EXPERT
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 ...
55 years
Experience
Dr. Douglas Levin, MD
- Columbus, OH
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine
- Accepting new patients
No results found
I desperately need help?
I am sorry to hear about your difficulties. Odds are that “lump” is unrelated to your symptoms. It is likely a xyphoid, the process that is cartilage that calcifies as we get older READ MORE
I am sorry to hear about your difficulties. Odds are that “lump” is unrelated to your symptoms. It is likely a xyphoid, the process that is cartilage that calcifies as we get older and is slightly
tender to touch but not painful otherwise. Pain burning or not going straight through to the back is usually due to pancreatic or biliary disease. The pancreas makes enzymes to digest your
food and the liver makes bile which aids digestion as well. The pipes leading from the liver and pancreas join as they enter the intestine which is in the back of your abdomen. You need to see a gastroenterologist. Call around to find a clinic that serves indigent patients. For instance, I volunteer at a free clinic, and before I retired I worked at a University hospital that had financial support for indigent care. Good luck!
tender to touch but not painful otherwise. Pain burning or not going straight through to the back is usually due to pancreatic or biliary disease. The pancreas makes enzymes to digest your
food and the liver makes bile which aids digestion as well. The pipes leading from the liver and pancreas join as they enter the intestine which is in the back of your abdomen. You need to see a gastroenterologist. Call around to find a clinic that serves indigent patients. For instance, I volunteer at a free clinic, and before I retired I worked at a University hospital that had financial support for indigent care. Good luck!
What is the strongest medicine for heartburn?
The strongest medicine (most effective at suppressing acid production) is Prilosec. For heartburn, at night only Pepcid is best. The new medication for the infection h. Pylori READ MORE
The strongest medicine (most effective at suppressing acid production) is Prilosec. For heartburn, at night only Pepcid is best. The new medication for the infection h. Pylori is stronger than Prilosec but is not available without antibiotics in the formulation.
Where are the acupuncture points for acid reflux?
Acupuncture is very unlikely to help reflux. Scientific studies show that the nerves stimulated by acupuncture necessary for this to work are in the back and extremities but not READ MORE
Acupuncture is very unlikely to help reflux. Scientific studies show that the nerves stimulated by acupuncture necessary for this to work are in the back and extremities but not in the abdomen or front of the chest.
Problem with defecating?
That is an interesting question. Your body should send you a signal with a sense of mild discomfort and pressure in the pelvic area. If you lack that signal you can alter your READ MORE
That is an interesting question. Your body should send you a signal with a sense of mild discomfort and pressure in the pelvic area. If you lack that signal you can alter your schedule to enhance that signal. In general, the most physiological time is in the morning after breakfast. If you get up late, skip breakfast, and eat in the car you likely will not have the signal or the opportunity to defecate. Get up early enough to eat a high fiber diet (for instance, I have Familia with walnuts and berries added followed by 2 mugs of hot coffee) and have enough time to wait a few minutes for the signal, defecate, and then shower and dress for work or the rest of your day. If you tend to go infrequently taking Miralax twice daily may help. Once your body gets in this rhythm you might try tapering off the Miralax.
What causes heartburn after gastric bypass surgery?
Heartburn after roux en y gastric surgery is unusual since the acid-producing cells in the stomach lining are distal to the site where the food is re-routed. Do you have burning READ MORE
Heartburn after roux en y gastric surgery is unusual since the acid-producing cells in the stomach lining are distal to the site where the food is re-routed. Do you have burning in your chest or mouth or are you calling discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen heartburn? If it is pain in the upper abdomen it could come from food stretching the small stomach pouch in the upper abdomen which is connected to the esophagus naturally. Smaller meals could diminish that type of discomfort.
How often should you have a colonoscopy if polyps are found?
The timing of the next colonoscopy depends on the size, number, and characteristics of the polyps removed. Small left-sided hyperplastic polyps do not need to follow up all things READ MORE
The timing of the next colonoscopy depends on the size, number, and characteristics of the polyps removed. Small left-sided hyperplastic polyps do not need to follow up all things considered so 10 years, as usual, is fine. Small tubular adenomata if solitary and if a negative family history of colon cancer probably can wait for 5 to 10 years ( why such a wide interval.? Data not totally clear) large tubular adenomata, all villous adenomata, and all serrated adenomata require to follow up in 1 to 3 years. Your gastroenterologist and you should discuss you're follow-up based on your personal and family history and your particular polyps including their location, right-sided polyps being a greater threat.
What is the best diet for gastritis?
