Hemorrhoids are a potentially painful condition, and while they may go away on their own, sometimes professional treatment or even surgery is required. If your hemorrhoids are not improving with diet changes or the use of stool softeners, you may need the assistance of a gastroenterologist to find relief.

At Rochester Gastroenterology Associates, with several locations in Rochester, NY, we offer hemorrhoid treatments including rubber band ligation, AKA hemorrhoid banding. Here's what you should know about the procedure:

How is it done?

During this procedure, your gastroenterologist will use a rubber band to tie off the base of an internal hemorrhoid to stop blood flow to it. The hemorrhoid will shrink and eventually fall off. A scar will develop to keep veins from protruding into the anal canal. You may have some slight bleeding a week or so after the banding is done.

Is it painful?

At our Rochester, NY, offices, we will administer a numbing medication if you are experiencing discomfort during the procedure. You may feel some pain during the recovery period, or feel full and bloated.

What is the recovery period?

You should recover from the procedure within a few days, with pain likely to dissipate within 24 to 48 hours. You can use an over-the-counter pain reliever if necessary, or try sitting in warm water. Taking a stool softener and staying hydrated may help your bowel movements go more smoothly.

Will my hemorrhoids come back?

Hemorrhoid banding is successful in preventing regrowth in most individuals, though a small number may ultimately require surgery. If you have numerous hemorrhoids, you may need several procedures to eliminate them all.

If you are suffering from internal hemorrhoids, make an appointment with the team at Rochester Gastroenterology Associates. Reach us in Rochester, NY, at (585) 267-4040 or (585) 227-1080.

Rochester Gastroenterology Associates in Rochester, NY, perform colon cancer screenings for patients of all ages concerned about colon cancer. Colon cancer screenings can save lives by identifying signs of cancer before you even experience symptoms.

Your Rochester, NY, gastroenterologists screen for colon cancer to save lives. Screening tests can identify precancerous polyps and prevent colon cancer. The CDC recommends screening tests once a year for everyone past the age of 50. If you have a family history of the disease, your doctor may recommend starting yearly screenings sooner.

One screening test involves the examination of a stool sample, which can be done every year. Your doctors are looking for blood in the stool which can be a sign of cancer. Another test called a flexible sigmoidoscopy involves inserting a flexible tube with a light into the rectum to inspect the rectum and colon. Your doctor may recommend this every five to 10 years. The most well-known screening test for colon cancer is a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure that can identify cancer and precancerous polyps in the colon. The procedure involves inserting a small flexible tube into the rectum to look into the rectum and colon, looking for irregularities in the tissues. The patient is sedated during this procedure. Colonoscopies are only recommended every 10 years if you're not at an elevated risk for the disease. It is a more invasive screening, but precancerous polyps can actually be removed as they are detected during the colonoscopy.

Colonoscopies aren't recommended as often but you can still be screened for colon cancer every year. Colon cancer affects an equal amount of men and women, but almost ninety percent of cases are in patients over the age of 50. Colon cancer screenings can find signs of cancer before a patient is feeling any symptoms, which is why yearly screenings are so important past a certain age.

Rochester Gastroenterology Associates save lives with colon cancer screenings in Rochester, NY. Call our Linden Oaks location at (585) 267-4040 and our Canal Landing location at (585) 227-1080.

Find out why an endoscopy is one of the best diagnostic tools for a gastroenterologist.

You’re dealing with GI issues, so you’ve come into our office where our Rochester, NY, gastroenterologists Dr. Prasad Penmetsa, Dr. Surinder Devgun, and Dr. Ari Chodos have told you that you need an endoscopy. This simple in-office procedure is ideal for being able to diagnose a wide range of gastrointestinal issues, as it allows our gastroenterologists to be able to examine the lining of the upper digestive tract.

When might a doctor recommend an endoscopy?

If a patient comes into our Rochester, NY, office with any of the symptoms below, chances are fairly good that our gastroenterologists will recommend an endoscopy to further evaluate what’s going on. These symptoms include,

• Recurring or persistent nausea and/or vomiting
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Unexpected weight loss
• Upper abdominal pain
• Trouble swallowing

What can an endoscopy detect?

Just as a colonoscopy is used to detect colon polyps, inflammation, colorectal cancer, and other problems that affect the rectum and colon (large intestines), an endoscopy is used by our team of gastroenterologists to be able to detect and diagnose problems and conditions in the throat, stomach, and beginning of the small intestines such as,

• Inflammation
• Obstructions
• Ulcers
• Growths and tumors
• Bleeding
• Hernia

What should I expect from an endoscopy?

This procedure is performed right here in our office under sedation and local anesthesia, which will numb the throat prior to inserting the endoscope (a thin tube). As the endoscope is gently guided down the throat into the stomach, our team will be able to examine the lining of the digestive tract through a camera attached to the end of the scope.

From there we can determine what’s causing your symptoms while also removing certain obstructions, collecting tissue, stopping bleeds, and even removing certain growths and polyps. The procedure doesn’t usually take more than 30 minutes and most patients will be able to go home about an hour after the procedure.

Rochester Gastroenterology Associates offers several locations throughout Rochester, NY, making it even easier to turn to our gastroenterologists for everything from endoscopy to GERD treatment.

If you are dealing with gastrointestinal issues and want to find out how we can help, call us at (585) 227-1080 or (585) 267-4040 to schedule an appointment. 

Maintaining good digestive health is important for overall health. Digestion is the body’s way of obtaining essential nutrients from the foods and beverages you consume. When digestive problems occur, it can be more difficult for the body to gather the nutrients it needs. One way of promoting good digestive health is through proper nutrition. At Rochester Gastroenterology Associates in Rochester, NY, our knowledgeable gastroenterologists and family nurse practitioners can provide tips for improving digestive health through good nutrition.

