EXPERT
Dr. Christian Diaz Stone, MD
Gastroenterologist
Dr. Christian Stone is a gastroenterologist practicing in Las Vegas, NV. Dr. Stone specializes in the digestive system and its diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract, which include organs from the mouth to the anus as well as liver disorders. Gastroenterology includes conditions such as hepatitis, peptic ulcer disease, colitis, nutritional problems and irritable bowel syndrome. Dr. Stone performs colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures and provides accurate and thorough care for patients suffering from digestive issues.
33 years
Experience
Dr. Christian Diaz Stone, MD
- LAS VEGAS, NV
- Unicersity of California Berkeley
- Accepting new patients
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Can take-out food cause my digestive system to collapse?
No, there is no such thing as a collapse of your GI system. Take out food does not weaken your digestive system. Take out food that is high in fat, carbohydrates, salt and processed READ MORE
No, there is no such thing as a collapse of your GI system. Take out food does not weaken your digestive system. Take out food that is high in fat, carbohydrates, salt and processed ingredients will do damage to the rest of your body over time. The GI tract remains remarkably well preserved despite all of the bad food we tend to ingest in the US. But our other organs
(heart, kidneys, arteries, brain, etc.) will suffer the consequences. Eat healthy, don't overeat, and exercise regularly. This equates with general good health and longevity.
(heart, kidneys, arteries, brain, etc.) will suffer the consequences. Eat healthy, don't overeat, and exercise regularly. This equates with general good health and longevity.
What should I do with common constipation?
1. Increase fiber, e.g. citrucel three times per day. 2. Stay active with regular exercise if not doing this already. 3. Use laxative teas. 4. Use Miralax and Dulcolax, daily if READ MORE
1. Increase fiber, e.g. citrucel three times per day.
2. Stay active with regular exercise if not doing this already.
3. Use laxative teas.
4. Use Miralax and Dulcolax, daily if necessary.
If the above doesn't help then see a GI specialist.
2. Stay active with regular exercise if not doing this already.
3. Use laxative teas.
4. Use Miralax and Dulcolax, daily if necessary.
If the above doesn't help then see a GI specialist.
How long does lactose intolerance usually last in kids?
True lactose intolerance is a lifelong state - one is genetically programmed to lose the ability to make the enzyme lactase. This is very common in Asians and occurs in adolescence. READ MORE
True lactose intolerance is a lifelong state - one is genetically programmed to lose the ability to make the enzyme lactase. This is very common in Asians and occurs in adolescence. Sometimes an infection or other acute condition can cause temporary lactose intolerance, but this should go away in a few days to weeks.
How is anal incontinence treated?
Not sure exactly what you mean in your description. The term we usually use is fecal incontinence which means that the patient is losing stool (either liquid or solid) by mistake READ MORE
Not sure exactly what you mean in your description. The term we usually use is fecal incontinence which means that the patient is losing stool (either liquid or solid) by mistake and without control, soiling the underwear, etc. If this is what is happening, then he needs to have an evaluation by a GI specialist. Surgery is not usually needed for this, but there are other
treatments including physical therapy and something called Interstim.
Patients with constipation usually don't have fecal incontinence. If your dad is just having gas (flatulence) and no true fecal incontinence, then all he needs to do is change his diet by reducing carbohydrates. This will get rid of a lot of the gas. One of the effective low-carb diets is called Low FODMAP, which you can find info about online.
Good luck.
treatments including physical therapy and something called Interstim.
Patients with constipation usually don't have fecal incontinence. If your dad is just having gas (flatulence) and no true fecal incontinence, then all he needs to do is change his diet by reducing carbohydrates. This will get rid of a lot of the gas. One of the effective low-carb diets is called Low FODMAP, which you can find info about online.
Good luck.
Treatment for children with Crohn's disease?
This is a very big topic and cannot be done justice in this forum. But in general, Crohn's is treated by reducing the bowel inflammation using various medications in combination. READ MORE
This is a very big topic and cannot be done justice in this forum. But in general, Crohn's is treated by reducing the bowel inflammation using various medications in combination. The key is to achieve deep remission in which the bowel is seen to be completely normal on colonoscopy. Common meds used include Remicade, Humira, azathioprine, mercaptopurine. A good resource to learn about IBD and treatments are the crohnscolitisdoundation.org and the AGA websites.
