July 2024

Find Relief for Chronic Constipation

If you’re chronically constipated (stools are hard and difficult-to-pass for several months or more), something is interfering with your digestion. Possible causes include:

• Not enough fiber, fluids, or exercise
• Blockage
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Weak pelvic muscles
• Chronic dehydration
• Certain medications
• Pregnancy

While stool softeners and fiber supplements can provide temporary relief, they aren’t a long-term solution. Repeated straining can cause hemorrhoids. And long-term, extreme straining can even force part of your rectum to bulge out, a condition called prolapse. If you’re experiencing either, or if you see blood in your stool (or toilet paper), unexplained weight loss, or stomach pain, it’s time to see your gastroenterologist. We’ll help you find the solution that’s best for you. Request an appointment with Cincinnati GI here.

While constipation is common, chronic constipation isn’t normal. Learn more about causes, symptoms, and treatment options for constipation.

Is Your Daily Grub Causing You Grief?

Okay, class. Put on your thinking caps and see if you can answer the following questions:

• What do tomatoes, peppermint, chocolate, pineapple, French fries, and red hot chili peppers (the food, not the band) have in common?
• What do cucumbers, oatmeal, bananas, cauliflower, green veggies, and nuts have in common?

The first list represents known triggers for acid reflux. The second list can calm acid reflux.

While you probably know that occasional acid reflux is common, did you know that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can lead to cancer? Severe GERD can result in Barrett’s esophagus, which can be a precursor to esophageal cancer.

Don’t take acid reflux lightly. Instead, find out what you can do to manage – and prevent – acid reflux.

Meet Our Newest Providers

		Dr. Lambros Michailidis After completing his training at the University of Kentucky and four years at Murray-Calloway County Hospital in Kentucky, Dr. Lambros Michailidis has happily crossed the river and joins our team in Anderson. Fluent in English and Spanish, Dr. Lambros prioritizes patient communication. He welcomes his patients’ questions about their plan of care and dedicates time to explaining the plan and ensuring there are no concerns. “I make a point to discuss the results of procedures with patients in-person and plan the next steps,” he says. We are excited to have him here at Cincinnati GI. Welcome, Dr. Lambros!
		Kristy Johnson, NP-C Welcome, also, to Kristy Johnson, NP-C, who joins our Anderson and Norwood locations after seven years as a nurse practitioner in South Carolina. She’s a University of Cincinnati grad (both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing-AGACNP), so she’s no stranger to the area. She also worked as an RN at The Christ Hospital before heading to South Carolina. We’re glad she came back to Ohio. Welcome to the Cincinnati GI team, Kristy!

Learn more about Dr. Lambros and Kristy on our CGI providers page.