Risk Factors for Crohn Disease

There are a number of factors that can increase your risk for Crohn’s disease. Consider the following and talk with a gastroenterologist about how to reduce your risk for the condition.

Age:

While the condition can occur at any age, younger people are more likely to develop the condition. In fact, most people who develop Crohn’s disease are diagnosed before the age of 30. If you have any of the symptoms of the condition, it’s important to seek treatment from a Los Angeles gastroenterology specialist right away.

Ethnicity:

The condition can impact those of any ethnicity, but certain groups are at a higher risk. Those who are white, especially those from Eastern Europe or of Jewish descent are at a higher risk for developing Crohn’s disease. However, the condition is increasing among Black people living in the United States and United Kingdom, in addition to those of Middle Eastern descent who have immigrated to the United States.

Family History:

Genetics play a major role when it comes to your risk level for Crohn’s disease. In fact, nearly 20% of people with the disease also have a family member who has it as well. If you have a close relative with the condition, you are at an increased risk for Crohn’s disease.

Smoking:

If you smoke it can substantially increase your risk for the disease. Smoking is not good for your overall health so it’s important to stop. This is because smoking is the most important controllable factor in developing Crohn’s disease. If you do develop it, being a smoker can also lead to an increased risk for surgery and more severe symptoms of the disease.

NSAIDs:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (“NSAIDs”) can lead to bowel inflammation. This can make your Crohn’s disease much worse. While NSAIDs do not cause the disease, they can cause more complications. This includes over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.

Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease

The disease can impact any part of your small or large intestines. This means that it can be just a portion, or your entire small and large intestines. The signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease can vary from person to person. Consider the symptoms of the disease and contact a medical professional right away if you experience one or more of the following.

• Diarrhea, abdominal pain, or cramping
• Blood in your stool
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Reduced appetite and weight loss
• Mouth sores
• Pain or leakage near or around your anus
• Inflammation
• Kidney stones

Crohn’s Disease Treatment

Crohn’s disease is a serious condition and requires medical intervention. You should seek treatment if you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms. Untreated Crohn’s can lead to more harmful health issues. A Crohn’s disease treatment specialist can help diagnose the disease and provide you with a treatment plan based on your unique needs. Some patients have mild symptoms, while others are more severe. Additionally, sometimes the symptoms can appear suddenly, while in other patients it’s more gradual. Due to the complexity of the condition, it’s important to work with a skilled and experienced medical provider.

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Hernias in Men Versus Women

Men’s Hernias

Although inguinal hernias are possible for women, they are far more common for men. Because of the different anatomy in men’s groin, this is possible. The blood vessels that pass through the testicles of men have to pass through a small hole in their groin muscles.

This small difference makes inguinal hernias more common in men than in women. Inguinal hernias are more common in men than in women. This is due to a slight difference in anatomy. 25% of men will develop an inguinal hernia in their lifetimes, while only 2% of females do.

Women’s Hernias

Femoral hernias occur when the abdominal organs or tissues protrude through a weak point in the groin or upper thigh muscle. Because the female pelvis is wider than the male, this type of hernia tends to be more common in women. A femoral hernia is a small to medium-sized lump that lies on one side of your groin. It’s soft and may not hurt if you push it gently.

Umbilical hernias can also form around your belly button. These hernias cause a visible bulge around your navel. They are most common in women who are pregnant or after giving birth. Your abdominal wall may have been stretched if you are pregnant or have had multiple pregnancies. Pregnancy can stress the abdominal wall and cause a weak area around your belly button, where tissue can push through. This is the biggest cause of an umbilical hernia.

Lowering Your Hernia Risk

Some people are more susceptible to hernias than others. However, good hygiene and healthy living habits can help reduce your risk. These are some helpful tips:

• To reduce constipation, increase fiber intake.
• Drink more water to flush your toxins more regularly.
• Try regular but calm exercise such as walking every day.
• Do not lose weight or gain too quickly.
• Stop smoking
• Instead of using your back or arms to lift weights, use your legs.

A hernia that does not impact your daily life may not require any severe treatment, but it is still important to schedule a visit with your gastroenterologist as soon as you can. Most hernias can cause constant pain and pressure that can make it difficult to do certain tasks.

