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Blog Archive

Here’s How Your FibroScan® is Going to Work Oct 1st, 2023

Over 100 million Americans have liver disease, but only 4.5 million know it. If you’re one of the unaware millions, you could be missing an opportunity to treat the problem and avoid liver failure and cancer.  We can help. Dr. Ayub Hussain and our Northside Gastroenterology Associates team can quickly and painlessly assess...

Will Diverticulosis Resolve on Its Own? Sep 1st, 2023

When something is wrong with your digestive system, you get a gut feeling — literally. Your bowel habits change, you feel bloated and heavy, and you may have cramps and abdominal pain.  These symptoms are common among several gastrointestinal conditions, including colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and...

Are Polyps Dangerous? Aug 7th, 2023

You did your duty and got a colonoscopy and got some unexpected news along with it — you have colon polyps. Your first reaction is: What are polyps are, and are they dangerous? Your response is normal and perfectly understandable because the unknown is always unsettling. That’s why Dr. Ayub...

The Link Between Ulcers and Abdominal Pain Jul 1st, 2023

If you have abdominal pain, it could mean something simple, like you ate too much, you have the flu, or (if you’re a woman) you’re period is on the way. It can also point to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or other conditions.  In this blog post, Dr. Ayub Hussain discusses one of the common...

Can My Diet Alone Manage My IBS? Jun 4th, 2023

You know irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it’s that annoying digestive disorder that has you tethered to your bathroom or constantly searching for one nearby. You also know the familiar IBS symptoms — abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort with a side of diarrhea or constipation. While there’s no cure for IBS,...

Is Acid Reflux Dangerous to My Health? May 1st, 2023

Every now and then, everyone has a little heartburn. Spicy foods, big meals, alcohol, and stress can push your stomach contents upward past your lower esophageal sphincter — the gatekeeper between your food tube and tummy.  The strong acids cause an unpleasant sensation known as heartburn. This acid reflux is...

Understanding Your Treatment Options for Hemorrhoids Apr 10th, 2023

No one enjoys talking about hemorrhoids — they crop up in a very private place on your backside and cause hard-to-ignore symptoms like itching, pain, and bleeding. You’ve tried to resolve the issue on your own, but nothing seems to work. We understand, and we can help. Dr. Ayub Hussain...

What’s Causing My Abdominal Pain? Mar 2nd, 2023

Abdominal pain refers to discomfort in the belly region, which is the home to the stomach, gallbladder, liver, small and large intestines, and pancreas. Together, these organs make up your digestive system, and any disease or disorder that affects them can cause abdominal pain. But pain can also stem from...

What Is Fatty Liver Disease, and How Is It Treated? Feb 6th, 2023

When you’re overweight, you know it — your body bulges, your clothes get tight, and the scale starts groaning. But did you know that your organs can also develop a weight problem? Specifically, your liver can build up fat and become enlarged. This is called fatty liver disease, which can...

Do Hemorrhoids Go Away on Their Own? Jan 1st, 2023

Hemorrhoids are nothing more than swollen veins; they crop up in a sensitive spot — your anus. The private nature of the location makes some people avoid the topic and avoid seeking help, but the truth is hemorrhoids are quite common. At some point in time, one in 20 Americans experiences the problem.  Dr....

Why Excess Weight Can Cause Acid Reflux Dec 1st, 2022

Thin people can indeed experience heartburn, but overweight people are more prone, and there’s a clear link between obesity and acid reflux. Here, Dr. Ayub Hussain at Northside Gastroenterology Associates in Cypress and Katy, Texas, explains the connection and what can be done. Understanding the lingo Before diving into the relationship between weight...

The Worst Gas-Producing Foods and How to Avoid Them Nov 3rd, 2022

No matter how old we are, what gender we are, how wealthy we are, or how we vote, there’s one thing that binds us all together: gas. We all have it and wish we could avoid passing it in public. Gas production is a natural part of digestion, so you...

Pregnant? Here’s What You Should Know About Your Risk for Hemorrhoids Oct 1st, 2022

Pregnancy is one of the most joyful phases of life, but it can also come with a long list of uncomfortable physical effects. One of the lesser-known aspects of pregnancy is the risk of developing hemorrhoids.  Many of our pregnant patients are unaware of these painful, itchy veins bulge out around...

Common Causes of a Hiatal Hernia (And What You Can Do About It) Sep 1st, 2022

Everyone experiences occasional acid reflux and heartburn, and about 20% of American adults suffer from these symptoms multiple times a week due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If you’re one of them, you may also belch a lot, have trouble swallowing, and experience chest pain. Untreated GERD can cause bleeding ulcers and tissue damage, leading...

The Link Between GERD and Asthma Aug 1st, 2022

Living with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) means avoiding acidic and spicy foods, losing weight, not smoking, and keeping your head elevated when you sleep. You may even take medicine to manage your GERD symptoms. But suddenly dealing with asthma was never on your radar. If you’re experiencing the symptoms of both conditions,...

Is Heartburn Inevitable with Aging? Jul 1st, 2022

It’s a cruel fact of life that your body begins to break down just about the time when you retire and have more free time to do what you want. Arthritis sets into your joints, your vision gets a little blurry, and your hearing loses its edge, and your memory...

4 Ways to Prevent Hemorrhoid Pain Jun 1st, 2022

It’s never easy to talk about issues you’re having “down there” and we understand why. However, leaving a problem like hemorrhoids to its own devices can leave you dealing with long-term pain and other complications.  Our specialist at Northside Gastroenterology Associates, Dr. Ayub Hussain, knows how important information is to managing...

5 Different Types of Endoscopy May 1st, 2022

Endoscopy uses a long, slender instrument with a tiny camera at the tip to give doctors a better look at your internal organs, vessels, and tissues. It only takes a tiny incision, so recovery time and wound care are simple and easy. At Northside Gastroenterology in Cypress and Katy, Texas,...

