Los Angeles Endoscopy Center

What is Silent Reflux? When you think of #acid #reflux, you probably think of #eartburn and #indigestion. And while it’s true that these are the hallmark signs of #gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in some cases, acid reflux produces neither of these symptoms. Silent reflux is a condition that often does not cause heartburn but can still be just as troublesome for your #health. #Silentreflux, also known as #laryngopharyngeal reflux, is a condition that affects over 50 m...illion Americans. It is a complication that occurs when the esophageal sphincters the muscular rings at the top and bottom of the esophagus do not work properly. Stomach acid is then able to travel through the esophagus and into the larynx (voice box), pharynx (back of the throat), sinuses and even the nasal cavities. These areas, which are not able to tolerate gastric acid, become inflamed. Call us now @ (213) 387- 9000 for more information about our services or visit our website @ http://www.laendo.net/

The Importance of Finding a Skilled Gastroenterologist You probably performed quite a bit of research before buying your last home, car or cell phone. But how much time did you spend researching your gastroenterologist? New research shows that choosing an experienced gastroenterologist with a proven track record in adenoma (polyp) detection could reduce your risk of developing colon cancer by nearly half. The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) reported the correlative res...earch of 14 study authors who evaluated electronic health records from 264,972 screening colonoscopies performed between 1998 and 2010. From these records, the researchers identified 136 gastroenterologists to be evaluated. All physicians had performed at least 300 colonoscopies, with at least 75 of them being screening procedures. The doctors’ rates of adenoma detection varied from 7.4 to 52.5 percent. The researchers ranked the physicians into five groups known as quintiles based on their rate of adenoma detection. They then evaluated patients’ records and found 712 cases of colon cancer that developed six months to 10 years after the screening. The results showed that patients whose doctor ranked in the highest quintile of adenoma detection were only 52 percent as likely to develop colon cancer as the patients whose doctor fell into the lowest quintile. Patients of doctors in the highest quintile had a 43 percent rate of advanced tumors in comparison to patients with doctors in the lowest quintile, and only a 38 percent chance of dying from growth of an interval colon cancer (Source: Forbes). The study results underline the importance of doctors’ skill level in performing colonoscopy procedures and how the detection and removal of adenomas can prevent colon cancer from developing. As explained in the NEJM blog, each one percent increase in adenoma detection rate brought with it a three percent decrease in interval cancer risk and a five percent decrease in risk of fatal colon cancer. Both men and women should begin routine colonoscopy screening at age 50. Whether you’re looking for a gastroenterologist or you already have one, be sure to ask for the physician’s adenoma detection rate, which should be at least 25 percent in men and 15 percent in women. Also ask for their average withdrawal time, which should be an average of six minutes. This the amount of time spent removing the scope from the colon, when the physician should be carefully examining for polyps (Source: American College of Gastroenterology). While physicians are not required to share this information with patients, their willingness to do so is always a good sign. And as a patient, it’s important to know that you should never be afraid to ask! Call us now @ (213) 387- 9000 for more information about our services or visit our website @ http://www.laendo.net/

Why settle for Cologuard? If you are considering #Cologuard, a new stool test to detect colon cancer, please be sure to review all your options. First, Cologuard is not covered by any major insurance at this time. This means that in all likelihood you will have to incur about $600 in unnecessary spending out of your pocket. In addition, you would have to collect and deliver stool sample, a chore that most rather not experience. More importantly, Cologuard, although promising,... has not undergone extensive years of clinical testings to see if it can reliably detect colon cancer, particularly at an early stage. So it is possible that this test may turn out not to be useful in the long run. Finally, if the test result for Cologuard is positive, you would have to undergo colonoscopy anyway. Why would you waste you time and money on an unproven alternative? Be well informed and schedule your screening colonoscopy, now at 213) 387-9000. See more

