Author Archives: Kenneth McKenna

Symptoms of ERCP Complications

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is beneficial in specific medical cases. However, doctors and patients should be aware of the potential complications after ERCP.

Just because this procedure is common, that doesn’t mean it’s safe for everyone, or that it won’t result in complications.

Before an ERCP, all procedures and their risk factors should be discussed. After an ERCP procedure, the patient should be monitored to ensure that complications do not develop. Patients should be educated on how to recognize symptoms of ERCP complications. Many ERCP complications exhibit similar symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Continue reading →

Preventing Digestive Problems: Foods to Avoid

While every individual is different, there are certain foods that are known to cause digestive problems in a majority of patients. Digestive problems are a trigger that can lead people to visit a doctor and ultimately undergo an ERCP procedure. While ERCP procedures are fairly common, they can be dangerous and cause life-ending or debilitating problems.

One way to avoid an ERCP procedure is to maintain digestive health. For patients experiencing chronic digestive problems, it may be helpful to avoid these foods and make note of improvements over a period of time. When avoiding foods, it may also be useful for the patient to make note of the types of digestive complications associated with the foods. This may assist doctors in ordering the correct tests to identify food allergies and other complications that may contribute to digestive disorders.
Continue reading →

Who Performs an ERCP?

An ERCP is performed by a gastroenterologist. Gastroenterologists are specialists that have unique training and extensive knowledge of the digestive tract. Having a gastroenterologist experienced in ERCP is extremely important to the efficacy of the procedure. Highly-qualified gastroenterologists are likely to identify abnormalities and take timely action to treat conditions in the digestive tract. However, not all gastroenterologists have sufficient training to perform an ERCP correctly, which places the patient at risk.
Continue reading →

When Is it Time for an ERCP?

ERCP, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, is a procedure that is used to examine the gastrointestinal tract and the pancreatic and bile ducts. This procedure is typically used when less invasive forms of testing have failed to conclusively diagnose an existing condition. ERCP may also be used to treat conditions immediately following a confirmed diagnosis.
Continue reading →

A Deadly Outbreak: CRE Infections in Hospitals

New reports have been surfacing about a new threat emerging within the walls of America’s largest hospitals. One of the most widely performed non-surgical procedures (ERCP) may be responsible for dozens of deaths and a potential global health crisis. It has been revealed that hospitals in several major cities are reporting deaths due to CRE outbreaks.
Continue reading →

5 Foods for a Healthy Digestive System

The value of food in easing daily aches and discomforts is often underestimated. In many cases digestive issues such as constipation, bloating, and gas may be mitigated or prevented by eating the right foods. In addition to easing temporary discomfort, making these foods a regular part of a daily diet may help to add vital nutrients that can support healthy digestion in the future without the side effects that are often experienced when using medications to aid digestion.
Continue reading →

Gallstones: Causes, Effects, Treatments

The gallbladder stores bile, which is created by the liver and aids in digestion. This bile sometimes crystallizes and forms stones, called gallstones. Approximately one million Americans are affected by gallstone disease every year.
Continue reading →

Coping with Pancreatic Cancer

A pancreatic cancer diagnosis can be one of the most devastating discussions of a patient’s life. After receiving a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, patients must endure a lot of changes in their lives to adapt to the condition and commit to their health. Patients will often need to manage severe and painful symptoms, undergo rigorous treatment regimens, and make important decisions regarding care. During this trying time, pancreatic cancer patients and their loved ones are encouraged to take steps to cope with the trials and tribulations of the condition.
Continue reading →

Digestive Health Tips

Individuals with and without digestive issues can take steps to improve and maintain their digestive health. Daily digestive health tips such as staying hydrated and engaging in physical activity can have a positive impact on the digestive system, diminishing the need for an ERCP procedure. Improving digestion can help to alleviate symptoms associated with digestive issues such as constipation, bloating, and gas. Additionally, improving digestion naturally may help with digestive disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Continue reading →

Common Digestive Problems

Common digestive problems may be caused by several factors, from certain ingredients in a meal to underlying digestive disorders. In many cases, common digestive problems can be treated with a healthier diet or over-the-counter medications to relieve temporary pain and discomfort. However, persistent problems may indicate a digestive disorder. Patients whose digestive symptoms seem to linger or worsen over time should visit a gastrointestinal specialist. In cases of severe symptoms, special procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may be prescribed.
Continue reading →