In March, 2011, the FDA provided good news for millions of Americans. After reviewing data from years of trials, the agency approved marketing of the InterStim® Therapy System, a surgically implanted device used to help a patient reduce the number of bowel accidents. It’s not something that people like to talk about, even though an...Read More

Nearly 1 million new cases of gallbladder and gallstone disease are diagnosed every year in the U.S. Yet most of us don’t even know why the little pear-shaped organ is there. Most people don’t give a thought to their gallbladder until it “attacks” them. A typical gallbladder attack might come shortly after a fatty meal,...Read More

Over the last decade, a new tool has revolutionized the way in which gastrointestinal diseases —particularly tumors — are diagnosed and managed. At Premier Medical Group, we have that tool, and the expert to use it. We’re all familiar with ultrasound. That’s the technology that uses high-frequency sound waves to image and examine internal organs and structures....Read More

Once available only in academic centers, endoscopic ultrasound has become an essential tool for any good GI practice. Endoscopic ultrasound is a procedure in which gastroenterologists use a specialized scope with an ultrasound camera installed at its tip. The procedure was developed in the 1980s, specifically for the detection of pancreatic cancer. Physicians needed to...Read More

A group of poorly digested carbohydrates (FODMAPs) could well be responsible for triggering the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The poorly absorbed large molecules of these foods make their way to the colon, where the action of bacteria cause them to ferment, resulting in bouts of gas, bloating and bowel problems. A number of studies...Read More

Having an in-house pathology lab guarantees that Premier’s labwork is done promptly and efficiently—with two pathologists reviewing every “positive” specimen— so our patients won’t have to endure anxious waits to learn about the next step in their treatment. What is the major benefit of having a dedicated “in-house” pathology department? On this question, the physicians...Read More