Ghassan Al-Sabbagh: Health Risks Commonly Associated with Obesity

Ghassan Al-Sabbagh is a seasoned gastroenterologist who has practiced medicine for more than 30 years. A dedicated specialist who oversees his own GI practice, Ghassan Al-Sabbagh has enjoyed the opportunity to diagnose and provide treatment to thousands of patients, and remains as committed as ever to providing everyone in his care the attention and treatment they need to live happy, healthy lives. 

As a gastroenterologist, Ghassan Al-Sabbagh is knowledgeable in numerous GI symptoms and conditions. He is also well-versed in the common causes and health dangers associated with obesity, a condition which adversely affects the health of millions of Americans every year.

Some of the more common health risks tied to obesity include:

--high cholesterol, known in the medical community as hypercholesterolemia.

--an increased probability of stroke, known as cerebrovascular accident (CVA).

--hypertension, or high blood pressure.

--a greater chance of heart disease.

--a greater chance of congestive heart failure.

--type 2 diabetes (adult-onset), the risk of which increases with the duration and degree of obesity within the individual patient.

--a stronger resistance to insulin, which can result in type 2 diabetes.

--a greater risk of certain types of cancer, including an increased probability of rectal and prostate cancer in men, colon cancer in men and women, and gallbladder and uterine cancer in women.

Obesity is proven to pose a considerable risk to one’s health. Consulting with a physician like Ghassan Al-Sabbagh may help you determine how best to cope with, treat and/or mitigate the condition and any associated health risks.

PLEASE NOTE: The above is not intended as a replacement for professional medical treatment, diagnosis or advice. Should you ever have a question regarding a particularly medical condition, please consult your physician or professional healthcare provider.

Ghassan Al-Sabbagh, MD: How Is Acid Reflux Commonly Diagnosed?

Ghassan Al-Sabbagh, MD, is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal conditions. A longtime specialist in gastroenterology, Dr. Ghassan Al-Sabbagh, MD has provided thousands of patients the expert care and treatment options needed to more effectively with cope with and overcome the challenges presented by their GI issues.

An expert in the many diseases and conditions affecting the GI tract, Ghassan Al-Sabbagh, MD, knows well the condition of acid reflux, a common GI ailment which affects millions each and every year. Identifying the presence of acid reflux, or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), is usually done one of several ways, including:

An Upper Endoscopy

Perhaps one of the more common diagnostic methods, the upper endoscopy involves the insertion of a flexible tube down the patient’s throat. Equipped with a small camera and light, the tube is positioned to provide a close examination of the patient’s stomach and esophagus, and to detect the presence of inflammation or other complications within the esophagus.

An Esophageal Manometry

The esophageal manometry test involves taking a measurement of the muscle contractions that occur in the patient’s esophagus when they swallow. Muscle coordination and force exerted by these muscles are also measured during this process.

An Ambulatory Acid Probe

The ambulatory acid (pH) probe test relies on a monitor, which is connected to a small computer generally worn around the patient’s waist. This monitor, when placed within the patient’s esophagus, is utilized to identify when stomach acid appears in the esophageal area, as well as to measure how long it stays there. 

X-ray

A physician may sometimes recommend an X-ray of the patient’s upper digestive system; one that is taken after the patient consumes a chalky liquid designed to coat the lining of their digestive tract.

Ghassan Al-Sabbagh, MD, works to diagnose and treat the presence of GERD as quickly and safely as possible.

PLEASE NOTE: The above is not intended as a replacement for professional medical treatment, diagnosis or advice. Should you ever have a question regarding a particularly medical condition, please consult your physician or professional healthcare provider.

Ghassan Al-Sabbagh, MD: Potential Acid Reflux Causes

Ghassan Al-Sabbagh MD, is a successful North Carolina physician with an excellent reputation for his knowledge in gastroenterology and hepatology. He has over thirty years of experience and has seen thousands of patients with acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

Though countless patients suffer from acid reflux disease, doctors like Ghassan Al-Sabbagh, MD, aren’t always sure what the cause is. The disease can be caused by a variety of factors, such as those touched on below: 

 Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia is a stomach abnormality that surfaces when the LES, or lower esophageal sphincter, and the upper part of the stomach move higher than the diaphragm. The diaphragm separates your chest from your stomach and normally helps prevent stomach acid from rising to the esophagus. A hiatal hernia makes it easier for the acid to rise. 

