Summer is coming — are you ready? If this is the year you’ve vowed to slim down, now is the time to start. Here are two effective, nonsurgical weight loss solutions that can kickstart your journey.
They itch, burn, bleed, and make it impossible to sit comfortably. You can’t ignore hemorrhoids, but you can relieve the misery with a few at-home tricks.
You’ve seen a family member struggle with Crohn’s disease, and you’re wondering if you’re doomed to the same fate. Here’s what you need to know about the genetic connection.
Hepatitis C — chronic liver disease — can lead to liver failure, cancer, and death. Unfortunately, its early signs are so subtle that you could miss it. Here’s what to look for.
You’re in the middle of a presentation and suddenly realize you need a bathroom — now! Everyone with IBS has faced this and other embarrassing moments. Here’s how to get through your workday without losing your dignity.
Chest pain can be terrifying. Although heartburn has nothing to do with your ticker, it can mimic cardiac conditions and damage your digestive tract. Here’s when to seek help for heartburn.
Colonoscopies are life-saving screening tests that can spot colon cancer before it gets out of hand. If you’ve scheduled your first-ever colonoscopy, here’s how to ensure it’s accurate and avoid a redo.
You know ulcerative colitis is an incurable inflammatory bowel disease that causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding. But do you know what can happen if you don’t seek treatment? Get to know the UC’s far-reaching health effects.
If you have IBS, the constipation, diarrhea, cramps, and bloating can wear on your body, mind, and spirit — is there any end in sight? Keep reading to discover the most effective treatments and whether there’s hope for an IBS-free life.
The thought of getting a colonoscopy ranks right up there with a root canal and bikini waxing, but dealing with colorectal cancer is much worse. When was your last colonoscopy? Here’s a handy timeline to keep you on track.
Those bulges on your bum make sitting and toileting miserable. How long do hemorrhoids last? Can you get rid of them at home? When do you need to call a doctor? Get help for your hemorrhoids here.
Everyone has a little trouble going number two now and then, but if the problem persists, you may have chronic constipation, which can stem from and lead to a long list of health problems. Here are the signs it’s time to call an expert.
You often hear the terms “acid reflux” and “heartburn” used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. Here’s what you need to know about heartburn and acid reflux, how they affect you, and what you can do about them.
Have you ever thought that losing weight would be easier if you didn’t feel so hungry all the time? That’s the idea behind the Orbera™ Balloon. Keep reading to learn how this revolutionary, nonsurgical procedure works.
Juggling to-do lists, planning and attending parties, and all that food — the holidays are packed with everything you and your IBS try to avoid the rest of the year. Don’t panic. These tips help you handle the season with fewer symptoms and more joy.
You may not have realized the link between Hepatitis C and serious liver disease. Read on to find out why the link is important — and what you need to do.
The number of folks under 50 diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer has steadily risen since the mid-1990s, prompting a recommendation for earlier screenings. Keep reading to find out when you should come in for a colonoscopy.
Watching your weight isn’t vanity — it’s healthcare. Excess weight touches almost every part of your health and well-being. Here are several reasons to lose weight that have nothing to do with appearance.
That burning sensation in your chest means acid from your stomach has backed up into your esophagus. It’s uncomfortable at the moment, but over time, it can be destructive. Here’s how you can prevent it.
They itch, they burn, and they make it hard to sit. You need to get rid of your hemorrhoids, but you’d rather solve the problem in the privacy of your own home, if possible. Here’s how to treat hemorrhoids on your own, and when to seek help.
If you have ulcerative colitis, you know that panicky feeling when you need a bathroom NOW, but there’s none to be found. To prevent those moments and other UC symptoms, avoid these potential flare-up triggers.
You’re looking forward to delivering your bundle of joy for the snuggles, the coos — and finally getting rid of your pregnancy-related heartburn. Yes, there’s a connection. What can you do about it?
Losing weight is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. It seems like nothing works, and you’re hungry all the time. It’s time to try Orbera™ — it’s not a diet, it’s a nonsurgical treatment that gives you the key to lasting weight loss.
