Conditions Treated
Some of the disorders treated at Coastal Digestive Health
Click on a treatment for more information.
Extra tissue growth in the lining of the large intestine which starts off as a small bump and can grow to look like a mushroom. Some polyps can become cancerous over time.
A malignant growth that develops inside the large bowel that predominantly develops from a polyp (small tissue growth).
When stomach contents (acid) leaks up into the esophagus and/or mouth.
They are a collection of solid, pebble-like structures that form inside the gallbladder.
A diverticulum refers to a pouch-like structure that forms in the wall of the colon, particularly at points where blood vessels enter. Diverticulitis is an inflammation of a diverticulum.
A condition that produces an abnormal immune system response to gluten, which can cause damage to the lining of the small intestine and difficulties in absorbing important nutrients.
Refers to a change in bowel habits, where bowel motions are infrequent (less than three times per week) or difficult to pass.
Caused by a build-up of excess fat in the liver cells and can lead to liver cirrhosis. Risk factors for fatty liver disease include obesity, diabetes and elevated triglyceride levels.
Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.
An index called the body mass index (BMI) is used to classify adults (both male and females). It is calculated by determining the sum of a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg/m2), and is the same for both male and females.
- a BMI greater than or equal to 25 is overweight
- a BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obesity (WHO definition)
Facts
At least 2.8 million adults die each year as a result of being overweight or obese, the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. It is linked to more deaths worldwide than malnutrition or being underweight.
In 2011, more than 40 million children under the age of five were overweight. More than 30 million overweight children are living in developing countries and 10 million in developed countries.
Health Consequences
- Cardiovascular disease (mainly heart disease and stroke);
- Type 2 diabetes;
- Fatty Liver
- Musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis – a highly disabling degenerative disease of the joints);
- Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon).
What can be done
- Limit energy intake from carbohydrates;
- Increase consumption of vegetables, as well as legumes, whole grains and nuts;
- Regular physical activity (60 minutes a day for children and 150 minutes per week for adults).
Treatment
There are medications, endoscopic and surgical options available to those where long term weight loss or weight maintenance is not possible.
The newest medication therapy available in Australia is Saxenda ® (not covered under the PBS) which works like a hormone the body produces naturally to regulate appetite, known as glucagon-like-peptide (GLP-1). It activates areas of your brain that regulate appetite, making you feel less hungry, which can lead to lower calorie intake and weight loss. It can help you to not only lose weight, but keep it off.
Conditions treated – Diabetes
There are several different types of diabetes mellitus, however the most common forms are:
- Type 1: which is an auto-immune disorder, where the pancreas (an organ in the abdomen) does not make enough insulin. http://www.uptodate.com/contents/diabetes-mellitus-type-1-overview-beyond-the-basics
- Type 2: the pancreas does not make enough insulin, or the body becomes resistant to normal or even high levels of insulin, or both. This causes high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, which can cause serious health problems if left untreated. In the Western world approximately 90% of people with diabetes have type 2. http://www.uptodate.com/contents/diabetes-mellitus-type-2-overview-beyond-the-basics