If you have hepatitis C and you want to know if it can be cured, the short answer is yes. However, it has to begin with a visit to a gastroenterology professional who makes a proper diagnosis and then gets you on the right drug regimen. As experts write, “Revolutionary new medicines are making treatment for hepatitis C easier, faster, and more effective. Now, most people with hepatitis C on the treatments can be completely free of the virus in a matter of months.”

What happens if you don’t visit gastroenterology to get fully diagnosed or treated? It helps to know more about hepatitis C. It is often described as a silent epidemic because so many people have it and are totally unaware that they have been exposed to the virus. It can lead to severe liver problems, including liver failure. It has also shown links to the development of liver cancer. In fact, it is often a condition without symptoms until it has worsened to a far more serious degree.

For a long time, gastroenterology professionals and other medical experts were unaware as to the best treatment, or any treatment at all. Today, patients are usually diagnosed and placed on direct acting antiviral medications. These target the virus and suppress it to such a degree that the virus eventually dies out. The treatment is taken orally as a pill rather than an injectable medication. And they are effective in around 90% of the patients who are diagnosed and require care. There are some who have a more difficult to treat variation, yet even they can be effectively treated and cured.

However, it is very important to keep in mind that while your hepatitis C infection may be cured, there could be problems caused by the untreated condition. Those who were infected for longer periods of time without symptoms or treatment may struggle with liver or kidney issues caused by the virus. This is why it is so important to work with a gastroenterology specialist who can help you address everything that your hepatitis C infection might have caused.

Treatment varies from patient to patient in terms of the amount of time and the number of medications needed. Ultimately, your first step is to find your specialist in the Jacksonville, FL area. Digestive Disease Consultants in Jacksonville is an ideal solution and can help you get on the path to a cure for your hepatitis C condition.

We’ve all experienced it from time to time. We’re talking about digestive issues. From bloating to gas to constipation to diarrhea; whenever it hits, it’s certainly no fun. But how can you be sure that it’s just temporary and not something more chronic like IBS? Keep reading to find out.

What is IBS?

First of all, you may be wondering exactly what IBS is. IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome. This aptly named condition is a digestive disorder that entails a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms range from abdominal pain to alternating constipation or diarrhea. It’s a common condition that affects people from every walk of life. However, the majority of people with IBS are women in their thirties and up.

IBS Symptoms in Jacksonville

Having IBS symptoms in Jacksonville can be extremely uncomfortable, especially when you want to wear your favorite outfit but it just won’t fit! Fortunately, if you know the triggers, you may be able to avoid the discomfort of a full-blown episode of IBS. ‘Triggers’ are another way of describing something that may cause or ‘trigger’ your symptoms. Read on to find out what some of these triggers may be.

Stomach Bug

Be careful of that stomach flu that may be going around your office or school. Exposure to the virus has been known to result in stomach troubles that last long after your illness. Experts are unsure of the cause, but some researchers suspect that the virus may cause permanent damage to the nerves of the bowel. Others hypothesize, alternatively, that it disrupts the normal healthy bacteria found in the gut.

Unbalanced Diet

It’s true what your mother told you – eat your vegetables! People who eat an improperly balanced diet that is low in fiber are more likely to experience irregular bowel movements that may lead to IBS.

Food Intolerance

Sugar may not be so sweet when it comes to IBS! Many people found their IBS brought on by eating a variety of sugars. This includes the well-known sugar, lactose, that is found in milk and other dairy products. It also includes fructose frequently found in fruit among other less common types of sugar.

At Digestive Disease Consultant, we focus on providing our patients up-to-date medical advice and care that reflect the latest scientific advances. We have years of experience treating IBS symptoms in Jacksonville and the surrounding area. Our compassionate and highly qualified team of practitioners are ready to partner with you to take control of your digestive health.