62-year old Howard Fuhr was taken by surprise when he went to see his heart specialist. “I had an abnormal –um—stress test and um the next thing that my cardiologist suggested was having an angiogram and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to go that... (Read more about 64 SLICE CT SCANNER)

There are new important health recommendations out tonight for anyone who has a history of smoking and is older. The latest guidelines say these individuals are at high risk for a deadly ruptured blood vessel in the abdomen. It’s estimated more... (Read more about ABDOMINAL ANEURYSM SCREENING)

There is a warning tonight about people who use acid blocking medicines. They are at risk for getting pneumonia. More than a quarter of the population gets symptoms such as heartburn. Many are on acid reducing medicines. But because they block... (Read more about ACID BLOCKERS AND PNEUMONIA)

If you suffer from acid reflux, there’s new evidence you can avoid the damage this can cause by changing the way you sleep. Acid reflux disease is a common cause of heartburn. And many times the acid can travel back up into the food pipe at... (Read more about ACID REFLUX AND RIGHT SIDE)

“I am here to show you that there is life after colon cancer, and it is something that can be easily detected and treated,” says Verna Cox. 56 year old Verna Cox says it’s a testament to her competitive spirit, that she wasn’t going to let... (Read more about African American Women and Colon Cancer)

Fissures account for the most common type of painful rectal disease after hemorrhoids. These fissures are small, painful tears in the walls of the anus which are often treated by anti-inflammatory creams. (Read more about Anal Fissures)

The appendix is a small, finger-like appendage that sits at the juncture of the small and large intestines. Before antibiotics an appendectomy or removal of the appendix was one of the most common surgical procedures. (Read more about Appendectomy)

If you or someone you love has osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones, there’s a new approach to protecting your bones along with your overall health. It involves taking a couple of vitamins each day! (Read more about B12 FOLATE AND HIP FRACTURE)

As kids the five Sitarski brothers were your typical pack of boys...they played baseball, cowboys and indians, they were best friends…but, today the brothers are battling a potentially fatal condition known as Barrett’s Esophagus. “In 2004 my... (Read more about Barrett's Esophagus)

If it was up to two year old Noah Winkler, he’d spend every waking hour on the playground. But it was the complete opposite just months ago. “We would go to the playground and he would refuse to get out of his stroller and he would sit in the... (Read more about CELIAC DISEASE)

You might be taking calcium to protect your bones, but did you know you’re getting a double benefit from the supplement? Calcium protects you against colon polyps. There are now several studies that show calcium and vitamin D do indeed work to... (Read more about COLON POLYPS AND CALCIUM)

There is important new information tonight for those who have had a blood clot in the leg. New findings show that compression stockings can prevent serious complications of these blood clots, although they are not used by many patients. This... (Read more about COMPRESSION STOCKINGS)

Ole! Manana is Cinco de Mayo! Lots of folks will be heading to bars and restaurants around town to enjoy this Mexican holiday. But will a healthy dose of fun come with a hefty dose of heartburn? A one time episode of heartburn on Cinco... (Read more about Cinco De Mayo and Heartburn)

Colon cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in America. The colon is a muscular thin tube about 5 feet long. (Read more about Colon Cancer)

We are in the midst of March Madness now, but a sidebar to the basketball tournaments is a coaches versus cancer initiative to get fans to think about colon cancer screening during what also happens to be colon cancer awareness month. They’re... (Read more about Colon Cancer March Madness)

New research reveals a critical period when a child is at risk of becoming obese. A study from Columbia University Medical Center found that during the ages of 1-3 years, children are at risk of gaining significant weight. The researchers... (Read more about Critical Age for Childhood Weight Gain)

The colon or large bowel stores waste products of digestion and reabsorbs salt and water back into the body. (Read more about Diverticulitis)

So what does graffiti have to do with being obese? According to new research, environment and obesity are linked. If you live around areas that are grafittied and littered, you’re more likely to be obese. It’s an interesting take on obesity:... (Read more about ENVIRONMENT AND OBESITY)

