NetWellness Digestive Disorders

Liver Test

Julia Thornton MD — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:01:00 EST

Question: Is an ast of 19 and an alt of 12 within normal limits on a liver function test?

Answer: Yes, values between 7 and 40 are usually considered normal.

Ask an Expert: Julia Thornton MD, Digestive Disorders

Food Goes Down Slowly & Sticks on the Way

Annette Kyprianou MD — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:01:00 EST

Question: Why when I eat solid food, I swallow the food & it takes a slow decent down, stopping at breastbone. I need to stand up and I feel like I am going to choke. I am breathing through my nose, but it scares me. It will then go down and I feel it move to my stomach. Why do I get this? I am a 48 year . . .

Answer: Food sticking, or dysphagia as it is medically known, needs evaluated with either a barium swallow (x-ray) or an upper endoscopy. It is likely a benign process such as a hiatal hernia or narrowing caused by reflux. But it can also mean something more serious like a stricture or a tumor. Your primary . . .

Ask an Expert: Annette Kyprianou MD, Digestive Disorders

Buscopan and Dicetel for IBS

Annette Kyprianou MD — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:01:00 EST

Question:

I was having diarrhea for 7 weeks and then the stomach pains started. The pain is around my navel across my waist and down the side all on my left side. I we treated with antibiotocs for diverticutlitis or crohns. They didn`t help and actually the symptoms got worse. It got so bad I went to my do . . .

Answer: To be honest with you, I have never prescribed Buscopan nor Dicetel for IBS. I have read about Buscopan being used for IBS but not Dicetel. Most people with IBS either take medications every day because they are symptomatic more often than not or as needed if symptoms occur less often. It depends on . . .

Ask an Expert: Annette Kyprianou MD, Digestive Disorders

Post Gallbladder Removal Problems

Syed Ahmad MD — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:01:00 EST

Question: I had my gall bladder removed April 3rd 09`. I have have endured more pain and problems after i had my gall bladder removed than before. I follow an extremely low fat diet and i exercise on a regular basis but it still persists. Normally I will be constipated for several days even weeks and thats wi . . .

Answer: Your problems could be from many different things and it is too difficult to try to diagnose based on your email. Possbile causes would include pancreatitis, irritable bowel disease, Chron's and Ulcerative Colitis. Many of these have been ruled out based on your email, however, having a specialist l . . .

Ask an Expert: Syed Ahmad MD, Digestive Disorders

Gastroparesis

Annette Kyprianou MD — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:12:00 EST

Question: I have been diagnoised with gastroparesis and am trying to control it with diet and Nexium (2x daily). 12 years ago I had a Highly Selective Vagotomy, which is believed to be the cause. I tried reglan and suffered side effects. The current issue is even with the Nexium and diet changes, I still have . . .

Answer: From your short explanation of symptoms, gastroparesis does not appear to be primary problem but likely is a contributing factor given your vagotomy. Reflux of stomach contents because stomach is not emptying may be the most logical explanation for your symptoms. Confirming reflux with a pH probe (p . . .

Ask an Expert: Annette Kyprianou MD, Digestive Disorders

HCV & Seizures?

Julia Thornton MD — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:12:00 EST

Question: I recently had full blood work & a CT scan of the abdomin to check on the liver. Biliary had the only "bad" #`s. The scan showed no carcinoma. The only biopsy showed a "0" done in early 2000. I do have a # of signs, such as lack of energy, swelling legs, etc. I average 3-4 au . . .

Answer: The more common side effects of treatment for HCV are fatigue, muscle aches, depression (or worsening of depression if it already exists), low white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet counts. Some people also develop new rashes. These are definitely the most common side effects.

Ask an Expert: Julia Thornton MD, Digestive Disorders

Sliding Hiatal Hernia Symptoms

Annette Kyprianou MD — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:11:00 EST

Question: I have been diagnosed with a sliding hiatal hernia, GERD and esophagitis. A motility test indicated nonspecific esphageal motility. I have had chest pains, shortness of breath, astmatic symptoms, a feeling of bloating, pressure, or fullness,essentially the full cadre. I have been on every antacid kn . . .

Answer: Most definitely a hernia can be the root of all your problems. A surgeon visit would be helpful to explain risks and benefits of fixing hernia and then you can decide with full information whether it would be useful or not.

Ask an Expert: Annette Kyprianou MD, 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

Collagenous Colitis - What Can I Do About It?

Julia Thornton MD — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:10:00 EST

Question: I have had this complaint for decades (it was only diagnosed last year) and am slowly getting results from restricting my diet mainly - no medication has worked for long. I am avoiding fats and oils, gluten, salicylates and dairy foods so my diet is absurdly restricted. I still get symptoms and am s . . .

Answer: It sounds like you're doing all of the right things. There are multiple medications used for treatment for collagenous colitis from antidiarrheal medications to antibiotics to other medications that are more commonly used for ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease but may also work in more severe cas . . .

Ask an Expert: Julia Thornton 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