Who Should Have a Colonoscopy? Are You Up to Date on the New Guidelines? Apr 1st, 2022

Nearly 53,000 Americans die from colon cancer every year. Although colon cancer typically occurs in people over age 65, more than 10% of folks under 50 get diagnosed as well. These staggering stats are enough to make you grab the phone and book a colon cancer screening right now, and we’re glad you’re motivated....

5 Health Benefits of Fiber-Rich Foods Mar 3rd, 2022

If you’ve been lying awake at night worrying about fiber, you may be overthinking it. But if you never think about fiber at all, you may be one of the 90%-95% of Americans who lacks this essential nutrient and has related medical conditions to show for it.  At Northside Gastroenterology...

Do Foods Affect Diverticulitis? Feb 28th, 2022

If you’re experiencing abdominal pain and need an expert diagnosis, you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Ayub Hussain, our board-certified specialist at Northside Gastroenterology Associates, offers patient-centered care to folks throughout Cypress and Houston, Texas.  Abdominal pain is a common symptom that could indicate several different conditions. Here, Dr....

When to See a Specialist About Abdominal Pain Jan 1st, 2022

Occasional stomach aches are common occurrences, and you can usually handle them with rest, antacids, or a bowel movement. But when severe stomach pain hits, your world stops, and you start wondering who you should call for answers. If you live in or around Cypress or Katy, Texas, the solution...

Lifestyle Habits That Fuel Acid Reflux Dec 1st, 2021

When your stomach acid flows upward into your esophagus — a condition called acid reflux — the painful burning sensation in your chest is unmistakable.  Commonly called heartburn thanks to its proximity to your ticker, acid reflux in its mildest form can be annoying and uncomfortable, and in its more...

IBS vs. IBD: What’s the Difference? Nov 10th, 2021

Unless you never watch TV, have no social media accounts, and don’t read magazines and newspapers, you’ve probably seen the acronyms IBS and IBD several times over the last few years. As awareness of these common conditions increases, so does the confusion about their differences.  If you’ve heard these terms...

Swallow a What? What to Expect If You Need a Capsule Endoscopy Oct 11th, 2021

Endoscopies revolutionized the field of gastroenterology by allowing doctors to see inside their patients without surgery. The earliest iterations in the mid-1800s used a rudimentary system of tubular speculums, candlelight, and mirrors, but they inspired today’s modern marvels that deliver clear digital images of the digestive tract. At Northside Gastroenterology...

Signs You Might Have Barrett’s Esophagus Sep 8th, 2021

The acid in your stomach is pretty potent. It breaks down chunks of steak, fibrous veggies, and even chewing gum if it has to. Your stomach lining is meant to handle this intense level of acidity, but if its acid comes into contact with other body parts, it can do...

When Your Tummy Pain May Mean You Have Diverticulitis Aug 12th, 2021

You can’t go a day without seeing a television commercial or social media post about acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but you almost never hear about diverticulitis. And that’s odd considering it’s the third most prevalent gastrointestinal problem in the United States, and about 60%...

Foods to Avoid If You Suffer From GERD Jul 18th, 2021

Most people are familiar with occasional heartburn, the searing sensation you feel when a bit of your stomach acid slips into your lower esophagus (which happens to be near your heart). Your ticker is fine, but your esophagus may sustain some damage if you have frequent heartburn, also called acid...

What are the Symptoms of IBS? Jun 29th, 2021

If you frequently find yourself sitting in a meeting, a classroom, a restaurant, or movie and suddenly feel intense pressure in your bowels that makes you scan for the nearest exit, you may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). And without an emergency escape plan wherever you go, you may be...

Endoscopy: What to Expect May 27th, 2021

If you have gut issues, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), difficulty swallowing, or unexplained abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, or anemia, you may need an endoscopy to help identify the problem.  An endoscopy is simply a procedure that enables your doctor to capture images of your digestive tract. There are several...

Hemorrhoid Pain: When to See a Doctor Apr 1st, 2021

Hemorrhoids are uncomfortable in more ways than one. Not only do they cause pain and itching, they also make you uneasy when it comes to talking about them, even to your doctor.  While we understand that discussing your anus probably tops the list of your least favorite things, there are...

Acid Reflux: 5 Common Triggers Dec 1st, 2020

Your stomach contains some pretty powerful acids that help digest the food you send down. And that’s okay, because your stomach lining was designed to handle it. But other tissues in your body are more sensitive and face severe damage if they come into contact with that acid.  One of...

Emotional Aspects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Nov 1st, 2020

It’s human nature to keep certain aspects of life private — and bathroom business certainly falls into that category. But if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), your bowel behavior is erratic and unpredictable, which means you can’t control when or where you’ll need to desperately find a restroom,...

When Hemorrhoids Require Medical Intervention Oct 1st, 2020

If you have hemorrhoids, you’re not likely shouting it from the rooftops. You’re probably discreetly clearing your local drugstore’s shelves of home remedies and short-term solutions, hoping your little problem will resolve itself quietly.  But for 1 in 20 American adults, hemorrhoids are far from a little problem. They have...

When Should I Schedule My First Colonoscopy? Sep 1st, 2020

The doctor’s office is a great place to be honest about your health and get expert advice on how to treat what ails you. It’s also a place where you have to go through some less-than-comfortable experiences like colonoscopies in the name of health.  At Northside Gastroenterology Associates, Dr. Ayub...

Are Your Digestion Troubles Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Feb 1st, 2020

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive issue that can affect anyone of any age. Twice as many women as men get IBS, and estimates suggest between 25 million and 45 million people in the United States alone are affected. There’s no precise cause behind IBS, and only a few...