There was good news this week for patients suffering from food allergies. President Bush signed into law a bill that calls for better labeling of food products so that consumers have improved access to information about food allergies. With the... (Read more about FOOD ALLERGIES)

The FDA is planning on overhauling the labeling of foods, so that you, the consumer, can know how much you’re really eating. Right now, the food labels are deceiving, and you may be thinking you’re taking in fewer calories and carbs than you... (Read more about FOOD LABEL CHANGES)

The food pyramid is the government’s symbol of healthy eating. Now, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the food pyramid is not pulling its weight, as Americans get fatter and fatter and ignore the government’s recommendations. The... (Read more about FOOD PYRAMID REVAMP)

Cynthia Piro takes every food safety precaution in the kitchen before she hits the grill. “I always wash off my cutting boards with warm soapy water,” says Cynthia. And every food group gets its own preparation area. “Vegetables get their own... (Read more about FOOD SAFETY)

An important medical study shows what you see all around you. It might sound plain and simple, but the study looked at obesity trends and found that most of us are getting- plain and simple- fat. This is one of those studies that makes people... (Read more about Fat Study)

Ann and Leslie are not just best friends, they’re sisters. And both have battled obesity since they were children. “As long as I can remember weight has always been an issue,” says Ann Greenberger, who recently decided to have a gastric bypass... (Read more about GASTRIC BYPASS)

GERD or gastro-esophageal reflex disease affects millions of Americans. However, only recently has attention been given to this syndrome. (Read more about GERD)

Gastric surgery to treat obesity was first developed in 1967 in the United States. Over the years, several different types of gastric surgeries have been used. (Read more about Gastric Surgery)

More than 10% of Americans have suffered from stomach ulcers in their lives. People who smoke, abuse alcohol, take asprin or some anti-inflammatory drugs are in a high risk category. (Read more about Gastric Ulcers)

It’s Halloween this weekend, and parents need to take extreme care with Halloween food safety. Specifically, parents of children with food allergies need to take extra caution. Halloween food safety is a particularly important consideration for... (Read more about HALLOWEEN FOOD SAFETY)

As you cook up the holiday meal this weekend, did you remember to put out enough foods high in antioxidants, the cancer fighting, heart disease-battling chemicals? (Read more about HEALTHY HOLIDAY FOOD STUDY)

Currently there are several available acid reflux treatments. 60 million Americans suffer from it. One-fourth of these, approximately 15 million, have daily symptoms. That is the case with patient Michael Mills. (Read more about HEARTBURN TREATMENT STUDY)

Jim Isaacson is an avid bike rider. In fact, even when he was in terrible pain with hemorrhoids he wouldn’t stop cycling. “I am not very good about shutting down so even with the bleeding I still would go on my rides,” says Jim. (Read more about HEMORRHOID TREATMENT)

Hemorrhoids are enlarged or varicose veins which cause itching and pain around the anus and rectum. They are caused by straining when defecating, lifting or natural weakness in the veins of the anus and rectum. (Read more about Hemarroids)

A new study shows viral hepatitis C--a deadly liver infection--is becoming more prevalent in those over 40--among the baby boomers who are aging. And that means, many people in this age group are at risk now for the complications that come with... (Read more about Hepatitis C Update)

Inflammatory bowel disease can make life miserable for people who suffer from it. It is inconvenient to the point of adversely affecting the quality of life. “Because of inflammatory bowel syndrome, for my entire life, wherever I went I had to... (Read more about INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE)

Are doctors focusing on fixing the wrong thing when a patient shows signs of having irritable bowel syndrome? Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common reasons for doctor visits-- it affects 15 per cent of the U.S. population. Yet, new... (Read more about IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME SYMPTOMS)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a description of several diseases, including Crohn's Disease and colitis. (Read more about Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a disorder of the intestines that leads to cramps, gas, pain and bouts of diarrhea alternated with constipation. (Read more about Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

As a Broadway press agent, Michael Hartmans life is jam-packed with deadlines, meetings and mountains of stress. But 3 years ago, his world was turned upside down. Michael began passing blood, and was diagnosed with colon cancer. (Read more about LAPAROSCOPIC COLON CANCER SURGERY)

