Dr. Rakesh Vinayek M.D.

What is an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)?An esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD is an upper GI endoscopy procedure performed to diagnose and treat problems in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.This procedure involves the use of an endoscope, which is a long and flexible tube with a tiny camera...

Causes of Gastrointestinal Tract and Rectal BleedingHemorrhoids (Piles)Hemorrhoids are probably the most common cause of blood in the stool. These are swellings in the lower rectum (lower back passage) and anus. Inside the lining of the lower rectum and anus is a group of small blood vessels known...

Diagnosed at 3 years old with celiac disease, Sara Kronenberg and her family had to make some big changes to their diets and embrace a gluten-free lifestyle.  Thanks to her mother’s support and research that she did about living gluten-free, Sara and her older sister Emma became experts at...

Nowadays, it's very common to see a lot of food items in the grocery store claim to be “gluten-free.” Some restaurants also entice their customers by claiming that they serve dishes without gluten in them. And, other times, it's also possible to hear some people ask the local bakeries if they...

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common gastrointestinal disorder, which is usually characterized by common symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. People suffering from the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) most often report unique symptoms that don’t seem to be...

Crohn’s disease affects the body’s gastrointestinal tract, usually but not always in the intestines. All along the GI tract, countless bacteria and microorganisms live and thrive from the time that a person turns one or two years of age. The relationship between this community of...