Get the Best in Hernia Health Today

A hernia is a condition where you experience intense abdominal, anal, or pelvic pain due to a bulge in your tissues. Hernias occur for many reasons, from genetics to undue stress. Find out more about hernias and if you qualify for hernia treatments in Los Angeles when you get in touch with our friendly team of specialists today. We will develop a customized plan of care to help you get rid of the pain and reduce your hernia as quickly as possible. Contact us now for top-tier hernia treatment in Los Angeles before your pain becomes too much to bear.

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Should I Get a Hernia Treated?

Hernia treatment can be done at the office of your local gastroenterologist in Los Angeles by using a variety of top-tier techniques and procedures. If you’ve ever wondered, “Should I have a hernia treated?” then this is the article for you. Keep reading to learn about recognizable symptoms of hernias and the most viable treatment options available.

Understand the Most Common Hernia Symptoms

You can get treatment faster if you recognize the symptoms early enough. It is a smart idea to have your hernia treated before it becomes a bigger problem, which could be fatal later down the line. A hernia is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Bulge or lump in the intestine area
• Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
• Heartburn that is too severe
• Trouble swallowing
• The lump disappears when you lie down
• Coughing
• Chest pain

Some hernias may not present with any symptoms. Regular visits to your gastroenterologist are important to ensure that your intestines function properly and that no signs of a hernia are present.

Is Surgery Necessary for a Hernia?

Sometimes surgery is not necessary if the hernia doesn’t grow or causes no pain. It is important to remember that hernias can grow larger most of the time, which is why surgery is a common treatment option. It may not cause any problems right now, but it’s very possible that it will lead to more severe complications later.

Hernia Treatment Options

Most hernias do not heal on their own. Surgery may end up required to correct them. Your doctor will recommend the best treatment for your hernia and may refer to a surgeon. The surgeon may recommend that you have your hernia repaired if it is necessary.

Therefore, there are two main options.

Open hernia operation.

The surgeon cuts in the groin to view the hernia and repairs it. The surgeon can use stitches alone, or a combination of stitches and mesh to repair the abdominal wall. There is a mesh-like substance that covers the area to strengthen the surrounding tissue, aiding in quick recovery.

Laparoscopic hernia surgery.

The surgeon will make several small cuts to the abdomen using a special knife. Next, they insert very small tools into the incisions. A laparoscopic camera helps perform most of the surgery. To strengthen and close the abdominal wall, the surgeon will typically use a mesh piece. Robotic repair is an option for some surgeons. This means that they can control robotic arms from a console and perform the surgery.

Your doctor might suggest other treatment options to reduce or eliminate your hernia. Still, surgery may prove required in severe cases or if the hernia stays too large to ignore. Even if your hernia remains small or you don’t feel any symptoms, you should regularly check up on its status and come up with a long-term treatment plan for better peace of mind.

Avoid and Eliminate Hernias Today

It is important to take precautions to avoid developing hernias, although some hernias are not preventable. They can come from poor diet, excessive exercise, or even a traumatic injury. There remain many things that you can do to prevent certain types of hernias. Still, it stays important to keep in touch with your local gastroenterologist no matter what. Learn more about the best options for hernia treatment in Los Angeles when you get in touch with Dr. Tabib and his team of experts ASAP!

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Can You Have Cirrhosis if You Don’t Drink?

Below, your local hepatology specialist in Los Angeles will inform you about the causes and symptoms of non-alcoholic cirrhosis and how you can prevent permanent liver damage with a health checkup ASAP.

How the Liver Functions Within the Body

In order to understand whether or not people are susceptible to cirrhosis with or without alcohol, it is important to learn what the liver’s purpose is within your body. Although it has many jobs, one of the liver’s most crucial jobs is to clear toxins and germs from the blood. Therefore, flooding your bloodstream with more than the average amount of waste can cause the liver to go into overdrive.

Whether due to alcohol poisoning or a separate infection, the liver can easily get overwhelmed. This makes it increasingly difficult to process out those poisons that could make you sick. As soon as the liver gets overwhelmed, it is at risk of scarring and permanent damage. When cirrhosis is diagnosed, the treatment solutions are the same regardless of what caused the flood of toxins within the body.

How Nonalcoholic Cirrhosis Can Occur

While alcohol abuse is the most common cause of cirrhosis, it is not the only one. Chronic blood infections, such as those that come from hepatitis B, have a big chance of leading to cirrhosis. Another condition known as NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) causes the liver’s fat to get inflamed and infected, which causes internal scars. Those with compromised or complicated immune system functions are also at a bigger risk of cirrhosis. Nonalcoholic cirrhosis is more likely to occur in folks assigned female at birth, but everyone should visit their liver doctor for an occasional checkup.