Research shows that a low carb diet may be the ideal way to go about losing weight. “I eat a lot of eggs and a lot of meat. I sometimes even have roast beef rolled up at lunch, with some mayonnaise.” It doesn’t sound like a recipe for weight loss,... (Read more about LOW CARB DIET STUDIES)

“I was diagnosed with M.S. more than 30 years ago. Back then it was a virtual death sentence because there were no drugs to help you out.” Although her gait is slow, and she uses a cane, Zoe Koplowitz has fought multiple sclerosis since her... (Read more about M.S. DRUG)

Can a simple diet actually cut a person’s chances of dying by more than half? New research shows the Mediterranean diet, a diet popular in Europe, can dramatically lower mortality risk in individuals over the age of 70, and probably has the same... (Read more about MEDITERRANIAN DIET)

Do you have the condition that millions of Americans have which puts them at risk for a heart attack or a stroke? Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of symptoms or conditions that together markedly raises one’s risk for cardiovascular disease.... (Read more about METABOLIC SYNDROME DEATH RISK)

Imagine if you could indulge in the fattiest of foods and not gain a single pound. It sounds too good to be true…but, genetically engineered mice at the University of Michigan Medical School are living every frustrated dieter’s dream. (Read more about MICE AND FAT GENE)

Parents are finding innovative ways to ensure that their kids eat healthy snacks. It’s snack time once again in the Browne household. Seven year old Patrick and three year old Shawn feverishly scour the pantry shelves searching for the perfect... (Read more about NUTRITIONAL MISTAKES PARENTS MAKE)

For Julie Bayley there’s nothing better than cooking up an exotic home cooked meal and pairing it with the perfect bottle of wine. But, Julie says that for years her epicurean indulgences left her paying the price…unrelenting vicious heartburn.... (Read more about New GERD Procedure)

Doris Brundza says that battling irritable bowel syndrome for over two decades completely zapped away her energy. “It impacted my energy level because with irritable bowel sometimes you feel like your bowels are inflamed and when you have... (Read more about New IBS Treatment)

Pediatrician, Dr. Jana Dehovitz , spends a good portion of her day counseling parents on how to make sure their children are getting proper nutrition. Ironically, for Dr. Dehovitz, the tables turned…she became the patient in desperate need of... (Read more about Night Eating Syndrome)

Scientists have been warning that diabetes will be the next medical crisis in this country. Now – a new study may give us a better warning of who its next victims will be, showing that diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes and obesity may be... (Read more about OBESITY AND DIABETES RISK)

There are two new studies out that show that obesity is more than a heart disease risk, that obesity and cancer are also related. Specifically the latest research shows that being overweight raises the risk for colon cancer and esophageal cancer.... (Read more about OBESITY AND GI CANCER RISK)

There’s good news and bad news for men suffering from impotence. The bad news, it appears that obesity is a significant contributing factor--a concern given the overall fattening of America. According to the authors of the new study, obesity... (Read more about OBESITY AND IMPOTENCE)

The U.S. government has released a study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which shows unquestionably America shows no signs of slimming down. This is in spite of news last week when a major researcher said the... (Read more about OBESITY IN AMERICA)

There’s new evidence that obesity surgery, which helps people lose weight provides significant health benefits that could prolong life and improve quality of life. The study was done in Taiwan, and looked at obese patients in a surgical weight... (Read more about OBESITY SURGERY AND METABOLIC SYNDROME)

There’s no question that the cost of obesity in America is not just a healthcare concern, but an economic concern as well. But exactly how severe is the cost of obesity, and can tackling the financial aspects of obesity help reverse the obesity... (Read more about Obesity Costs)

Obesity is still on the rise. A new study released by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that by 2015, 75% of adults will be overweight, 41% will be obese. The study was a meta-analysis (comprehensive overview) of 20... (Read more about Obesity Rates Expected to Soar in the US)

Severe obesity is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat through diet and exercise alone. Bariatric surgery is one of the best options for people who are severely obese and cannot lose weight by traditional means or who suffer from... (Read more about Obesity and Weight Loss Surgery)

