- Osteoporosis
- ArthritisMedications - These include oral corticosteroids (prednisone, hydrocortisone, others), synthetic estrogens (Premarin, Ortho-Est, others) for menopause, amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) for heart arrhythmias, tamoxifen for breast cancer and methotrexate Rheumatrex, Trexall), an immune-suppressing medication for rheumatoid arthritis.
- Medical Weight LossBecause early-stage nonalcoholic fatty liver disease rarely causes any symptoms, it's often detected because of abnormal results of liver tests done for unrelated issues. Treatments for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease include weight loss, exercise, improved diabetes control and the use of cholesterol-lowering medications.
- High Cholesterol
- Emergency Care
- ColonoscopyPolyps are growths in the GI tract, of which a very small number could progress to cancer. These growths are routinely removed during colonoscopy to prevent the risk of transformation into cancer. A polypectomy is a procedure performed through a colonoscope or endoscope to remove polyps. This can be accomplished usually with forceps or a snare, with or without the aid of electric current, depending on the size of the polyp.
- Constipation
- Irritable Bowel SyndromeInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to two related but different diseases: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These diseases cause chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract, which leads to a variety of symptoms. The inflammation can also lead to involvement of organs other than the intestines. IBD is a lifelong disease with periods of active disease alternating with periods of disease control (remission). IBD is sometimes confused with but is different than irritable bowel syndrome.
- Diarrhea
- Pneumonia
- GlaucomaAzathioprine can lower white blood cell counts and sometimes causes nausea and poor appetite. Rare side effects are allergic reaction, liver damage, and pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas gland with severe stomach pain.
- CataractsThere are multiple possible side effects from steroids most of which are more likely to develop with higher doses and longer duration of therapy. Early side effects can include mood changes, irritability, difficulty sleeping, increased appetite, and increased blood sugar levels. Side effects associated with long-term use include osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), cataracts, acne, development of a fatty hump at the base of the neck, and a rounded/swollen appearance to the face (moon facies). Although there are possible side effects from these types of steroids, they remain an important part of the medical management of inflammatory bowel disease. With appropriate dosing and tapering regimens, most patients tolerate steroids well.
- Internal MedicineDr. Bohning joins Dr. Breslin as the only physicians to provide ERCP care to the community. Dr. Bohning joined BCGI in July 2008 and also has special interests in esophageal, pancreatic and biliary disorders. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Gastroenterology at Temple University Hospital. Dr. Bohning graduated from Temple University School of Medicine after completing his pre-medical coursework in the University of Pennsylvania’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program. Dr. Bohning received additional training during his fellowship in interventional ERCP, a specialized endoscopic procedure dealing with the biliary tract and its diseases. Dr. Bohning published several articles and abstracts on GERD, gastric motility and esophageal varices during his training. Most recently, he co-authored a book chapter on the relationship of GERD and Cough. While having interests in esophageal and pancreatobiliary disorders, Dr. Bohning treats all gastrointestinal and liver diseases.
- GastroenterologyBucks County Gastroenterology Associates (BCGI), formed in 1990 by Dr. David Popper, continues to provide the residents of Bucks County with the most advanced gastroenterology care in the area.
- Ovarian CancerPersons who have had colorectal cancer or adenomas removed are at increased risk of developing additional adenomas or cancers. Women diagnosed with uterine or ovarian cancer before age 50 are at increased risk of colorectal cancer. These groups should be checked by colonoscopy at regular intervals, usually every 3 to 5 years. Woman with a personal history of breast cancer have only a very slight increase in risk of colorectal cancer.
- Colon CancerMost colon and rectal cancers originate from benign wart-like growths on the inner lining of the colon or rectum called polyps. Not all polyps have the potential to transform into cancer. Those that do have the potential are called adenomas. It takes more than 10 years in most cases for an adenoma to develop into cancer. This is why some colon cancer prevention tests are effective even if done at 10-year intervals. This 10-year interval is too long, in some cases, such as in persons with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's colitis, and in persons with a strong family history of colorectal cancer or adenomas.
