Health and Medicine | MedBlog | UT Southwestern Medical Center

Colonoscopy and alternative screenings for colon cancer just got easier

Age 45 is the new milestone for average-risk patients to get their first colorectal cancer screening. Get the latest screening options – including easier colonoscopy prep! – and everything you need to know about getting screened.

Eric Bass, M.D. / Linda Farkas, M.D.

June 23, 2021

Digestive

Treating hemorrhoidal disease: Conservative vs. surgical approaches

Hemorrhoidal disease affects about 10 million people per year in the U.S., but many people aren't aware of the many effective treatment options that are available.

Barbara Harris, M.S.N., APRN, AGACNP-BC

April 14, 2021

Digestive; Pediatrics

Picky eater or something more serious? Kids and EoE

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a newly recognized chronic inflammatory condition that causes vomiting and trouble swallowing in children. Christopher Parrish, M.D., discusses diagnosis and treatment of EoE in this week's MedBlog.

Christopher Parrish, M.D.

March 3, 2021

Digestive; Transplant

Fighting fatty liver disease – the No. 1 risk factor for women's liver transplants

In the U.S, 1 in 3 adults have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – and it is the No. 1 reason women are added to the liver transplant list. In this MedBlog, Thomas Kerr, M.D., Ph.D., discusses why NAFLD is rampant and how it can be prevented and treated.

Thomas Kerr, M.D., Ph.D.

October 14, 2020

Cancer; Digestive

No colostomy bag after colorectal cancer surgery? Avoid it with this advanced procedure

Young patients may worry that having colon surgery will require them to wear a colostomy bag. But Linda Farkas, M.D., says 80-90% of patients won't need one. Learn more.

Linda Farkas, M.D.

June 18, 2020

Cancer; Digestive

Why you should consider clinical genetic testing for hereditary colon cancer

People are fascinated with the human genome at the moment, with the popularity of direct-to-consumer tests such as 23andMe soaring. But Interpreting genetic test results can be complicated, particularly for conditions like colon cancer. At UT Southwestern, our 14 genetic counselor works with patients before and after a comprehensive DNA analysis to determine if they have any hereditary risks.

Sayoni Lahiri

March 11, 2020

Cancer; Digestive; Prevention

Skip the colon cancer screening? Not in the U.S.

Is colon cancer screening necessary? A study out of the U.K. published in The BMJ suggests average-risk patients age 50-79 might not need a colonoscopy if they have low risk-score. But Syed Kazmi, M.D., disagrees when it comes to U.S. patients. Find out why in this MedBlog.

Syed Kazmi, M.D.

November 20, 2019

Digestive; Nutrition; Pediatrics

Why isn’t my child gaining weight? 3 factors that can cause 'failure to thrive'

Babies and children who don't get proper nutrition can develop failure to thrive, a condition that causes delayed growth and poor brain development. In this MedBlog, find three common causes and strategies families can use to improve their child's health. Learn more.

Isabel Rojas Santamaria, M.D.

November 14, 2019

Digestive; Nutrition; Pediatrics

7 common causes of pediatric GI bleeding, plus treatment information

Finding blood in your child's stool is scary, especially if the child is too young to describe how they feel. In this MedBlog, pediatric gastroenterologist Bradley Barth, M.D., M.P.H., discusses seven common, treatable conditions that cause GI bleeding, plus treatment information.

Bradley Barth, M.D., M.P.H.

November 7, 2019

Digestive; Nutrition; Pediatrics

A breakthrough in Type 1 diabetes: What it might mean for children

Teplizumab, a Type 1 diabetes immunotherapy drug, has been proven to slow onset of the disease by 2 years. This landmark discovery could lead to potential reduction in long-term health risks related to diabetes. Find out how the drug works and who might benefit in this week’s MedBlog. Learn more.

Sasan Mirfakhraee, M.D.

November 6, 2019

MedBlog

All Digestive