Good Nutrition and Digestive Health

Eating a healthy diet and well-balanced diet can lead to better digestive health. Likewise, consuming a diet low in essential nutrients can adversely affect digestive health and lead to gastrointestinal problems. A healthy, balanced diet should include a mix of proteins, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Foods that can aid in better digestion include:

• Fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber and essential nutrients — beans, legumes, apples, bananas, and oranges
• Leafy green vegetables — lettuce and other greens
• Whole-grain foods — quinoa or brown rice
• Yogurt containing probiotics
• Kefir (fermented milk containing probiotics)

Digestive Problems

There are a number of diseases and conditions that can affect digestive health. For example, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are all associated with digestive or intestinal problems. However, the foods and beverages we consume can also cause digestive problems. Symptoms commonly associated with digestive issues include:

• Gas
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Vomiting

If you are experiencing digestive problems, whether due to diet or an existing condition, one of the skilled gastroenterologists at our office in Rochester, NY, can be available through a telemedicine appointment to provide guidance on managing your symptoms.

Good nutrition can aid in better digestion by making it easier for the body to absorb essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Schedule a telemedicine appointment to speak with one of our family nurse practitioners or gastroenterologists at our office in Rochester, NY, about improving your digestive health. Call Rochester Gastroenterology Associates at (585) 267-4040 for the Linden Oaks location or (585) 227-1080 for the Canal Landing office.

If you have acid reflux it’s important that you don’t ignore it.

Acid reflux and heartburn are more common than you might realize. In fact, about one out of five people will experience heartburn weekly and about two out of five will deal with this problem at least once a month. Wondering if you could be dealing with acid reflux? Our Rochester, NY, gastroenterologists Dr. Prasad Penmetsa, Dr. Surinder Devgun and Dr. Ari Chodos can provide you with the answers you’re looking for.

What are the warning signs of acid reflux?

The most common symptoms associated with acid reflux include,

Heartburn: a burning, gnawing sensation in the upper abdomen that may radiate to the throat (contrary to its name, heartburn does not affect the heart)

Regurgitation: this occurs when acid travels back up into the throat or mouth, resulting in a sour, burning taste

Dyspepsia: this involves a variety of stomach issues including abdominal pain, bloating, stomach fullness and pressure, nausea after eating and frequent burping

You may notice symptoms after a heavy or spicy meal, when lying down or if you eat right before bedtime. Women who are pregnant are also more likely to deal with acid reflux.

How can I treat acid reflux?

Infrequent acid reflux can often be alleviated through over-the-counter antacids. Of course, if you are dealing with this problem several times a week for more than three weeks you will want to turn to our Rochester, NY, GI doctor for more effective and long-term acid reflux treatment.

Along with medication, lifestyle changes can also greatly improve heartburn. These lifestyle changes include,

• Eating smaller meals more often
• Not eating 2-3 hours before bedtime
• Losing excess weight if you are overweight
• Avoiding wearing tight, restrictive clothing around your waist
• Quitting or avoiding smoking
• Avoiding or limiting trigger foods (e.g. alcohol; tomato sauce; citrus fruits)

Is acid reflux the same as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

While these problems are certainly interchanged quite a bit, they are different. While acid reflux alone doesn’t necessarily mean that you have GERD, a digestive disorder that affects the esophageal sphincter, if you experience acid reflux symptoms more than two times a week then you could have GERD.

If you suspect that you have GERD it’s important that you seek problem treatment and care, as chronic and uncontrolled GERD can cause serious and long-term health problems.

Rochester Gastroenterology Associates has two offices in Rochester, NY, to serve you better. If you are dealing with persistent acid reflux that is affecting your quality of life then it’s time to call us today.

When it comes to matters involving your digestive tract, stomach, and colon, a gastroenterologist is the doctor to consult with. GI specialists also help patients with matters involving the pancreas, gallbladder, liver and other organs involved in the elimination of waste. Here are some of the most common frequently asked questions that patients have for gastroenterologists.

What Does a Gastroenterologist Do?
A gastroenterologist is tasked with studying, managing and treating disorders involving the gastrointestinal tract. They diagnose potential problems that stand in the way of your body’s ability to comfortably and easily digest food, move it through the body and get rid of waste. It’s important that your gastrointestinal system is healthy so that your body absorbs the nutrition it needs for energy and vitality. GI doctors undergo rigorous training in this specialized area of medicine for five or six years after medical school.

What Tests Are Needed?
There are a number of tests that a gastroenterologist may recommend depending on your digestive concerns. Here are a few of the most common ones:

• Colonoscopy (checks rectum, colon, and intestinal tract)
• Upper GI endoscopy (checks esophagus and upper gastro system)
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy (similar to a colonoscopy, but only examines a portion of the colon)
• Endoscopic or abdominal ultrasound
• Abdominal Angiogram
• CT enterography

What Treatments Are Administered?
If a problem is identified in the gastrointestinal tract or system, there are a number of possible solutions your GI doctor may explore:

• Polyp removal (done with an endoscope)
• Esophageal, colonic, duodenal or bile duct stent placement (allows the comfortable passage of bodily fluids, solids, and waste)
• Cecostomy (clears bowels)
• Surgical procedures (such as bowel surgery, appendectomy, colostomy, proctectomy, gastric bypass surgery, etc)

Ask More Questions at Your Initial Appointment
Whatever specific questions you may have for a gastroenterologist, they are best addressed at your first visit. You should make this important appointment when recommended by your primary physician or when you have symptoms of a GI problem (bleeding, chronic constipation or diarrhea, heartburn and similar concerns), Call a gastroenterologist, serving the Rochester, Webster, Fairpoint, Brighton, Victor, and Pittsford, NY area, to schedule a consultation today.