Colonic Polyps which is small growth of flash grow into the colon. These can eventually account for the second leading cause of cancer for men after lung caner. (Read more about Polyps)

By Dr. Thomas Cerebona, Dr. Ashutosh Kaul and Dr. Edward Yatco Nutritional Expectations: After Gastric Bypass you will need to make changes to your eating patterns. The diet after surgery progresses from a liquid diet to a pureed diet to a soft... (Read more about Post Gastric Bypass Eating Habits)

There is a product on the market which supposedly can help people get over their intolerance to milk. It’s something many adults have to deal with. 25 percent of the white population, and almost 90 percent of blacks, Asians, and American... (Read more about Remedy or Ripoff Lactagen)

We’re not getting any younger. And there are plenty of baby boomers who are suddenly looking at their senior years. But with all the push to get screened for cancer, when is it ok to stop getting tested, in particular, for colon cancer? This... (Read more about Screenings for the Elderly)

A less popular form of weight loss surgery appears to be better than the standard type currently done in most centers. For so-called “super obese” patients, it could mean a better result. It’s called the biliopancreatic diverserion with... (Read more about Super Obesity Surgery)

There is new hope for patients suffering from the gastrointestinal condition known as ulcerative colitis. The disease can be severe, and often, treatment does not completely relieve the symptoms. Sometimes surgery is the only recourse for... (Read more about ULCERATIVE COLITIS TREATMENT)

If you’re one of the 50 million Americans taking an aspirin a day to prevent heart attack and stroke, you might be at risk for developing stomach ulcer bleeding. The current recommendations are that doctors give patients at risk for a bleeding... (Read more about ULCERS AND ASPIRINS)

There may be a new answer for a very common gastrointestinal disorder called irritable bowel syndrome. The answer: an antibiotic. A new study just released shows perhaps treating bacterial overgrowth of the intestines with an antibiotic... (Read more about Update on New IBS Treatment)

Moserata Santana is not worried about colon cancer in spite of the fact that the disease killed her father and brother. She’s getting a screening colonoscopy, and has faith that the colonoscopy procedure will detect anything unusual, before it... (Read more about Virtual Colonoscopy)

Tina Quinn savors every moment playing outside with her dogs. Most days, she’s held prisoner to her car. As a salesperson she spends most of her time traveling nonstop from client to client, making it unfeasible for her to stick to any sustained... (Read more about WEIGHT LOSS RETAINER)

New research out of a major radiology meeting shows that virtual colonoscopy along with computer-aided detection is highly effective for finding colon polyps, which can become cancerous. Virtual colonoscopy is desirable because there is no risk... (Read more about Weekly Health Wrap)

A new study published in the Archives of Surgery found no difference between outcomes of patients younger or older than 60 years who underwent gastric by-pass surgery. This study at the Western Reserve University Medical Center, followed 900... (Read more about Weight Loss Surgery for Older Americans)

Emily Loewenstein is one energetic weight watchers instructor. She has reason to be: she lost 70 pounds on the program. Tom Pimpinelli has also had tremendous success losing weight. “I did very well. Two pounds a week. I dropped from 268,... (Read more about Weight Watchers)

Peptic Ulcer Disease One out of eight people in the United States will be diagnosed with Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) over the course of their lifetimes. As with many diseases are understanding of the issues and causes of the disease have been... (Read more about What Is a Peptic Ulcer?)

By Dr. Chitti Moorthy -Director, Departments of Radiation Medicine and Radiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla , NY The cause of cancer lies deep within the building blocks of a person's cells (genes and DNA). If these blocks become... (Read more about What is Cancer?)

Video: Dr. Jonathan Cohen of the Concorde Medical Group discusses Gastroenterology. Gastroenterology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the digestive tract - from the mouth to the anus. Gastroenterolgy studies the functioning and... (Read more about What is Gastroenterology?)

The fattening of America is so out there, so obvious, the question has become how do we get the message that we need to reverse the trend? Perhaps, the message is sinking in, at least among women. New research released by the CDC shows,... (Read more about Women, Obesity Rates, and the Fountain of Youth)