Hill Country Digestive Health

04/19/2024

April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness month! During this time, we join our patients and their family members + caregivers to increase public awareness about IBS.

04/18/2024

On 4/16/2019, Dr. Rensch began performing procedures at the Surgery Center of Boerne. Since then, Dr. Rensch has performed 7,950 procedures at the surgery center! On Tuesday, Dr. Rensch was honored for the many procedures he has performed to serve the community's GI health needs. Congratulations Dr. Rensch!

01/24/2024

In continuing our series about esophageal dilation, below is some information about the before, during, and after details of the procedure.

BEFORE: No eating/drinking before the procedure, your physician will tell you how many hours to fast before the procedure. Tell your doctor about any medical conditions, allergies, and current medications (especially any blood thinners) + other supplements you're taking. Your physician may need to modify the medications and/or dosages prior to the procedure. Prepare to have transportation after your procedure from a family member or friend to make sure you get home safely, if you will be given a sedative. Lastly, always make sure to ask questions to understand the risks and benefits of the procedure.

DURING: This procedure takes about 15-30 minutes. You may be given a local anesthetic spray to numb your throat and/or you may be given a sedative. An endoscope, which is a thin tube with a light and camera on the end will be guided through your mouth to your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Next, tiny tools are used to widen the stricture and then are removed. The instruments used to widen the stricture can vary based on size and cause of the stricture. You might experience mild pressure during the procedure. Xrays may also be used during the procedure to visualize the esophagus and ensure there has been enough widening.

AFTER: You may be observed for a short amount of time and then allowed to return to your normal day-to-day activities. You may experience a mild sore throat, which you can use an OTC throat numbing spray or warm salt water gargle to help. Your doctor will advise you on when you can return to eating and drinking. If you received sedatives, you will not be allowed to drive home independently. Your doctor will advise you on your current and any new medications. Follow up care is a crucial part of your treatment and safety. Contact your physician if you notice any new symptoms or call 911 in the case you experience trouble breathing, bloody stools, and/or loss of conciousness.

01/10/2024

Did you know Dr. Michael Rensch is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with a subspeciality Gastroenterology? In 2021, Dr. Rensch was 1 of only 1,109 physicians in the state of Texas with a subspeciality board certification in Gastroenterology. This notable certification requires life long learning and examinations to maintain competency that not all doctors attain. This credential not only requires physicians to emphasize ongoing learning, stay current with medical advances and research, and exceeeds state licensure requirements, it also allows patients to have peace of mind knowing they can rely their physician for competency and knowledge with their specific medical needs. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Rensch today!

01/03/2024

Hill Country Digestive Health offers many different types of care for your gastrointestinal health. One type of procedure performed is called "Esophageal Dilation".

What is it?: A procedure done to dilate or "stretch" a narrowed portion of the esophagus.

Why is it done?: The most common reason to have this procedure done is from an esophageal stricture, a narrowing of the esophagus, which can cause foods to feel "stuck" when swallowing and/or discomfort/pain. Other reasons for this proecdure can include: achalasia, peptic stricture, Schatzki's ring, or radiation treatment from cancer.

What are potential complications?: When performed by a trained specialist, complications are rare, but can occur. A perforation or tear esophagus leading to bleeding and potential surgery, infection, and side effects from anesthesia are all potential complications that may occur. It's important to identify side effects early on. If you have chest pain, fever, difficulty breathing, trouble swallowing, bleeding or black bowel movements, or bloody emesis, call your healthcare provider or 911 right away.

Do you have to follow-up?: Some patients may need this procedure more than once, in fact, it is quite common. This depends on the cause and extent of the narrowing of the esophagus. Repeat procedures allow the dilation to be performed more gradually and slowly, decreasing the risk of complications. Once the narrowed portion is dilated completely, repeat procedures may not be necessary. If the stricture was due to reflux, acid reducing or suppressing medications can decrease the risk of the stricture returning. Patients need to consult their doctors personally on next steps for their particular case.

STAY TUNED LATER THIS MONTH TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SPECIFICS OF THE BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER OF ESOPHAGEAL DILATION!!

12/19/2023

With the Holidays just around the corner, we wanted to provide everyone our holiday hours🎄☃️:

Friday 12/22: Open from 9:00am-3:00pm
Closed Christmas Eve 12/24 and Christmas Day 12/25
Tuesday 12/26: Open from 10:00am-3:00pm
Monday 1/1 (New Year's Day): Closed

In the case of a medical emergency, please call 911.

12/12/2023

December is Constipation Awareness Month! We want to bring awareness to this condition as it often remains silent due to social stigma. Chronic constipation affects upwards of 20% of the US population. Many factors can contribute to constipation such as: low fiber, caffeine abuse, alcohol overuse, certain medications, endorcrine disorders, neurologic diseases, and psychological issues. Here are some tips below to help if you experience constipation:

1. Increase water intake
2. Reduce dairy
3. Eat a diet rich in fiber
4. Don't ignore the urge to have a bowel movement
5. Stay active and engage in physical exercise
6. Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine
7. Establish a regular bathroom routine

Please drop us a comment if you have any questions!

12/05/2023

December 1-7 is Crohn's and Colitis Awareness week! Crohn's and Colitis differ in that they affect different parts of the gastrointestinal tract, however, both disorders are classifed as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and affect an estimated 1.6 million Americans. Symptoms can include persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, re**al bleeding, anemia, weight loss, suddden urges to have a bowel movement, and fatigue.

If you have concerns regarding recurring GI or abdonimal issues, please schedule an appointment with us!

12/05/2023

The new year is coming up soon! Now is a great time to start thinking about health coverage for 2024. Visit healthcare.gov to browse plans, estimate prices, and enroll in a health plan by December 15 to ensure coverage that starts January 1, 2024.

https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/ #/

Get health plans and price quotes for your area. See Obamacare health insurance coverage options to save on premiums.

11/29/2023

As November, a month known for the pleasure of eating, comes to an end, we want to acknowledge and bring awareness to Gastric/Stomach Cancer. Below are some facts about this type of cancer:

1. Stomach cancer is the 15th most prevalent cancer in the US in 2023. New cases in 2023 are estimated at 26,500.

2. Stomach cancer is diagnosed most commonly between the ages of 65-74.

3. The wall of the stomach is made up of 3 layers: the mucosal (innermost), muscularis, and serosal (outermost) layers. Nearly all gastic cancer begins in the cells lining the mucosal layer and then begins to spread to the outer layers over time.

4. The risk of develping gastric cancer is higher for men than women. Other risk factors include: increased alcohol use, poor diet, to***co use, family history of stomach cancer, stomach polyps, previous stomach surgeries, Menetrier disease, certain inhereted cancer/genetic syndromes, older age, H. pylori infection, and certain environmental or occupational exposures.

5. Research indicates rates for stomach cancer have declined in the last 10 years.

Please drop a comment on this post for any questions!





Links:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/stomach-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/stomach.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/stomach-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stomach-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352438

11/20/2023

Thanksgiving week (Nov. 19-25) is GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) awareness week! GERD is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases and it's thought that roughly 20% of the US population has GERD (https://gi.org/topics/acid-reflux/). See the graphic below to discover more detailed information about GERD.




Poster: https://ecan.org/gerd-awareness-week-2/

10/17/2023

Office appointments and procedure slots are filling up for the end of the year. Make sure to call our office to schedule your appointment before the end of the year!