What is a hepatic hemangioma? Hepatic hemangiomas are thought to be present in as many as 7% of healthy people. Hemangiomas are four to six times more common in women than in men. Female hormones may promote the formation and growth of hemangiomas. Hemangiomas, although referred to as tumors, are not malignant and do not...
Is bright red blood in the stool serious? Bright red blood in your stool needs to be evaluated by your doctor. The presence of blood in the stool needs to be evaluated by your doctor. In most cases, the bright red blood in stools is not an immediate threat to life. The most common causes...
Crohn’s disease can be a debilitating disability Both Crohn’s disease and its treatment can pose significant challenges to a person’s personal, social and professional life. Symptoms range from minor abdominal cramps to severe infections, and complications are often debilitating and at times life-threatening. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law prohibiting...
What is open Heller myotomy? An open Heller myotomy is a procedure to cut some muscles in the lower esophagus to improve swallowing ability. Heller myotomy is a surgical procedure that corrects achalasia, a condition that makes swallowing difficult (dysphagia). Achalasia is a grave problem that affects your food pipe (esophagus). A ring-shaped muscle known...
What is a rubber band ligation? The band causes the hemorrhoids to shrink, holding the hemorrhoids in place. The physician removes hemorrhoids in two-four settings, done six-eight weeks apart. A rubber band ligation is a simple, painless, and highly effective procedure that involves placing a rubber band around hemorrhoids to cut off its blood supply....
Hepatitis A facts* *Hepatitis A facts medical author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD Hepatitis A is an inflammatory disease of the liver caused by a virus. Hepatitis A viruses cause the disease termed hepatitis A; it is relatively uncommon since a vaccine became available. People at higher risk to be infected with hepatitis A virus...
What is hepatitis C (HCV, hep C)? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Hepatitis C (HCV, hep C) is one of several viruses that cause hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). It Is hard for the human immune system to eliminate the virus from the body, and 85% of infections with hep C become chronic. Over...
What are hemorrhoids? Minor blood spots can be a symptom of hemorrhoids, but if there's more consistent blood appearing during bowel movements, it could be a sign of colon cancer, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis. Hemorrhoids are itchy, painful, and sometimes bleeding masses of swollen tissues located in the anus and rectum. Hemorrhoid symptoms can...
What is laparoscopic cholecystectomy? During a minimally invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove a gallbladder, the surgeon must make several one-inch incisions in the abdomen. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to remove the gallbladder. In an open cholecystectomy, the surgeon removes the gallbladder through a 5- to 8-inch long incision made on the right...
What should you know about heartburn? A Woman with Heartburn Symptoms Heartburn is a symptom that feels like a burning in your chest, and is a symptom of acid reflux (GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease). Do most people get heartburn? Heartburn is more common during pregnancy. Most people get heartburn after meals, but can also awaken...