If you’re diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE), understanding what triggers it can go a long way toward reducing your symptoms. This chronic immune system disease causes blood cells called eosinophils to build up in the lining of your esophagus. Flare-ups can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. Dr. Sreelatha Reddy and...
If you’re hoping to boost your overall wellness, including your digestive health, you may want to tend to your gut microbiome — or all of the microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, in your intestinal tract. While the term might sound complex, leading a healthy lifestyle and eating in...
Bothered by acid reflux as years pass by? You’re far from alone. An estimated 40% of people in the United States experience acid reflux on occasion. Of those, up to 20% experience it at least once per week. And while the bothersome symptoms that result can affect most anyone, they’re especially noticeable from age 50 on....
Pancreatitis has become increasingly common in the United States, and it’s no fun. Thankfully, appropriate treatment can go a long way toward reducing your pain and flu-like symptoms — whether they come on suddenly or over time. Importantly, effective pancreatitis treatment can also help protect you from complications, such as organ damage, blocked bile...
Your gallbladder is a sac-like organ located below your liver. It collects and concentrates the bile your liver produces. That bile helps your body digest fat. If you develop gallbladder disease, its symptoms can wreak havoc on your daily life. Knowing your risk factors for the disease may prompt you to...
If you continually struggle to have bowel movements or seldom experience them at all, you know how bothersome constipation can be. Typically defined as having three or fewer bowel movements per week, constipation can be temporary or chronic. Taking care of your symptoms is important for your overall health and...
Bleeding anywhere in your body isn’t a fun thing to think about. But gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding isn’t something you can ignore. It’s important to know why it’s happening so you can get helpful treatment and experience relief. Dr. Sreelatha Reddy and the team at Houston Gastrointestinal & Liver Clinic, P.A. in Sugar Land, Texas, are...
Fatty liver disease is a type of liver disease where excess fat accumulates in your liver, making it tough for the organ to function normally. Several factors can make a fatty liver more likely, including certain infections, a genetic predisposition, and less-than-ideal lifestyle habits. While medical treatment can go far in treating...
Colitis, also known as ulcerative colitis, is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Symptoms usually develop gradually, worsening over time. And while colitis can be debilitating and lead to serious complications, treatment can go a long way toward improving your quality of life and bringing about remission. Dr. Sreelatha Reddy and the...
Tummy trouble is no fun, especially when you aren’t sure of the cause. Is it just a passing issue or something more serious, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? While IBS is common, affecting up to 45 million people in the United States, it’s important to know that it’s manageable. If...
Without a healthy pancreas, you couldn’t digest food or process sugar normally. The long, flat organ sits in your upper abdomen, just behind your stomach, and produces important enzymes. When you have pancreatitis, it means your pancreas is inflamed. While acute pancreatitis develops suddenly, chronic pancreatitis happens gradually, flaring up on...
A well-functioning liver does an excellent job of allowing you to digest food and get rid of toxic substances in your body. When you have liver disease, however, damage to your liver can keep it from doing its job and bring on scarring. And that scarring, known as cirrhosis, can lead...
The most common digestive complaint in the United States, constipation is never any fun. If you’re one of the estimated 16% of people worldwide who experience its discomfort for weeks or months on end, learning to manage your symptoms can enhance your whole life. Doing so may even improve your...
Your gallbladder helps your body digest vitamins and fats by releasing a greenish fluid known as bile. When something’s off within the organ, leading it to function poorly, you’re likely to experience gallbladder pain. Such pain can be debilitating, especially over time. Thankfully, it’s usually quite treatable. Dr. Sreelatha Reddy...
You’ve probably heard the words “prebiotics” and “probiotics,” but what do they actually mean? In short, they’re compounds that can enhance your gut health and more. Some are found in foods, while others are provided through supplements — and they can be especially helpful if you’re dealing with digestive problems. ...
Your pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits behind your stomach in your upper abdomen. Without it, your body wouldn't be able to digest food or process blood sugar normally. When your pancreas becomes inflamed, you have pancreatitis. And whether it occurs suddenly, a condition known as acute pancreatitis,...
You may not think much about your bowel movements until they change dramatically. When you start having far more or fewer bowel movements than you’re used to, or struggling to go about your life as usual because of these shifts, you may have a condition in need of treatment. Thankfully,...
Occasional bouts of mild abdominal pain are usually no cause for alarm. If your pain lingers, becomes severe, or flares up regularly, however, it’s time to see a doctor. Your abdomen contains important organs that can develop severe conditions that lead to complications. Thankfully, most of these conditions are treatable,...
About 4.5 million adults, nearly 2% of the population, have been diagnosed with liver disease in the United States. Your liver is your largest internal organ, located in the upper right part of your abdomen. Your liver regulates chemical levels in your blood, excretes bile, and helps your body metabolize...
You may not think much about your gallbladder until it starts causing problems. The organ located on the right side of your abdomen stores small amounts of bile that are released into your small intestine after you eat to help you break down fats. This is important, but you can...
Acid reflux is extremely common. In fact, roughly 60 million Americans have at least one episode of acid reflux each month. An occasional episode of acid reflux is usually no cause for concern. However, regular bouts are a warning sign of an underlying issue. If you experience regular bouts of...
From frequent cramping and bloating to bouts of constipation or diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is no fun. When IBS symptoms flare up, it’s easy to feel like you’re alone in your struggles. In reality, that’s far from true. Some 10%-15% of people around the world live with IBS, making...
Although no one looks forward to a colonoscopy, this routine screening test provides life-saving benefits for thousands of Americans. In fact, putting it off can be dangerous to your health. Colorectal cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer deaths in America. But even though a colonoscopy reduces your...
