Dr. John Birk M.D.

Recommended Articles

• How is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?

  Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to damage in the lining of the small intestine when exposed to gluten in certain foods. People who have celiac disease are unable to properly digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. In these individuals, the damage that results...

• What Is a Thrombosed Hemorrhoid?

  Hemorrhoids result from the application of pressure in the anus and rectum. This pressure affects the flow of blood, resulting in the formation of swellings in the veins covering these areas, known as hemorrhoids. At times, the vessels may not allow blood to flow properly along these veins and the...

• New Research Shows a Link Between Chronic Illness and Attempted Suicide in Young People

  Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can trigger life-threatening complications that may require surgical intervention. According to Statistics Canada, suicide is a major cause of impulsive and preventable death. It is one of the leading causes of death among individuals of all ages and it...

• Cooking Tips for a Crohn's Diet

  If you are suffering from Crohn’s disease, then you are aware that inflammation of your small intestine can make it more difficult for you to digest and absorb the proper nutrients you require. While there is no cure for Crohn’s disease, there are specific foods that may trigger flare-ups or...

• How Going Vegan Can Be Helpful for Ulcerative Colitis

  Managing UC can be quite stressful. Often, this diagnosis means that people need to get to know their body all over again.They have to learn what foods to avoid and what foods are helpful. For many, this means that they have to weed out foods that were previously their favorites.The internet is full...

• IBD Severity in Children Can Be Predicted by Genetic Testing

  The good news for children suffering from IBD and their parents is that a group of Norwegian research scientists has had a recent breakthrough in determining a new test to both diagnose and categorize IBD through the profiling of the bacterial composition of the large bowel.Inflammatory bowel...