inflammatory bowel disease. This would be a good time to visit your doctor.
**We are open for in-office appointments Monday- Friday, as well as Telemedicine Visits for select follow-up visits. We are performing procedures Monday- Saturday. **
Inflammatory bowel disease is treated overall by reducing the inflammation associated with symptoms. We use a combination of agents consisting of anti-inflammatory such as mesalamine, then stepping up to steroids such as prednisone and budesonide and in the past would then go to an anti-metabolite such as Imuran or methotrexate.
What is been a game changer are the biologic agents that target the root cause of the inflammation. The majority are given by an IV infusion, some are given by injection and there are a few oral agents also. Some of these were the same drugs that we used to treat rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Dr. Stein offers in office infusions of the biologic agents.
**We are open for in-office appointments Monday- Friday, as well as Telemedicine Visits for select follow-up visits. We are performing procedures Monday- Saturday. **
#FunctionalChestPain
Sometimes individuals have pain in their chest that is not like heartburn (no burning quality) and that may be confused with pain from the heart. Particularly if you are over 50 years of age, your doctor will always want to first find out if there is anything wrong with your heart, but in many cases the heart turns out to be healthy.
In many people with this kind of pain and no heart disease, the pain comes from spastic contractions of the esophagus, or increased sensitivity of the nerves in the esophagus, or a combination of muscle spasm and increased sensitivity.
#Achalasia is diagnosed when there is a complete lack of peristalsis within the body of the esophagus. In addition, the lower esophageal sphincter does not relax to allow food to enter the stomach.
Most people with achalasia have symptoms for years prior to seeing a physician that may include:
• Difficulty swallowing both liquids and solids
• Regurgitation
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Atypical chest discomfort
Pain can arise from any of the structures within the abdomen or the abdominal wall, this is Abdominal Pain Syndrome. There are many possible causes of pain. Check out the table in the link below to see some of the more common causes of pain:
https://gi.org/topics/abdominal-pain/
We all have gas in our intestinal tract. Excessive gas can contribute to a sense of bloating (fullness), belching, abdominal cramps, and flatulence (gas). Excessive air swallowing, and certain foods and carbonated beverages are significant contributors to belching and flatulence. Some patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) appear to be uniquely sensitive to normal or only slightly increased volumes of intestinal gas and may develop abdominal cramps as a result. Patients with altered anatomy due to surgery or those with certain rheumatologic diseases may be at an increased risk of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine which can lead to belching, bloating or flatulence. Other possible causes are pancreatic insufficiency, dietary intolerances or other conditions.
If you notice this happening, call the office for an appointment to evaluate this symptom at 281-762-6300.
**We are open for in-office appointments Monday- Friday, as well as Telemedicine Visits for select follow-up visits. We are performing procedures Monday- Saturday. **
Find #FortBendGastro on our other social media channels!
Gastroesophageal reflux is a physical condition in which acid from the stomach flows backward up into the esophagus. People may experience heartburn symptoms when excessive amounts of acid reflux into the esophagus. Many describe heartburn as a feeling of burning discomfort, localized behind the breastbone, that moves up toward the neck and throat. Some even experience the bitter or sour taste of the acid in the back of the throat. The burning and pressure symptoms of heartburn can last for several hours and often worsen after eating food.
Frequent heartburn (two or more times a week), food sticking, blood or weight loss may be associated with a more severe problem known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
For an evaluation of these symptoms, please call our office at 281-762-6300 for an appointment.
Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is the most common form of iron overload syndromes, i.e. diseases in which too much iron builds up in one’s body. This extra iron is toxic to the body and can damage organs, lead to illness or even death.
Symptoms may begin anywhere from 30 years to 60 years of age, although in some rare cases they can occur as early as 20 years.
Many of the early symptoms of HH are nonspecific, including weakness and fatigue, impotence or decreased sex drive in men, early menopause in women and general muscle aches and abdominal pain. These symptoms can also be caused by a number of other medical problems unrelated to HH. With over 30 different symptoms associated with HH, the disease can be extremely difficult to diagnose. Women usually are protected from developing symptoms until after menopause as regular menstrual blood loss depletes just enough iron to keep the disease under control.
For an evaluation of these symptoms, please call our office at 281-762-6300 for an appointment.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that you'll need to manage long term.
The signs and symptoms of IBS vary but are usually present for a long time. The most common include:
• Abdominal pain, cramping or bloating that is related to passing a bowel movement
• Changes in appearance of bowel movement
• Changes in how often you are having a bowel movement
Other symptoms that are often related include bloating, increased gas or mucus in the stool.
For an evaluation of these symptoms, please call our office at 281-762-6300 for an appointment.
