Dr. Joseph Amato, MD

IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, happens when the muscles surrounding the colon contract too easily or frequently. The result is abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating. IBS attacks can often be brought on by specific triggers, so a key part of treatment is learning which foods trigger IBS attacks and avoiding them. Treatment also includes exercise, avoiding stress, and medications if needed.

Constipation, or large, hard, or infrequent stools, happens to everyone at some point. It can be caused by a disruption in routine or food, or by eating a diet without many fresh fruits and vegetables. Although it is uncomfortable, constipation is common and usually not serious, but it can sometimes become chronic. Adding fiber to the diet, exercising, and taking medications may help.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a severe form of chronic heartburn where stomach acid spills back up into the esophagus. Left untreated, the acid may even eat away at the esophagus and cause serious damage. Treatment includes changing the diet to avoid trigger foods, losing weight if needed, medications, or even surgery.

Hemorrhoids are blood vessels around the rectum that become irritated, swollen or torn while straining during a bowel movement. They are most often caused by constipation, but can also be caused by pregnancy, diarrhea, or simply a genetic predisposition towards hemorrhoids. Treatment involves first treating any constipation issues, then keeping the area clean and soothed until it has healed. If these measures are ineffective, surgery is sometimes used.

Peptic ulcers are sores or spots of inflammation in the lining of the stomach or close to the stomach in the small intestine. Usually this area is coated with a protective lining that shields the tissue from the strong stomach acid, but a break in the lining can let acid in, causing the sores. It used to be thought that stress caused ulcers, but now it is known that is not the case. Most often, they are caused by an infection by H. pylori bacteria, but ulcers can also be caused by alcohol abuse or overuse of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDS. The symptoms of an ulcer are pain, hunger, nausea, and fatigue.

Gastrointestinal problems, perhaps more than any other area, are markedly affected by lifestyle. Many disorders can be prevented or treated at least in part by eating a healthy diet high in fiber, exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and limiting alcohol intake. Still, the frequency of digestive disorders means that even the healthiest person can be affected by them. Anyone who notices blood in their stool, experiences abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or any significant change in bowel movements should see a doctor.

Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.

Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.

Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.

Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.

Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.

Professional cosmetic skin treatments exist to treat wrinkles, scars, dark spots, remove excess hair, tone and tighten skin, and otherwise improve the appearance of the skin. They may use lasers, light therapy, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or many other forms of skin treatment.

Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, most commonly on the face or back. The clogged follicles can then become infected and inflamed. Treatments include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and retinoid creams.

Eczema is dry, sensitive skin that causes an itchy red rash, often in response to specific triggers. It is common in childhood but can sometimes last into adulthood. The main treatment involves keeping skin well moisturized.

Dermatitis is the medical name for any kind of skin inflammation or rash. Rashes can happen because of an allergy or contact with an irritating substance. They may be red, itchy, or even painful. They are often treated with antihistamines or moisturizing creams containing cortisone.

Psoriasis is patches of thick, red skin that is covered in silvery scales. It is often itchy and sore. Psoriasis is thought to be caused by an immune disorder, and it runs in families. Psoriasis is not contagious. There is no cure, but there are medicated creams available to treat the symptoms.

Skin growths, including warts and moles, are usually not serious. However, some skin growths should be examined by a doctor to make sure they don't cause problems in the future. Warts are harmless, rough, bumpy growths caused by a viral infection. They occur most often on the hands and feet. Because they are caused by a virus, they are contagious. Moles are brown or black spots that are sometimes raised slightly from the surface of the skin. They happen when clumps of pigment cells form in a cluster instead of spread out. Moles are harmless except that they are more vulnerable to cancer than other parts of the skin. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and its risk increases with sun exposure and fair skin tone.

Skin issues can be embarrassing or irritating, but most are minor and can be treated without serious problems. Some, however, can be a sign of a more significant issue, so it is important to see a doctor for anything out of the ordinary.