- EndoscopyCapsule endoscopy is a procedure designed to help your physician see what is happening inside parts of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is the tube which extends from the mouth to the anus in which the movement of muscles digests food. During the procedure, a patient swallows a vitamin-sized pill with a camera inside. Transported smoothly and painlessly through the gastrointestinal tract by the body’s own natural peristalsis, the PillCam® capsule transmits images of different parts of your body such as the small intestine and the esophagus. After being cleared for marketing by the FDA in 2001, more than 500,000 patients are benefiting from PillCam® capsule endoscopy.
- Stress ManagementSome evidence suggests that IBS is affected by the immune system, which fights infection in the body. The immune system is affected by stress. For all these reasons, stress management is an important part of treatment for IBS. Stress management options include.
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Diabetes Care
- HypothyroidismMetabolic disorders, including hypothyroidism Many people have what is called idiopathic gastroparesis, meaning the cause is unknown and cannot be found even after medical tests.
- Thyroid
- UltrasoundUltrasound. To rule out gallbladder disease and pancreatitis as sources of the problem, you may have an ultrasound test, which uses harmless sound waves to outline and define the shape of the gallbladder and pancreas.
- MRIAfter ingesting the PillCam® Capsule and until it is excreted, you should not be near any source of powerful electromagnetic fields such as one created near an MRI device or amateur (ham) radio.
- X-Rays
- Computed TomographyMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - Instead of X-rays, MRI creates images using a magnetic field and radio waves. Sometimes a contrast dye may be used. The test can take from 15 minutes to an hour. You may find an MRI scan to be more uncomfortable than a CT scan. That's because you'll likely be reclining on a stretcher enclosed in a tube with very little space above you or beside you. The thumping noise the machine generates also is disturbing to some people.
- LaparoscopyThis can be done either open as in conventional surgery or using the laparoscopic approach. Usually in addition to dividing the muscle at laparoscopy it is necessary to perform an anti-reflux procedure.
- BotoxBotulinum toxin A (BOTOX) is a powerful inhibitor of muscle contraction. BOTOX can be injected through an endoscope to relax muscles in the GI tract, including the lower esophageal sphincter (end of the esophagus) in achalasia, and the pylorus (end of the stomach) in patients with gastroparesis. This procedure adds negligible additional risk to standard endoscopy and is used only under certain circumstances. Ask your physician if BOTOX injection is right for you.
- Bariatric SurgeryBariatric surgery - While abdominal weight-loss surgery coupled with rapid weight loss has been implicated as contributing to the development of NASH, some research suggests that bariatric surgery combined with modest weight loss may reduce the inflammation and scarring associated with NASH.
- Acne Treatment
- UlcerIndigestion might be caused by a disease in the digestive tract such as ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but for many people, it results from eating too much, eating too quickly, eating high-fat foods, or eating during stressful situations. Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, using medications that irritate the stomach lining, being tired, and having ongoing stress can also cause indigestion or make it worse.
- LesionsIn ulcerative colitis, inflammation occurs only in the large intestine (colon) and is limited to the inner lining of the intestinal wall. The inflammation nearly always starts in the lowest part of the colon (the rectum) and extends upwards in continuous pattern. The length of colon that is involved varies between patients. In some patients, the inflammation is confined to the rectum only, in others it extends part of the way up the colon, and in others it involves the entire colon. Because the inflammation is confined to the colon, ulcerative colitis is curable by surgical removal of the colon. Crohn's disease, on the other hand, can involve any part of the intestinal tract from the mouth to the anal area. The most commonly involved areas are the lower part of the small intestine (the ileum) and the colon. Unlike ulcerative colitis, "skip" lesions can be found in Crohn's disease- this means that there can be normal areas in between areas that are inflamed. In addition all layers of the intestinal wall can be involved which may lead to particular complications that are seen only in Crohn's disease including: 1. fistula- an abnormal connection between the intestine and other organs, 2. abscess- collection of pus, 3. stricture- an area of narrowing that can lead to intestinal blockage. Because Crohn's disease usually comes back after surgery, it is generally not curable.
- Rashes
- Allergies