Here are issues that may require an Upper Endoscopy: Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) Weight loss or anorexia (loss of appetite) Upper abdominal pain or chest pain of a non-cardiac origin... Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Intractable vomiting (continuous vomiting from an unknown cause) Strictures (narrowing) or obstructions Gastrointestinal bleeding and esophageal varices (enlarged veins in the esophagus) Inflammation and ulcers Tumors (benign or malignant) Hiatal hernia (upward movement of the stomach, either into or alongside the esophagus) Damage caused by ingestion of caustic substances (chemicals such as lye, household detergents) One added benefit of upper endoscopy is the ability to treat abnormalities on the spot during the procedure. While the endoscope is still in your digestive tract, your physician can remove polyps, collect tissue for biopsy, remove blockages, dilate strictures and even treat bleeding from ulcers or cancer. Upper endoscopy is a safe outpatient procedure that can be performed in about 15 to 20 minutes, but complications can occur. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medications, contrast dyes, iodine, shellfish or latex. Don’t hesitate to discuss any thoughts, questions or concerns you have before the procedure. The more thoroughly you understand the process, the more comfortable you will be overall. Call us now @ (213) 387- 9000 for more information about our services or visit our website @ http://www.laendo.net/ #upperendoscopy #intestine #colon #stomach #endoscopy

What Does Upper Endoscopy Diagnose? Upper endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that provides an up-close look at the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is a valuable tool in diagnosing digestive disorders, because it allows the doctor to visually examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine, known as the duodenum. During this simple outpatient procedure, a thin, flexible, lighted scope equipped with a camera is inserted into the mouth ...and down the esophagus, allowing your physician to carefully view the entire length of the upper GI tract. Upper endoscopy is able to detect disorders that may remain unseen on X-rays, such as cancerous growths or abnormalities. Call us now @ (213) 387- 9000 for more information about our services or visit our website @ http://www.laendo.net/ #intestine #colon #stomach #endoscopy

Constipation Symptoms: When to Call Your Doctor Nearly everyone experiences constipation at some point, and most of the time, it’s not a big deal. Self-treatment and waiting it out for a few days is usually all that’s needed for your body to restore its natural rhythms. But certain symptoms of constipation could indicate a more serious underlying problem. Constipation may not be a topic you feel thoroughly comfortable discussing, but you should see a doctor if you experienc...e any of the following symptoms: Sudden onset of constipation Stomach or abdominal pain Bloody stools Unintentional weight loss Severe pain with bowel movements Constipation that lasts for more than 2 weeks Call us @ (213) 387- 9000 for more information about our services. #Constipation #intestine #colon #stomach #endoscopy #colonoscopy

Fermented foods naturally contain probiotics and lots of them! While most probiotic pill supplements contain about 10 billion colony-forming units of bacteria, fermented foods contain almost 10 trillion colony-forming units. Just one serving of fermented vegetables contains more probiotics than an entire bottle of pill supplements. When you’re shopping for probiotic-rich foods, look for words like raw, lacto-fermented, unpasteurized and live active cultures. Sauerkraut, kom...bucha, pickles and Greek yogurt are known for their probiotic content and can easily be found in most supermarkets. Foods that are fortified with probiotics are less impressive in terms of probiotic content, as the manufacturing process kills off many of the live active cultures. If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, fermented foods are the way to go. They provide a wider variety of probiotics, carry the highest probiotic content, and are far cheaper than pill supplements. But if you’re a picky eater or have certain dietary restrictions (a histamine-restricted diet does not allow fermented foods), this may not be the best route for you. There’s a lot to consider when adding probiotics to your diet, but what matters most is that you do it! Probiotics provide a multitude of health benefits that can change your body from the inside out. So the next time you’re at the grocery store, consider filling your cart with some probiotic-rich foods or a high quality supplement. They’re definitely worth checking out! Call us @ (213) 387- 9000 for more information about our services.

