Southern Gastroenterology Associates

Mark Kukler, DO
Scott Schorr, MD
Marcelle Owens, MD
Arvind Kulkarni, MD
Tanya Rutledge, MD

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Did You Know?

Wireless capsule endoscopy is a remarkable new technique that can help diagnose problems not detected by conventional studies such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy. During this test, the patient swallows a tiny video capsule, about the size of a large vitamin, that can transmit up to 50,000 color images as it moves through the digestive tract. Ask us about this procedure on your next visit.

Lactose Intolerance
Even though lactose intolerance is a widespread problem, it need not pose a serious threat to good health. People who have trouble digesting lactose can learn, by testing themselves, which dairy products and other foods they can eat without discomfort and which ones they should avoid. Many will be able to enjoy milk, ice cream, and other such products if they take them in small amounts or eat other kinds of food at the same time. Others can use lactase liquid or tablets to help digest the lactose. Even older women and children who must avoid milk and foods made with milk can meet most of their special dietary needs by eating greens, fish, and other calcium-rich foods that are free of lactose. A carefully chosen diet (with calcium supplements if the doctor recommends them) is the key to reducing symptoms and protecting future health.

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest significant amounts of lactose, which is the predominant sugar of milk. Close to 50 million American adults are lactose intolerant. Certain ethnic and racial populations are more widely affected than others. As many as 75 percent of all African-American, Jewish, Native American, and Mexican-American adults, and 90 percent of Asian-American adults are lactose intolerant. The condition is least common among people of northern European descent.

Lactose intolerance results from a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is normally produced by the cells that line the small intestine. Lactase breaks down milk sugar into simpler forms that can then be absorbed into the blood stream. When there is not enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose consumed, the results, although not usually dangerous, may be very distressing.

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Chronic Viral Hepatitis

Cirrhosis of the Liver

Colon Cancer

Constipation

Gallstones

Gas in the Digestive Tract

Heartburn

Hemorrhoids

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Lactose Intolerance

Pancreatitis

Peptic Ulcer Disease