Lastly, make sure you find the GI doctor with the most experience managing IBD in your area. IBD is quite difficult to treat so you want someone good to guide you. A university setting is often the best place to go because they may have an IBD center or at least one GI doc dedicated to IBD. The best IBD centers in the US are at UCSD, UCSF, Cedars Sinai, UCLA,
Baylor, U of Chicago, Northwestern, Cleveland Clinic, Wash U St. Louis, Mount Sinai, U Miami, UNC, Vanderbilt.
Good luck.
Lastly, make sure you find the GI doctor with the most experience managing IBD in your area. IBD is quite difficult to treat so you want someone good to guide you. A university setting is often the best place to go because they may have an IBD center or at least one GI doc dedicated to IBD. The best IBD centers in the US are at UCSD, UCSF, Cedars Sinai, UCLA,
Baylor, U of Chicago, Northwestern, Cleveland Clinic, Wash U St. Louis, Mount Sinai, U Miami, UNC, Vanderbilt.
Good luck.
How are gallstones treated?
Generally yes, the only way to get rid of gallstones is to remove the gallbladder. The key, however, is to be sure that the gallstones are causing symptoms. Many times, patients READ MORE
Generally yes, the only way to get rid of gallstones is to remove the gallbladder. The key, however, is to be sure that the gallstones are causing symptoms. Many times, patients have vague upper GI symptoms (discomfort, nausea, pain) and also happen to have gallstones, but the stones may actually not be symptomatic. If there is uncertainty about whether the
gallstones are causing symptoms, then you should prepare for the possibility that removing the gallbladder will not relieve the symptoms. This happens more often than we like to admit.
gallstones are causing symptoms, then you should prepare for the possibility that removing the gallbladder will not relieve the symptoms. This happens more often than we like to admit.
What are the best home remedies for hemorrhoids?
All home remedies for hemorrhoids are only meant to relieve symptoms, such as swelling, itching. Tucks pads, Anusol, and sitz baths can help temporarily, but symptoms tend to recur READ MORE
All home remedies for hemorrhoids are only meant to relieve symptoms, such as swelling, itching. Tucks pads, Anusol, and sitz baths can help temporarily, but symptoms tend to recur as long as the hemorrhoids are present. Unfortunately, no home remedy can remove or eliminate the hemorrhoids. This can be accomplished by elastic banding (done by a GI physician) or surgical hemorrhoidectomy.
Is soda safe when I'm experiencing acid reflux?
Yes, it's safe to drink soda - it doesn't necessarily cause reflux. Just watch out for excessive consumption of high fructose corn syrup which is found in many sodas.
What causes indigestion?
Indigestion is not a well defined term and is not often used in a medical context. Instead of guessing what you mean by indigestion, it would be better to know what specific symptoms READ MORE
Indigestion is not a well defined term and is not often used in a medical context. Instead of guessing what you mean by indigestion, it would be better to know what specific symptoms are present before being able to comment on their origin.
How is colorectal polyps diagnosed?
Colonoscopy is the best test. Everyone over age 50 should get one to screen for colon polyps and cancer.
Is cold milk a good option for acid reflux?
No, it's not. Drinking milk has minimal ability to buffer stomach acid and actually will produce more acid. Better to use Tums, Pepcid, or other antacids.
What are some of the causes of acid reflux?
Firstly, we need to be clear about the site of the problem. You mention acid reflux but this would affect the esophagus, mainly in the form of
heartburn, which is felt in the READ MORE
Firstly, we need to be clear about the site of the problem. You mention acid reflux but this would affect the esophagus, mainly in the form of
heartburn, which is felt in the chest. You did not mention heartburn but rather stomach burning as the symptom.
Many people have both heartburn and stomach burning, but surprisingly, heartburn responds better to antiacid medications compared to stomach burning.
Bottom line is that acid reflux (an esophagus problem) should be treated with antiacids such as zantac or prilosec. Stomach burning may not get better with those same pills and could be caused by H pylori infection, ulcer, gastritis, or stomach hypersensitivity (functional dyspepsia). For stomach burning, best to get evaluated by a primary care doctor or GI doctor.
heartburn, which is felt in the chest. You did not mention heartburn but rather stomach burning as the symptom.
