NetWellness Digestive Disorders

Transplants - Liver

Amit Tevar MD — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:11:00 EST

Question: I know a white person who is a candidate for a liver transplant. She states she is on a long waiting list and can not receive a liver from a black person. I think this untrue and that she can receive a liver from any person whose liver matches the specifics of her body. Someone is feeding her misinf . . .

Answer: You are absolutely correct that the distribution of donated livers for transplant is based on severity of recipient condition and blood type...only. It is not based on race. Thank you.

Ask an Expert: Amit Tevar MD, Digestive Disorders

Ulcers and Low Dose Entric Asprin

D. Ferguson MD — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:09:00 EST

Question: I have been taking low dose coated asprin for over 10 years for heart attack and stroke prevention. Recently had 2 stomach ulcers. Had to go off the asprin. Is it possible to still take asprin once the ulcers have healed? They we caused by h. pyroi bacteria and treated by a week of large doses of an . . .

Answer: Low dose aspirin has been associated with gastric ulcers. The combination of positive H pylori state (having the H pylori infection) and aspirin use has higher chance of getting ulcers. If your doctor really wants you on the aspirin, then you should continue to take it but use an anti-ulcer medicati . . .

Ask an Expert: D. Ferguson MD, Digestive Disorders

Gall Bladder Polyps

Annette Kyprianou MD — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:09:00 EST

Question: I have been plagued for years with RUQ pain. Last year they did a CT scan after a hysterectomy and said I had gallstones. This month the pain got so bad I went to the ER. They admitted me and ran a CT Scan which showed no gallstones, they also did A HIDA scan which showed polyps ans an ejection frac . . .

Answer: Basically your gallbladder is not functioning as it should. The ejection fraction should be above 35-40%, meaning 40% of the bile gets drained with each contraction. Only 1% of yours does. You need your gallbladder removed.

Ask an Expert: Annette Kyprianou MD, Digestive Disorders

Possible Pancreatitis?

Amit Tevar MD — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:09:00 EST

Question: My mother was diagnosed with Von Hippel Lindau disease and had both her adrenal glands removed because of pheochromocytoma, and a whipple procedure because of an islet cell tumor. Her problems began around age 30. I am 27 and recently have been experiencing unjust and prolonged anger, excessive weak . . .

Answer: There is 50% chance of inheriting an expressive VHL syndrome. The etiology of the symptoms you describe does include islet cell tumor or pheochromocytoma. The symptoms as described are severe and I would recommend immediate consultation with a physician for serum and urine labs and imaging studies. . . .

Ask an Expert: Amit Tevar MD, Digestive Disorders

Liver Cyst

Julia Thornton MD — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:09:00 EST

Question: I called the doctor`s office today to ask them how the results of my cat scan done 2 months ago. I never heard anything about my test. The doctor`s office nurse said I had to have ultrasound done due to 200 millimeters of a spot that looks like a cyst. What is 200 millimeters in inches? The nurse di . . .

Answer: Cysts are very common in the liver, usually don't cause problems and are frequently picked up on CT scans done for completely other reasons. An ultrasound was probably recommended because it can look at the liver in a different way than a CT scan and tell more detail about the cyst. Sometimes MRI sc . . .

Ask an Expert: Julia Thornton MD, Digestive Disorders

What is Youngest Case of Gall Bladder Attack?

Syed Ahmad MD — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 10:09:00 EST

Question: My daughter is 15 yrs. old and has experienced all the symptons of a gall bladder attack. the first time she had an attack was 4 months ago. we took her to the doctor who said her gall bladder was producing too much bile. I treated her @ home with raw,grated beets mixed with flax seed oil and juice . . .

Answer: I would have her evaluated by a GI (gastrointestinal) doctor. She may need an ultrasound of her gallbladder to see if there is a problem.

Ask an Expert: Syed Ahmad MD, Digestive Disorders

Sudden Onset of Severe Acid Reflux

Julia Thornton MD — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:08:00 EST

Question: Howdy!

Say, I began to develop acid reflux symptoms this last winter. I changed my diet and elevated my sleeping posture. That seemed to work for awhile.

But starting about 4 months ago I began to have quite severe acid reflux EVERY morning. I finally began taking enzymes and that, along w . . .

Answer: I would recommend you see your primary care provider regarding your new symptoms to further discuss them. The additional information they will need will be the name of the "enzymes", if you've tried an acid reducing medication, and what other medications you're taking. Sometimes acid reflux is worse . . .

Ask an Expert: Julia Thornton MD, Digestive Disorders

Diet While Experiencing Gall Bladder Pain

NetWellness Staff . — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:08:00 EST

Question: I get pain on the left side of my side and am told I have gall bladder problems. I am 80 years old and also have diabetes. What can I eat? I am living on ginger ale and noodle soup. My doctor is no help. She just tells me to be careful what I eat. I don`t know what to eat.

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. A question similar to yours has been previously addressed. The links below will connect you to that information. NetWellness may also have some general information available that you can access through our Ask an Expert: NetWellness Staff ., Digestive Disorders

Laproscopic Surgery

Syed Ahmad MD — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:08:00 EST

Question: I have been diagnosed with a large hiatal hernia, mutiple Gallstones and bleeding polyps in my stomach. I went to a surgeon and he said he does do laproscopic surgery but said 25% of patients have a failure to this procedure where as open stomach surgery, he has had only one return in 20 years he ha . . .

Answer: You will have to base your decision on the skill set of the surgeon. Sometimes surgeons who are very good laparoscopists can do difficult operation without large incisions. If you surgeon is not comfortable doing difficult cases laparoscopically, then I would go for an open procedure. This approach . . .

Ask an Expert: Syed Ahmad MD, Digestive Disorders