Doctor is examining the abdomen of patient

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Often called IBS, irritable bowel syndrome is a term used to describe a number of concerns and disorders related to the lower intestinal tract. The most common symptoms here are a condition that seems to get worse when emotional stress occurs. It’s important to distinguish this condition from inflammatory bowel disease, which is a term used to describe digestive conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Most people who suffer from this condition will have abdominal pain and constipation that alternates with diarrhea. This can be brought on by a number of other conditions.

A common cause involves the way the muscle of the intestine moves. A lower tolerance for stretching of this muscle can cause the complication. What’s important to know is that there is no actual structural deformity in IBS. It can occur in any person at any age, though it is most common for it to begin in early adulthood. Women are more likely to have it than men. Some people may be more likely to experience it including those with:

  • Emotional stress
  • Regular use of laxatives
  • Low fiber diets
  • Infectious diarrhea
  • Temporary bowel inflammation

This condition is very common. However, not everyone needs to see a Brooklyn IBS doctor. When conditions interfere with your day-to-day life, then it can be an important investment.

Symptoms include:

  • Diarrhea that is chronic and associated with pain
  • Constipation that is chronic and associated with pain
  • Abdominal distension, fullness, gas, and bloating
  • Abdominal pain or tenderness that worsens after meals and improves after a bowel movement
  • Depression
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
If you believe you have irritable bowel syndrome, our Brooklyn gastroenterologist can help you. There are no real tests for this condition, but some people may require an endoscopy to look for damage to the intestine. In some people, the goal is to rule out other, more serious conditions. Those who are over the age of 50 may need to have a colonoscopy for colon cancer screenings.

Jaundice

Jaundice is a symptom of an underlying ailment. It is not a disease itself. It is evident as a result of yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. This occurs as a result of a high level of bilirubin in the bloodstream. In mild cases, a yellowish tint occurs while in more severe cases, a brown tint can occur.

The chemical bilirubin is found in the red blood cells. As these cells age, they are naturally eliminated from the body. Hemoglobin is released from these destroyed red blood cells once the iron is removed. And, the chemical that remains after the iron is removed is bilirubin.

Jaundice occurs as a malfunction of the liver. The liver is supposed to produce bile into the intestines to help with the digestion of fat. It also works to remove toxins and waste from the blood. Bilirubin is a type of waste product that the liver should remove. When bilirubin enters the liver, the cells of the liver conjugate, which means they attach to other chemicals including glucuronic acid. This attaches to bilirubin and is then secreted into bile. This is then eliminated through the feces. When this does not happen, jaundice occurs.

  • There is too much bilirubin produced for the liver to remove, often due to an abnormally rapid rate of destruction of these cells.
  • A defect occurs in the liver that makes it difficult to remove.
  • A blockage occurs in the bile duct that reduces the flow of bile and bilirubin from the liver, often caused by cancers, inflammation, or gallstones.

If you experience jaundice, seek out our Brooklyn gastroenterologist on Ocean Parkway or in Cobble Hill in Brooklyn, NY to discuss the cause and begin taking steps to overcome the condition.

Call Atlantic Gastroenterology

New patients: 718 521-2840 Existing patients: 718 615-4001 EndoSlim Clinic: 1-877-SIZEOFF (1-877-749-3633)