Many people have both heartburn and stomach burning, but surprisingly, heartburn responds better to antiacid medications compared to stomach burning.
Bottom line is that acid reflux (an esophagus problem) should be treated with antiacids such as zantac or prilosec. Stomach burning may not get better with those same pills and could be caused by H pylori infection, ulcer, gastritis, or stomach hypersensitivity (functional dyspepsia). For stomach burning, best to get evaluated by a primary care doctor or GI doctor.
What is the diet recommended to manage diverticulosis?
Unfortunately, there is no evidence that a diet affects the course of diverticulosis. In fact, there is nothing that needs to be done besides maintaining regular bowel movements. READ MORE
Unfortunately, there is no evidence that a diet affects the course of diverticulosis. In fact, there is nothing that needs to be done besides maintaining regular bowel movements. The diverticula in the colon are of no consequence unless they get infected (diverticulitis) or bleed. These complications may or may not happen and there is no proof that they can be prevented by diet or anything else.
What is the likely impact two food poisonings on my digestive functions?
The main consequence of food poisoning can be the development of irritable bowel syndrome and/or upper GI dyspepsia, depending on what part of the GI tract was affected. Symptoms READ MORE
The main consequence of food poisoning can be the development of irritable bowel syndrome and/or upper GI dyspepsia, depending on what part of the GI tract was affected. Symptoms can be chronic and may require assessment and treatment by a GI doctor.
What can cause rectal bleeding?
Bleeding with otherwise normal bowel movement is usually from hemorrhoids. An endoscopy exam or colonoscopy can prove it. Don't forget that if you are over 50, you need a screening READ MORE
Bleeding with otherwise normal bowel movement is usually from hemorrhoids. An endoscopy exam or colonoscopy can prove it. Don't forget that if you are over 50, you need a screening colonoscopy whether you have bleeding or not.
Do you think natural medicines may be helpful in treating IBS?
Only some probiotics and IBgard have any evidence that they are effective in IBS, and not in all subtypes of IBS. All other "natural alternative medicines" are essentially snake READ MORE
Only some probiotics and IBgard have any evidence that they are effective in IBS, and not in all subtypes of IBS. All other "natural alternative medicines" are essentially snake oil. Remember that in IBS, the placebo effect can be as high as 50%, so anecdotal reports of improvement with alternative medicines doesn't prove anything.
Can gastritis cause black stools?
Maybe, but not likely. Acid reflux usually does not cause enough bleeding to turn the stools black. If there is really significant GI bleeding resulting in black stools, then this READ MORE
Maybe, but not likely. Acid reflux usually does not cause enough bleeding to turn the stools black. If there is really significant GI bleeding resulting in black stools, then this should be evaluated with an upper endoscopy (EGD).
What do you think is the best OTC treatment for nausea?
No easy or quick answer for this. There are no OTC treatments (to my knowledge) for nausea that have any evidence to support their efficacy. Nausea can be caused by a myriad of READ MORE
No easy or quick answer for this. There are no OTC treatments (to my knowledge) for nausea that have any evidence to support their efficacy. Nausea can be caused by a myriad of conditions, GI and non-GI, so it is best to identify the underlying cause first and treat that. For general nausea of any cause in my patients, I use prescription neuromodulators (example: amitryptiline).
What causes chronic constipation?
Constipation is the result of the slowing down of the activity of the colon. The motility is impaired. We don't know exactly why it happens, but it is extremely common and can READ MORE
Constipation is the result of the slowing down of the activity of the colon. The motility is impaired. We don't know exactly why it happens, but it is extremely common and can be feature of irritable bowel syndrome. The usual approach to treatment is to first alter the diet with a lot more fiber, natural laxative foods such as prunes, kiwis, laxative tea such as Smooth Move. Next is to add over the counter laxatives such as Miralax and dulcolax, daily or twice daily if needed. Finally, if the above is not sufficient, prescription medicines are available through a PCP or GI physician.
Can natural medication solve gastric problems?
Sorry, but the question is too vague to answer in detail. "Natural" medications can have benefits or harms like any medication, but you can be quite certain that most natural medicines READ MORE
Sorry, but the question is too vague to answer in detail. "Natural" medications can have benefits or harms like any medication, but you can be quite certain that most natural medicines are unregulated and have no evidence for their efficacy from placebo controlled trials published in peer reviewed journals.
