Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in all women. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Afro-American women. Less than 50% of women have been screened for colon cancer. However, statistics suggest that about 70% of women over the age of 40 have had a mammogram and about 80% of women have had Pap tests.

The Greek word “diarrhoia” means “a flowing through.” Diarrhea can be defined as having more liquid and more frequent bowel movements (BM) than is normal. Most acute episodes of diarrhea are self-limited and start to improve within 48 hours.

By: Grace Goracci, MD
Women experience gas just as much as men do. Belching (burping) and flatulence (farting) are normal.
There are two ways that gas gets into your body: you either swallow it or your body makes it from the food you eat. Studies suggest that women pass gas about ten times a day.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition of the digestive tract. This has also been called “spastic bowel.” Most people experience stomach pain along with either diarrhea and /or constipation. When someone is medically evaluated to determine the cause of these complaints, no exact cause is found (i.e.: no infections are found in someone experiencing diarrhea).

By: Grace Goracci, MD

Diverticulosis is a sac or pocket-like protrusion on the wall of the colon. It occurs where there is a slight weakness in the bowel wall, usually where the blood vessels cross through the wall of the colon. Most people with diverticulosis do not experience any symptons, so the diverticulosis is usually found during screening tests such as colonoscopy, barium enema or CT scan of abdomen.

By: Grace Goracci, MD

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in all women. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Afro-American women. Less that 50% of women have been screened for colon cancer. However, statistics suggest that about 70% of women over the age of 40 have had a mammogram and about 80% of women have had Pap tests.

By: Grace Goracci, MD

Hemorrhoids are dilated blood vessels in the rectal area….”down there.” The rectum is where the stool exits the body. Hemorrhoids come from normal blood vessels in the rectum that become dilated. This is similar to varicose veins in your legs. Hemorrhoids can be found inside the rectum (internal) or outside the rectum (external). You can have one or both types at the same time.

By: Grace Goracci, MD

Constipation is the most common GI complaint that I discuss with my patients. It can occur on an intermittent or chronic basis. It can include stools being too hard, too small (like “rabbit pellets”), difficult to pass, passed infrequently, associated with the need to strain, or not feeling emptied out after just having a bowel movement.

By: Grace Goracci, MD
An ulcer is an irritation or sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum that causes pain. It is like an open wound.
Approximately fifty years ago ulcers were thought to be the cause of most stomach problems – including any burning, aching, indigestion, or nausea in the stomach. As endoscopes did not exist at that time, the only way that doctors could evaluate the stomach and small bowel was by barium x-ray studies or exploratory surgery. Therefore, if you had any of these symptoms, you …

By: Grace Goracci, MD
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in all women. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Afro-American women. Less than 50% of women have been screened for colon cancer. However, statistics suggest that about 70% of women over the age of 40 have had a mammogram and about 80% of women have had Pap tests.