What is a Colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is a minimally invasive examination of the colon. It is a procedure used most often to screen for colon cancer and/or to identify and correct bleeding problems within the colon. Colonoscopy is an important way to check for colon cancer and to treat polyps.Read More

Hydrocortisone – Pramoxine 2.5 % – 1 % Rectal Cream, Ointment Common brand name(s) Analpram, Rectocort – HC, Pramosone; generics Lidocaine and hydrocortisone Rectal cream, ointment Common brand name(s)(or generic) AnaMantle HC® Cream, AnaMantle HC® Forte; AnaMantle HC® Gel; LidaMantle HC®, LidaMantle HC® Relief Pad™, LidoCort™ Peranex™ HC; Peranex™ HCRead More

Medication Overview In December 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved two new drugs from a new class of drugs which help fight chronic hepatitis C infection: Olysio (generic name simeprevir, made by Janssen) and Sovaldi (generic name sofosbuvir, made by Gilead). Olysio is called a protease inhibitor, sinceRead More

Medication Guide: “Biologics” for IBD This is a medication safety guide for patients deciding to take one of the “biologics” drugs for colitis or Crohns disease. This is adapted from the guide for Biologics but the information applies to all “TNF blocker” drugs in the category. These medications block theRead More

Breakthrough Medications for Cure of Chronic Hepatitis C In late 2014, the FDA approved release of the medication from Gilead Pharmaceuticals called Harvoni, and also approved a combination of two drugs from two different companies, the drug Sovaldi taken with the drug Olysio. Sovaldi (generic name sofusuvir) is actually oneRead More

Medication Overview We often need to know if you are using a medication containing aspirin or what are called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or may warn you not to use any of these. Usually this is because of the potential for any of these to cause or aggravate ulcers orRead More

When everyday foods are hard to digest, causing pain in one’s bowel area, one might discover they have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In some cases, specific carbohydrates may cause the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has long been debated and researched by gastroenterologists. Some think itRead More

A gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes the protein gluten. Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. A gluten-free diet is used to treat celiac disease. Gluten causes inflammation in the small intestines of people with celiac disease. Eating a gluten-free diet helps people withRead More

Eat like a Mediterranean — but how? Here’s what the research says — and doesn’t say — about the Mediterranean diet. When they study the diet, researchers generally use scales of “Mediterranean-ness.” On the most widely used of these, someone with a “perfectly Mediterranean” eating pattern would consume a highRead More

What is dietary fiber? Dietary fiber is defined as indigestible carbohydrate. It’s classified into soluble (in water) and insoluble fiber – each with specific properties and possible health benefits. Soluble fiber dissolves in water; it forms a gel when water is added to it. Insoluble fiber absorbs liquid and inRead More