Symptoms of Nonalcoholic Cirrhosis

The symptoms of this condition can be hard to spot at first, which is why it is so important to remain vigilant about your internal health. As your liver sustains more damage, you are likely to feel more exhausted. You will soon start to experience many of the following symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Constant nausea
• Fatigue
• Inability to focus during the day
• Loss of sex drive and possible erectile dysfunction
• Menstruation will stop
• Yellow eyes (jaundice)
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Extra side effects from certain medications

Symptoms only get more severe over time, and it’s important to seek help from your doctor ASAP if you are suffering from any of the conditions listed above.

Get Treatment for Cirrhosis ASAP

Whether or not your cirrhosis has been caused by alcohol consumption, hepatitis, or another infectious condition, you should make it a top priority to visit your cirrhosis of the liver specialist in Los Angeles right away. You will be put on a custom treatment that may involve serious lifestyle changes and dietary shifts. As the condition worsens, your liver stops functioning efficiently. This can have a drastic effect on your body, ultimately spreading infection and toxicity through your blood. Seek the vital treatment you need when you get in touch with Dr. Tabib and his team of specialists in Los Angeles today!

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What Alcohol Actually Does to Your Liver

But why does this happen? What causes the liver to become so easily damaged by alcoholic drinks? It’s important to understand what alcohol actually does to your liver so you can actively avoid drinking in excess.

The Liver’s Role in the Body

The liver is the body’s garbage filter, taking all the substances you eat and drink and breaking them down. The liver processes most of the alcohol you put in your body, condensing into an even more harmful substance. The leftover bits of alcohol that don’t get digested can travel through your organ and do some serious damage to your liver cells. Over time, this can contribute to the development of liver disease.

Liver Diseases Caused by Alcohol

The liver is always going to be the organ most affected by alcohol consumption. Extensive studies have shown that the liver processes 90% of consumed alcohol in the body. The only alcohol that does not reach the liver is the small amount that leaves the body through sweat, breath, and urine. The liver can be damaged in so many ways, which is why it is crucial to be aware of the following diseases:

• Liver scarring, reducing blood flow and function (cirrhosis)
• Liver inflammation, which leads to disease (hepatitis)
• Extreme inflammation (acute alcoholic hepatitis)
• Liver failure, which leads to death
• Fatty liver, causing fat buildup inside the organ (steatosis

80% of liver diseases that exist are caused by the overconsumption of alcohol. Depending on the type of liver disease you are diagnosed with, you may experience a different set of symptoms from another patient who is also dealing with alcoholic liver issues.

Common Symptoms of Liver Disease

While varying liver diseases can pose unique and specific symptoms, there are many generalized symptoms to be on the lookout for. Those who have a history of abusing alcohol are far more likely to contract these diseases while displaying the following symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Swelling in the tummy
• Dark-colored urine
• Itchiness all over the skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abnormal stool color
• Jaundice (yellowing skin and eyes)
• Constant fatigue
• Disorientation or confusion
• Fever
• Weakness
• Sudden tendency to bruise easily

If any of these symptoms are becoming prominent, it is clear that substance abuse is at play. It is vital to get in touch with your emergency doctor or your hepatologist immediately to reverse the effects of alcohol poisoning on your liver. Some liver damage can be repaired, and some of the effects of alcohol abuse can be reversed for the betterment of your future health.

Treating Liver Diseases

The most effective – and obvious – way to avoid the symptoms of fatty liver disease is to stop drinking altogether. If you have trouble controlling how much you drink, you may want to invest in a recovery program that can help you significantly reduce your alcohol consumption.

In addition, switching to a healthy diet and exercise routine can work wonders for your liver and all other internal organs. Make sure to stay on top of your hepatitis and pneumonia vaccines to prevent the liver from overworking. Get in touch with Dr. Siamak Tabib and schedule an appointment to learn more about the health of your liver.

Invest in Better Habits Today!

Drinking in excess can lead to illness, permanent liver damage, and even death. No matter how hard it is to stop, taking that one extra drink just isn’t worth it. If you are dealing with constant stomach pain, fatigue, feverishness, or irritability, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your fatty liver specialist in Los Angeles right away. Call us right now to set up a personal consultation!

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