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a term used to describe one or more symptoms including a feeling of fullness during a meal, uncomfortable fullness after a meal, and burning or pain in the upper abdomen. Indigestion is common in adults and can occur once in a while or as often as every day.
Most people with indigestion experience more than one of the following symptoms:
• Fullness during a meal. The person feels overly full soon after the meal starts and cannot finish the meal.
• Bothersome fullness after a meal. The person feels overly full after a meal—it may feel like the food is staying in the stomach too long.
• Epigastric pain. The epigastric area is between the lower end of the chest bone and the navel. The person may experience epigastric pain ranging from mild to severe.
• Epigastric burning. The person feels an unpleasant sensation of heat in the epigastric area.
For an evaluation of these symptoms, please call our office at 281-762-6300 for an appointment.
#GetToKnowFBG #FortBendGastroenterology
Cirrhosis of the liver refers to scarring of the liver which results in abnormal liver function as a consequence of chronic (long-term) liver injury. In the United States, approximately 5.5 million people (2% of the U.S. population) are affected by cirrhosis, it is the seventh leading cause of death among adults between the ages of 25 and 64.
The signs and symptoms of liver cirrhosis may be absent or non-specific at early stages. Early non-specific symptoms include fatigue and itching. As scar tissue replaces healthy tissue and liver function worsens, a variety of liver-related symptoms may develop.
Since the liver performs many complex metabolic functions, there are many possible complications that can develop due to cirrhosis. In addition, some complications arise more commonly in certain diseases that cause cirrhosis (for example, osteoporosis occurs more commonly in patients with liver diseases that predominantly affect the bile ducts).
https://gi.org/topics/liver-cirrhosis/
#GetToKnowFBG #FortBendGastroenterology
#GetToKnowFBG #FortBendGastroenterology
An upper endoscopy allows your doctor to examine the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract.
The procedure is done under light sedation, then your doctor will use a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope.
The endoscope has a lens and light source that allows the images to be viewed on a video monitor. This is done to help your doctor evaluate symptoms of persistent upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or difficulty swallowing.
#GetToKnowFBG #FortBendGastroenterology
Colon Cancer arises from polyps or growths in the colon and while not all polyps will turn into cancers, this is the mechanism. There are no symptoms associated with polyps, so the current recommendations are to begin screening with a colonoscopy at age 50. If no polyps are found during the colonoscopy the exam should be repeated in 10 years, if polyps are found then the interval will be shorter. Additionally, if you have any family history of colon polyps or cancer, then screening should begin sooner than 50.
To make an appointment for your colonoscopy please call our office at 281-762-6300.
#GetToKnowFBG #FortBendGastroenterology
The two most common types of peptic ulcer are called “gastric ulcers” and “duodenal ulcers”. These names refer to the location where the ulcer is found. Gastric ulcers are located in the stomach and Duodenal ulcers are found at the beginning of the small intestine (also called the small bowel) known as the duodenum.
Many people with ulcers have no symptoms at all. Some people with an ulcer have belly pain. This pain is often in the upper abdomen. Sometimes food makes the pain better, and sometimes it makes it worse. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, or feeling bloated or full. It is important to know that there are many causes of abdominal pain, so not all pain in the abdomen is an “ulcer”.
The most important symptoms that ulcers cause are related to bleeding.
For an evaluation of these symptoms, please call our office at 281-762-6300 for an appointment.
#GetToKnowFBG #FortBendGastroenterology
As we are in the holiday season, there might be more questions about how to manage our heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Here are 4 tips and videos that can help answer those questions! https://www.gastro.org/news/4-tips-to-survive-holiday-heartburn
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease of the large intestine, in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and develops tiny open sores, or ulcers. This condition is the result of your immune system’s overactive response.
Recognizing the symptoms of ulcerative colitis is your first step toward knowing when your disease is in a flare and when to seek medical attention.
The symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary from person to person and about half of all ulcerative colitis patients experience mild symptoms.
• Loose and urgent bowel movements
• Bloody stool
• Abdominal cramps and pain
• Persistent diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain and blood in the stool
For an evaluation of these symptoms, please call our office at 281-762-6300 for an appointment.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are two distinct gastrointestinal disorders, though the differences between the two can be confusing for many people.
IBD: Classified as a disease. This disease can cause destructive inflammation and permanent harm to the intestines. You may have increased risk for colon cancer.
IBS: Classifies as a syndrome, defined as a group of symptoms. This syndrome does not cause inflammation; rarely requires hospitalization or surgery. You are not at increased risk for colon cancer or IBD.
