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Dr. Douglas Levin, MD

Gastroenterologist

My practice is internal medicine with a focus in gastroenterology, liver disease, hepatitis and especially fatty liver disease. I graduated with a degree in medicine almost 50 years ago. I am still ve ...
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55 years Experience
Dr. Douglas Levin, MD
  • Columbus, OH
  • NYU Grossman School of Medicine
  • Accepting new patients

Rectum question?

If taking a supplement seems to have caused you symptoms just stop it. The
mechanism for which it caused this issue I am sure is unknown

Stomach bug?

If you have recurrent symptoms it may not be a “stomach bug” at all. You
have to see your doctor.

Why do I keep feeling sick after eating a banana?

If you get sick after bananas you are probably allergic. You should not eat them. You are likely to have latex allergy also due to similar chemicals in the banana and latex.

What is causing this feeling and what do I do?

You likely have a disorder of the esophagus related to your Raynaud’s Disease. I would take Pepcid (famotidine) 20 mg before meals and at bedtime and see a Pediatric Gastroenterologist. READ MORE
You likely have a disorder of the esophagus related to your Raynaud’s Disease. I would take Pepcid (famotidine) 20 mg before meals and at bedtime and see a Pediatric Gastroenterologist. Good luck!

Why do I have diarrhea 2 to 3 times a week?

You have to be evaluated. How long have you had diarrhea? Do you bleed? How many movements do you have a day and what do you mean by diarrhea? Do you drink milk? Do you awaken READ MORE
You have to be evaluated. How long have you had diarrhea? Do you bleed? How many movements do you have a day and what do you mean by diarrhea? Do you drink milk? Do you awaken at night to have a stool? Have you been on antibiotics in the last 6 months? Good luck!

Serious inquiry?

You have to see a gastroenterologist promptly. You have several so-called alarm symptoms suggesting serious disease. Good luck!

Levaquin medication?

Virtually all oral antibiotics can cause diarrhea. Most clear when the antibiotic is finished. A small percentage have a bad infection initiated by the antibiotic called C. difficile. READ MORE
Virtually all oral antibiotics can cause diarrhea. Most clear when the antibiotic is finished. A small percentage have a bad infection initiated by the antibiotic called C. difficile. Your doctor should check for this infection.

Constipation for weeks?

Xanax should not cause constipation have you been assessed for this constipation? If not, you should be. If you have no blockage or mass then I would suggest miralax daily. You READ MORE
Xanax should not cause constipation have you been assessed for this constipation? If not, you should be. If you have no blockage or mass then I would suggest miralax daily. You should be able to restart your medications once you are having regular bowel movements.

Unknown swelling?

You should be evaluated promptly. You could have a kidney or heart problem.

Restoralax while pregnant?

Restorolax should be safe during pregnancy.

Lactose intolerance?

Lactose is not dangerous. In some but not all of us with lactose intolerance lactose causes gas, abdominal distress, bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea. Eventually, all of us as READ MORE
Lactose is not dangerous. In some but not all of us with lactose intolerance lactose causes gas, abdominal distress, bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea. Eventually, all of us as we age lose the juvenile capability to digest lactose, but many of us are not terribly bothered by lactose.

I have low RDW, high immature granulocytes and a few other things?

I looked up other causes of acquired low alkaline phosphates. They include zinc deficiency, pernicious anemia (causing low B12), and hypothyroidism. Your zinc level and thyroid READ MORE
I looked up other causes of acquired low alkaline phosphates. They include zinc deficiency, pernicious anemia (causing low B12), and hypothyroidism. Your zinc level and thyroid tests should be checked.

Treatment plan for small bowel ileus?

The abscess is almost certainly the cause of the ileus. The abscess needs prompt and effective therapy!

What meals can I eat with gastritis?

You can eat a nutritious and varied diet with gastritis. Avoid alcohol, spicy hot food with capcesin (the chemical that makes hot foods like hot peppers hot), and perhaps limit READ MORE
You can eat a nutritious and varied diet with gastritis. Avoid alcohol, spicy hot food with capcesin (the chemical that makes hot foods like hot peppers hot), and perhaps limit coffee. Avoid overeating so keep the meals relatively small. Tomato sauce should be avoided. Avoid any food that disagrees with you. Milk and milk products are soothing; remember that milk a mother makes of any mammalian species is for the mother’s baby, yogurt, cheeses, generally settle well. If you are lactose intolerant yogurt and hard cheeses like cheddar and Parmesan are lactose-free.

My 16 year old old daughter hardly ever has an appetite?

I am no pediatrician but I have seen young adults like your stepdaughter. She most likely has an eating disorder. She should see an expert in adolescent eating disorders for an READ MORE
I am no pediatrician but I have seen young adults like your stepdaughter. She most likely has an eating disorder. She should see an expert in adolescent eating disorders for an assessment. Physiological tests are usually abnormal with eating disorders so distinguishing one issue from another is difficult. Good luck with this very troubling challenge for this young girl.

Acid reflux?

I think you should see a Gastroenterologist since this is such a persistent problem for you.

Post op laparoscopic cholecystectomy infection?

You should see your surgeon right away. This seems to be a serious complication.

Liver problem?

There is a discordance between the ultrasound and CT imaging with the ultrasound suggesting fatty liver and the CT does not. The CT is in general more sensitive (i.e., picks up READ MORE
There is a discordance between the ultrasound and CT imaging with the ultrasound suggesting fatty liver and the CT does not. The CT is in general more sensitive (i.e., picks up fat at lower level) and specific (i.e., make correct diagnosis) the Fibroscan suggests fibrosis, but a recent meal or right heart failure could cause the same finding as can being overweight. If you are feeling okay and have no pain, I would suggest having an evaluation in 6 months. Have your doctor check the Fib 4 and fatty liver index. Both calculations are easy to Google and calculate.

Rock hard poop?

I would drink enough to have light-colored urine a few times per day and no more. I would try miralax 3 doses a day. If your stool is too frequent or too soft or watery, gradually READ MORE
I would drink enough to have light-colored urine a few times per day and no more. I would try miralax 3 doses a day. If your stool is too frequent or too soft or watery, gradually decrease the dose.

Semen leakage during bowel movements?

The process of defecation is probably putting pressure on your prostate, which is right in front of the rectum. You might ask a urologist about this.