Pros and Cons of Probiotic Supplements Probiotics are all the rage in the health world right now, and rightfully so! These live microorganisms, often referred to as the good bacteria, have been shown to aid in digestion and help build strong immunity. If you’re looking to supplement your diet with probiotics, you may be wondering which method is best. Should you take a pill supplement, or choose foods that naturally contain probiotics? Each method has its own pros and cons..., so here are some things to consider when deciding one works best for you. If you need Colonoscopy, schedule your appointment today, call us @ (213) 387- 9000 #intestine #colon #stomach #endoscopy #colonoscopy

Peter Kostis: Golf Announcer and Colon Cancer Survivor CBS Sports on-course golf reporter Peter Kostis has been a fixture on the golf scene for decades. As a longtime analyst, commentator and world-renowned instructor, Kostis has become a household name for golf fans across the globe. But there’s something even greater that this accomplished reporter can add to his lengthy résumé: colon cancer survivor. Like most colon cancer patients, Kostis had no family history of the dise...ase. He and his wife, Sandy, had been diligent about undergoing their colonoscopies every five years since the age of 50. So, when Sandy scheduled her colonoscopy in March of 2013, she suggested that her husband schedule his procedure for the same time. Kostis wasn’t due for his colonoscopy for several more months, but he scheduled it anyway. This turned out to be a life-saving decision. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosis in the United States. It is both preventable and treatable with routine colonoscopy screenings. If you or a loved one are over the age of 50 and have not undergone a colonoscopy, schedule your appointment today, call us @ (213) 387- 9000 #intestine #colon #stomach #endoscopy #colonoscopy #Coloncancersurvivor

How do you know if you have a healthy colon? The process of digestion from the taking in of food and eliminating waste products takes from 12 to 24 hours if the colon is functional. A person with a healthy colon usually has two or three bowel movements a day, and elimination is easy. The stool should be light brown and should break apart with the toilet flushing. But there are no set rules, and you should check with your primary physician to figure out if you are healthy. The National Colon Health Center advice for a healthy colon is to eat more fiber, drink more water and exercise frequently.

What's Good for Your Heart Is Good for Your Colon You know it’s important to take good care of your heart. After all, a healthy heart is at the very core of good health and well-being. But did you know that when you take care of your heart, you’re taking care of your colon too? Several lifestyle changes that are recommended to keep your ticker in tip-top shape are also beneficial for your colon! Here are some healthy habits you can adopt to lower your risk of heart disease a...nd colon cancer. Call us now @ (213) 387- 9000 for more information about our services or visit our website @ http://www.laendo.net/ #intestine #colon #stomach #endoscopy #colonoscopy

Spices That Aid in Digestion Spicing up your meals is a great way to stimulate your palette and add flair to your cooking. But here’s another benefit you may not have considered: spices can aid your body in digestion, too! Several spices have qualities that naturally stimulate the body’s digestive processes. So the next time you feel like getting creative with your cooking, consider pulling some of these flavorful favorites from your spice cabinet. Call us now @ (213) 387- 90...00 for more information about our services or visit our website @ http://www.laendo.net/ #intestine #colon #stomach #endoscopy #colonoscopy

Zumba for Digestive Health What better way to get your body moving than in a Zumba class? This Latin-dance inspired fitness program feels more like a party than a workout with upbeat music, energetic instructors and neon-colored gear. But make no mistake; you will be torching major calories and sweating bullets as you dance your way to a healthier body. And here’s another benefit you might not be aware of Zumba can naturally boost your digestive health! Zumba falls into the... category of aerobic exercise, which is an integral part of keeping your digestive system healthy. Aerobic exercise promotes digestion by increasing blood flow to the organs and stimulating the muscles of the GI tract. This can prevent uncomfortable conditions like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from occurring. Exercise also speeds up digestion, which lowers your chances of experiencing heartburn or acid reflux. Just 30 minutes of physical activity each day is all you need to make a noticeable difference, and you can easily knock that out in just one Zumba class! Zumba also promotes digestive health by helping you shed excess pounds. Recent studies have shown that weight loss can improve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in overweight and obese patients. Losing 10 to 15 pounds can improve GERD symptoms by up to 40 percent, but weight loss does not have to be drastic to make a difference. Even losing just a few pounds will reduce pressure on the abdomen and help relieve reflux symptoms. So what are you waiting for? Do something good for your body and find a Zumba class near you. It’s a great way to improve your digestion and overall fitness, but chances are, you’ll be having too much fun to care!