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Soothing Heartburn
Heartburn (acid reflux) happens when stomach juices splash up into your esophagus. Find out why you shouldn’t ignore it.
Ask an Expert
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I've been diagnosed with diverticulitis (no longer acute) and have been told to avoid nuts and seeds. Do things like peas, beans, corn count as seeds? What is a good diet to avoid another bout of diverticulitis? (I'm also lactose intolerant.)
In the past, many doctors recommended that people with diverticulitis avoid nuts and seeds. It was thought that these small particles could lodge in the diverticula and cause inflammation (which is diverticulit... continue reading about I've been diagnosed with diverticulitis (no longer acute) and have been told to avoid nuts and seeds. Do things like peas, beans, corn count as seeds? What is a good diet to avoid another bout of diverticulitis? (I'm also lactose intolerant.)
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
How can I get enough calcium when I am lactose intolerant?
It is possible to get enough calcium in your diet without milk products, although it is more difficult. For absorption, calcium relies on other vitamins and minerals, so it is important to eat a balanced nutrit... continue reading about How can I get enough calcium when I am lactose intolerant?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What does gallbladder pain feel like? How do I know if I need medical attention?
The gallbladder is a sack about the size of a fig that is attached to the underside of the liver. Its function is to store bile, which is a substance made in the liver that is necessary to digest fat. When you ... continue reading about What does gallbladder pain feel like? How do I know if I need medical attention?
Katerina P. Shetler, M.D.
Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group
Is the presence of lactose intolerance and/or irritable bowel syndrome typically associated with someone who may also be sensitive to gluten?
Thank you for this very interesting question. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome suffer from abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, loose bowel movements or constipation. Patients with lactose intolerance and ... continue reading about Is the presence of lactose intolerance and/or irritable bowel syndrome typically associated with someone who may also be sensitive to gluten?
Katerina P. Shetler, M.D.
Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group
I have diverticulitis and a few months ago had a serious attack. I was treated with 14 days of antibiotics and I'm okay now. I had a colonoscopy and the report said "severe diverticulitis of entire colon." Is there any way to get rid of these "pockets”?
I'm sorry to hear about your issues with diverticulitis.Diverticulosis is a very common problem. Diverticula form at points of weakness within the colon wall. Once you developed diverticula, they are unlikely t... continue reading about I have diverticulitis and a few months ago had a serious attack. I was treated with 14 days of antibiotics and I'm okay now. I had a colonoscopy and the report said "severe diverticulitis of entire colon." Is there any way to get rid of these "pockets”?
Vinod K. Kurupath, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
I have been diagnosed with a digestive disorder and I may be a candidate for an endoscopic ultrasound. What are the benefits of this procedure?
In conventional endoscopy, the gastroenterologist can only view the innermost lining of the digestive tract. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) allows a doctor to look at more than the inner layers of the gastrointest... continue reading about I have been diagnosed with a digestive disorder and I may be a candidate for an endoscopic ultrasound. What are the benefits of this procedure?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My boyfriend (44) is constipated. He has taken three or four different kinds of laxatives but they don't seem to be helping him. What will help him?
Constipation means difficult and less frequent bowel movements. The stool becomes hard, dry and sometimes painful to pass. At one time or another, almost everyone gets constipated. In most cases, it lasts a sho... continue reading about My boyfriend (44) is constipated. He has taken three or four different kinds of laxatives but they don't seem to be helping him. What will help him?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter West Bay Medical Group
I have hemorrhoids and banding has been recommended. What is it, what are the benefits, and what is the downside?
About 10 million Americans suffer from hemorrhoids, which are veins in the rectum and anus that swell and can itch and bleed. Some hemorrhoids get small blood clots (thromboses) and these are exquisitely painfu... continue reading about I have hemorrhoids and banding has been recommended. What is it, what are the benefits, and what is the downside?
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus
I had a partial hysterectomy in 2005 but still have my ovaries. A year later, I began to have cramps, gas and bloating every 28 days. Recently these symptoms began to appear every week. How much longer can this go on?
Many women after a hysterectomy can still have "cycles" if their ovaries are in place. They will not bleed since the uterus is no longer present, but they can still have the usual bloating and other PMS symptom... continue reading about I had a partial hysterectomy in 2005 but still have my ovaries. A year later, I began to have cramps, gas and bloating every 28 days. Recently these symptoms began to appear every week. How much longer can this go on?
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