Author name: Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County

Hemorrhoids appear when the veins inside or outside the anus become inflamed and swollen. You can think of hemorrhoids like varicose veins but inside or nearby your anus.  Internal hemorrhoids can often be pain-free, but cause bleeding during bowel movements. When the hemorrhoids begin prolapsing through the anus, they can cause pain and itchiness. External […]

Colonoscopy remains best and proven way to detect andprevent colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer deaths The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) is stressing that colonoscopy, using modern endoscopy methods performed according to clinical guidelines, is still the best and most proven way for patients to be screened for colorectal cancer following the release of

People may call it heartburn, but the sensation of pain and discomfort in your chest and upper abdomen has to do with your stomach, not your heart. The burning sensation, sometimes accompanied by a bitter taste, occurs when stomach acid spills into your esophagus and travels all the way up into your upper chest and

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus, which means it’s transmitted through exposure to infected blood. Hepatitis C can be a short-term illness but left undiscovered, it can cause lifelong complications that can significantly reduce your lifespan.  Most people don’t develop symptoms right away, as the virus takes time to damage the liver. Hepatitis C symptoms include

A colonoscopy is a life-saving screening technique, as it can help experts detect cancerous cells early and remove precancerous polyps before they become cancerous. It’s estimated that due to colonoscopies, the risk of death by colon cancer has dropped by 61%.  Below, we asked our experts at Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County in Orange County, California to

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a group of conditions that cause chronic inflammation in the gut and can lead to tissue damage. The two most common conditions are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.  Below, we asked our experts from Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County to explain how IBD manifests itself and what happens if it’s left untreated. With offices

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks the inner lining of the colon or the large intestine. During colitis flare-ups, the immune system attacks the colon membrane, eroding it and leaving behind open sores. During remission, these sores heal.  Below, we asked our experts at Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County to

Seeing black stools in the toilet can be alarming. Fortunately, in most cases, black stools are not a reason to worry as they can often be caused by food or medications.  Below, the experts at Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County in Orange County, California explain what conditions could lead to color changes in your stool. Read

You may be surprised to learn that everyone has hemorrhoids. Medically speaking, hemorrhoids are veins located inside and outside the anal canal. In healthy individuals, they help prevent accidental leaks of stool and fluid.  Generally, when people refer to hemorrhoids, they are describing a condition where these veins have become enlarged or inflamed. The team at Digestive