When your hemorrhoids make it hard to sit, and you can no longer stand the pain and itching, it’s time to get rid of them. But if the thought of surgery “back there” sounds worse than your symptoms, you’ve got other options.
You may not be excited to talk about your ulcerative colitis and the pain and embarrassment it puts you through, but we think you’ll be excited to learn about how to manage your symptoms with the food you eat. Here’s how your diet can help.
Do you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux? Everybody gets heartburn now and then, but the causes may differ from person to person. Find out what’s behind your heartburn and how to control it before it causes damage.
You’ve tried to take care of them on your own, but those creams and soaks aren’t getting rid of your hemorrhoids. It’s time to get your behind to the professionals. We can banish your painful, itchy hemorrhoids for good in less than a minute.
Millions of Americans are walking around with an infectious disease, and it’s not COVID-19. It’s hepatitis, a potentially life-threatening illness that is easily spread to others. Fortunately, it can be treated and managed well. Here’s how.
Any Chicagoan who’s ever indulged in a late night slice of pizza knows what heartburn feels like. But what if it sticks around no matter what you eat? Keep reading to learn what’s going on in your gut.
If it feels like your body conspires against you when you try to lose weight, you may not be wrong. Find out what’s stopping you from shedding pounds and how you can clear the way to a healthier you.
It’s never comfortable to talk about your bathroom business, but if you’re experiencing abnormal stools accompanied by pain and blood, it’s time to find out what’s causing it. Here are some signs it might be ulcerative colitis.
Hemorrhoids are real pain in the … you know what. They bleed, itch, make it hard to sit, and they hurt. If you’re prone to these annoying bulging veins in your anal area, keep reading to find out how to avoid flare-ups.
Spicy food has always been your thing, and pizza tops your list of favorite foods, but lately they’ve been served with a side of heartburn. Find out why acid reflux becomes more frequent as you age and what you can do about it.
Turning 45 this year? Or is that birthday already behind you? Celebrate with a colonoscopy! Put your fears aside and learn what to expect with your first one — and beyond. It’s not as bad as you imagine.
April is Irritable Bowel Awareness Month and a great time to get some answers about your tummy issues, like: is it normal to feel bloated and gassy, and what constitutes “regular” bathroom breaks? Get your answers here.
You’ve lost weight. You’ve gained weight. More than once. When your weight goes up and down, you impair your confidence and your health. If you’re ready to lose weight permanently, it may be time for nonsurgical weight loss. Keep reading to learn more.
Being overweight increases your risk of developing microvascular disease, neuropathy, peripheral artery disease and critical limb ischemia, which can lead to amputation.
Metropolitan Gastroenterology Consultants and Darrien Gaston, M.D., are pleased to announce that the practice has met all Better Business Bureau standards and is now an Accredited Business.
Research suggests that, while willpower is vital to setting goals in the first place, habits and opportunity more accurately determine when you’ll reach a goal.
When it comes to weight loss, Dr. Gaston is here with solutions to making habits stick and hel
Damage to your liver means damage to the rest of your body - and as there are seldom symptoms, liver diseases are typically not diagnosed until it’s too late.
For many of us, summertime means juicy burgers sizzling on the grill, thick steaks done to just-pink inside and sauce-slathered ribs. Unfortunately, eating all that red meat actually means you’ll be enjoying fewer summers in your lifetime.
Research shows a decrease in the incidence and risk of cancer after weight loss procedures. When you undergo a weight loss procedure, your risk of cancer can drop by 33%!
Dr. Gaston and Metropolitan Gastroenterology Consultants is here to explain why getting an abdominal massage - or giving yourself one - is a big benefit to your health.
About a century ago, the American Medical Association published a condemnation of colonic cleansing and the medical community has been pushing back against this harmful practice ever since.
The simple plain truth is that soft drinks, pop, soda, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, sweetened tea, sweetened water and other sweetened beverages are clearly and statistically shown to increase obesity and lead to a decline in overall health.