For an evaluation of these symptoms, please call our office at 281-762-6300 for an appointment.
Happy New Year!!
Gastroparesis literally translated means “stomach paralysis”. Gastroparesis is a digestive disorder in which the motility of the stomach is either abnormal or absent.
In healthy people, when the stomach is functioning normally, contractions of the stomach help to crush ingested food and then propel the pulverized food into the small intestine where further digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs.
When the condition of gastroparesis is present the stomach is unable to contract normally, and therefore cannot crush food nor propel food into the small intestine properly. Normal digestion may not occur.
Symptoms of gastroparesis include bloating, nausea, early fullness while eating meals, heartburn, and epigastric pain. These symptoms are often referred to as dyspepsia.
For an evaluation of these symptoms, please call our office at 281-762-6300 for an appointment.
During the pandemic let's not forget that the flu can also be a problem so we strongly recommend, not only getting the COVID-19 vaccine, but also a regular flu shot.
During the pandemic let's not forget the flu can be a problem so we strongly recommend, not only getting the COVID-19 vaccine, but also a regular flu shot.
Stay up to date on your vaccinations! Pneumonia every 5 years, flu shot yearly and during the pandemic COVID-19 as soon as you can get it.
Barrett's esophagus is a premalignant condition that develops in some people who have chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) or inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis). In Barrett's esophagus, the normal cells that line the esophagus, called squamous cells, turn into a type of cell found in the stomach, called specialized columnar cells. Damage to the lining of the esophagus – for example, by acid reflux from GERD – can cause these abnormal changes.
Check out Fort Bend Gastroenterology's website to find out more, http://www.drstanleystein.com/barretts.html
Hemorrhoids are the most common cause of minor rectal bleeding, they are basically varicose veins. Bleeding from hemorrhoids is usually associated with bowel movements. The exact cause of bleeding from hemorrhoids is not known, but it often seems to be related to constipation, diarrhea, sitting or standing for long periods, obesity heavy lifting and pregnancy. Symptoms from hemorrhoids may run in some families. Hemorrhoids are also more common as we get older. Medical treatment of hemorrhoids includes treatment of any underlying constipation, taking warm baths and applying an over-the-counter cream or suppository that may contain hydrocortisone.
For an evaluation of these symptoms, please call our office at 281-762-6300 for an appointment.
During the pandemic let's not forget that flu can also be a problem so we strongly recommend, not only get the COVID-19 vaccine, but also a regular flu shot.
Esophageal dilation is a procedure that allows your doctor to dilate, or stretch, a narrowed area of your esophagus [swallowing tube]. The most common cause of narrowing of the esophagus, or stricture, is scarring of the esophagus from reflux of stomach acid occurring in patients with heartburn. Patients with a narrowed portion of the esophagus often have trouble swallowing; food feels like it is “stuck” in the chest region, causing discomfort or pain.
For an evaluation of these symptoms, please call our office at 281-762-6300 for an appointment.
During the pandemic let's not forget that flu can also be a problem so we strongly recommend, not only get the COVID-19 vaccine, but also a regular flu shot.
Find #FortBendGastro on our other social media channels!
Acute pancreatitis is a condition characterized by abrupt inflammation of the pancreas characterized by swelling and at times even destruction of pancreatic tissue. The most common causes of acute pancreatitis are gallstones and excessive alcohol consumption. Other causes include smoking, high triglyceride levels, high calcium levels, certain medications, abdominal trauma, viral infections, structural anatomic anomalies and genetic abnormalities. The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is made by a combination of symptoms, physical exam findings, and laboratory tests.
For an evaluation of these symptoms, please call our office at 281-762-6300 for an appointment.
During the pandemic let's not forget that flu can also be a problem so we strongly recommend, not only get the COVID-19 vaccine, but also a regular flu shot.
BREAKING NEWS:
For patients undergoing a colonoscopy there is a new prep in pill form, an alternative to a liquid-based colonoscopy prep, called Sutab. The product is administered as a split-dose regimen consisting of 2 doses of 12 pills, the first dose during the evening prior to the colonoscopy and the second during the morning of the colonoscopy. It will still require clear liquids the day before.
Call our office for an appointment: 281-762-6300
March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, more than a million people in the United States count themselves as survivors.
Early detection and treatments make a difference, because there are usually no symptoms from the polyps that colon cancer come from. For patients with no family history of cancer or polyps, you usually want to begin colon cancer screening via colonoscopy at age 50, but if patients do have a family history of cancer or polys then it's best to start earlier.
Knowing the causes and risk factors help prevent colorectal cancer. To schedule your colonoscopy, please call our office at 281-762-6300 for an appointment.