 
 Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of cancer in the esophagus and can contribute to acid reflux disease by reducing the function of the LES muscle. It can also cause acid reflux disease by increasing acid secretion, reducing salivation, impairing throat muscle reflexes and damaging mucus membranes. 

Pregnancy

Many women, especially those who have not had children, experience acid reflux when they become pregnant. Most prevalent during the third trimester, pregnancy-related acid reflux can be caused by the pressures of the growing fetus and the increase in hormone levels. 

Common Foods

Certain foods cause acid reflux more than others. These common foods include coffee, tea, alcohol, chocolate, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, garlic, onions, foods containing tomato, fatty foods, fried foods, mint and citrus fruits. 

NOTE: The above information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Seek the in-person advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider like GhassanAl-Sabbagh MD, with any questions regarding a medical condition. 

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Ghassan Al-Sabbagh, MD: What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ghassan Al-Sabbagh, MD, received his Doctorate of Medicine degree in 1983 from Damascus University School of Medicine. He later came to the United States to further his education and become a specialist in gastroenterology and hepatology, and he has helped thousands from his North Carolina private practice. Ulcerative Colitis is among the many conditions that he has diagnosed and treated.

Ulcerative colitis is found in the lining of the large intestine. This chronic disease occurs when the lining becomes inflamed and develops ulcers that can produce mucous and pus. The ulceration and inflammation can result in abdominal pain and frequent bowel movements. With a skilled physician like Ghassan Al-Sabbagh, MD, though, you can understand this disease and manage your symptoms, allowing you to live a full life.

The inflammation and ulcerations are caused by an abnormal immune system response. The immune system mistakes materials like food and bacteria for foreign bodies, sending white blood cells to the large intestine lining. 

Unlike Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis affects only the lining of the colon. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Symptoms include more urgent bowel movements, persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, abdominal cramps and bloody stool. 

If you are suffering from ulcerative colitis, you might experience a lack of appetite and unexplained weight loss, accompanied by a feeling of fatigue and low energy. Symptoms can come and go, with distress-free periods lasting months or even years between flare-ups. Unfortunately, symptoms do return in time. This makes evaluation of certain treatments difficult for even the best physicians.  

NOTE: The above information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Seek the in-person advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider like GhassanAl-Sabbagh, MD, with any questions regarding a medical condition. 

Visit here to know more about Dr Ghassan Al-Sabbagh MD: https://www.sharecare.com/doctor/dr-ghassan-al-sabbagh

Ghassan Al-Sabbagh MD: Medical School: What to Expect

Ghassan Al-Sabbagh MD received his Doctorate of Medicine from Damascus University School of Medicine in Syria. Like all medical students, he spent years in school and underwent a rigorous residency program before becoming a doctor. If you are considering becoming a doctor, here is what you can expect after enrolling in medical school.

It will take you four years to complete your education, plus you'll need to spend another three to seven years in a residency program. The first two years of your education you will spend in the classroom and participate in labs. You'll have to take basic science classes, including pathology, anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. This is also the time you will learn how to interview and examine patients. During the first two years, you’ll also take between four and five courses that various in disciplines. By the end of the second year, you’ll be ready to take the first step of the USMLE.

The third and fourth years of medical school you will gain clinical experience. This is the time you will do rotations at hospitals and clinics that are affiliated with your school. You will be required to spend time assisting the residents. The residents you work with will depend on which specialty you've chosen to study. At the end of the fourth year, you'll need to take and pass, the second step of the USMLE.

After getting through the four years of medical school, you’ll earn you’ll Doctorate of Medicine degree. You will still need to pass the board exam and spend time completing your residency program. Ghassan Al-Sabbagh  has been a practicing doctor for more than thirty years, opening a gastroenterology private practice in Raleigh, North Carolina.