How do you know you have gastritis? Do you have an infection with helicobacter pylori? Do you have bile reflux gastritis from a backup of intestinal fluids into the stomach?? You READ MORE
How do you know you have gastritis? Do you have an infection with helicobacter pylori? Do you have bile reflux gastritis from a backup of intestinal fluids into the stomach?? You have to know the cause before you can treat it. For now, you can avoid all alcohol, spicy food especially foods with capes in (from things like Chile peppers or hot sources), and coffee.
How long does gallbladder pain last after surgery?
It is normal to have pain at the surgical site for many days. If it worsens with eating or radiates to the back tell your surgeon. A small percentage of people who have the gall READ MORE
It is normal to have pain at the surgical site for many days. If it worsens with eating or radiates to the back tell your surgeon. A small percentage of people who have the gall bladder removed may have a gall stone stuck in the common duct. The tube that goes from the liver to the intestine through which the bile must flow. Blocking the flow, especially after meals causes pain.
Undigested vitamins stored in gut?
That is a good question. The capsule should have broken down anywhere in the digestive tract. Likely the vitamin capsule was not capable of being dissolved or releasing the vitamins. READ MORE
That is a good question. The capsule should have broken down anywhere in the digestive tract. Likely the vitamin capsule was not capable of being dissolved or releasing the vitamins. You may have pouches off the small or large bowel where this immortal capsule was lodged for a long time.
Blood in poop?
The red you see pigment from the beet root. Stop the beet root for a few days to confirm that the red color disappears. If so, you can take it if you wish.
Should rectal polyps be removed?
Rectal polyps should be removed and analyzed by pathology to categorize them to see if they are pre-cancerous. If they are precancerous a colonoscopy should be done to assess the READ MORE
Rectal polyps should be removed and analyzed by pathology to categorize them to see if they are pre-cancerous. If they are precancerous a colonoscopy should be done to assess the rest of the colon for polyps.
Stomach problems?
You need to see a gastroenterologist and a primary care physician promptly. You could have one problem causing all your symptoms or more than one problem causing the problem collectively. READ MORE
You need to see a gastroenterologist and a primary care physician promptly. You could have one problem causing all your symptoms or more than one problem causing the problem collectively.
Not going to the loo?
You should see a neurologist promptly to see if your fall resulted in brain or spine damage that causes numbness and blocked the neurological coordination necessary for defecation. READ MORE
You should see a neurologist promptly to see if your fall resulted in brain or spine damage that causes numbness and blocked the neurological coordination necessary for defecation.
Low anion gap?
An anion gap of 9 is normal ( normal range 5 to 10) The anion gap does not reflect a problem and does not explain your symptoms. Good luck!
Issue passing stool?
You may have been constipated resulting in thin or pebble-like stool which traumatized your hemorrhoids making them bleed. Try eating bran cereal daily and take Metamucil 3 times READ MORE
You may have been constipated resulting in thin or pebble-like stool which traumatized your hemorrhoids making them bleed. Try eating bran cereal daily and take Metamucil 3 times daily. If that does not give you prompt relief within a week see a gastroenterologist promptly.
Stomach pain?
You have not given me much pertinent information. You should seek immediate care from your doctor or urgent care or emergency room!
Rectum issues?
You should have it checked out. It is a result of a viral infection or a clot in the blood vessel in the surface tissue. It might require therapy.
Lower abdominal pain?
Your appendix is over there, but if this pain occurs after a bowel movement it could be bowel contraction, abdominal wall pain, a hernia, or even upper leg pain from muscles contracting READ MORE
Your appendix is over there, but if this pain occurs after a bowel movement it could be bowel contraction, abdominal wall pain, a hernia, or even upper leg pain from muscles contracting when you push to expel the stool can be the cause. How long have you been having these pains? Any fever? Any blood in the stool? Have you ever had a colonoscopy? If it persists, see your doctor.
Is this a hernia?
I am not a pediatrician but my guess is that you are correct. Please ask your pediatrician to evaluate. If you do not have a pediatrician please find one for her.
Smelly stool?
The only issue is the black spots in the stool. The black stool which looks like tar may be evidence of bleeding. Little black spots rarely mean bleeding. A stool test for blood READ MORE
The only issue is the black spots in the stool. The black stool which looks like tar may be evidence of bleeding. Little black spots rarely mean bleeding. A stool test for blood would be useful which your doctor can order. If negative the odor is likely normal which can be secondary to
certain foods often sulfur-containing cruciferous foods or a change in the microbiome the microbes living in the digestive tract which may change from diet or medicine change.
certain foods often sulfur-containing cruciferous foods or a change in the microbiome the microbes living in the digestive tract which may change from diet or medicine change.
