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.

Ghassan Al-sabbagh: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention of Gallstones

Ghassan Al-sabbagh is a hepatologist and gastroenterologist from North Carolina. Ghassan Al-Sabbagh MD received higher education in biliary disease from 1998 to 1999. Biliary disease is defined as “any pathology affecting the gallbladder and its conduits”.

 A common condition of the gallbladder is gallstones lurking inside one’s gallbladder, which are hard deposits. A gallbladder is a small organ that is responsible for storing bile, a digestive fluid made in the liver. Some people have asymptomatic gallstones, meaning they have no symptoms at all. However, the symptoms may be: pain in the abdomen, fever, nausea, vomiting, clay colored stools or a yellowish tint in skin or eyes, indicating jaundice.

Several procedures of different types are performed for the diagnosis of gallstones. The tests include:

Abdominal CT scan

This is an imaging test taking pictures of one’s abdominal region and liver.

Ultrasound

This can be done to produce images of the abdomen. It is a preferred method to confirm the gallstone disease.

Gallbladder Radionuclide scan

This is a scan, in which a specialist injects into veins, a radioactive substance; and this scan takes around one hour to complete. This substance travels through blood to liver and gallbladder and highlights blockages or infections.

Blood tests

Blood tests can be done to measure bilirubin in the blood and to determine the functioning of the liver.

There are various treatment options used for the removal of stones or improvement in condition, which are:

Medications

Drugs can be prescribed to dissolve cholesterol-caused gallstones. However, medications can take a lot of time or years in the elimination of gallstones.

Surgery

It is the first option considered by a doctor. A common surgery known as laparoscopic gallbladder removal may be performed. It is a procedure in which a surgeon inserts a small lighted device by making incisions in the abdomen, in order to remove the gallbladder.

Ghassan Al-sabbagh Md stresses that a gallstone cannot be prevented, however the risk of having one can be reduced by eating a balanced diet, drinking lots of water every day in order to keep the body hydrated, and not skipping any meals. Rapid weight-loss can also increase the risk of gallstones, therefore, one should try to lose weight slowly and gradually.

Read more about Dr Ghassan Al-Sabbagh Md at here: http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Ghassan_Al-Sabbagh.html

Ghassan Al-Sabbagh: Surprising Causes of Acid Reflux

Ghassan Al-Sabbagh, an experienced physician who runs a private practice in Wake Forest, NC, has helped thousands of patients in his career. A specialist in gastroenterology and hepatology, one of the common ailments he’s treated is acid reflux. While it’s easy to think that acid reflux is an easy problem to spot and treat, it’s symptoms can be less than obvious in many instances.

Acid reflux, or heartburn, can cause Barrett’s esophagus if left untreated, which is a forerunner to esophageal cancer. The following are some symptoms of acid reflux you need to watch out for.

Chest pain

Chest pain occurs when stomach acid reaches the esophagus, which is a classic symptom of acid reflux. Sometimes, however, the pain can carry on longer and become more intense. Chest pain, regardless of intensity, shouldn’t be ignored, especially if it gets worse with physical activity.

Nausea

It’s hard to associate nausea with acid reflux, but it is an unusual symptom of the condition. If nausea tends to start after meals, it’s an indication that acid reflux might be the cause. Antacid medication can be the solution to ease the discomfort.

Hoarse voice

You might think a cracking voice is the result of a cold you feel coming on, but stomach acid leaking into the esophagus can also be a reason. When your voice gets gruff, especially after eating, it could be reflux. 

Difficulty in swallowing

With time, the damage caused by acid reflux scars the esophageal tissue, which in turn swells and makes it difficult to eat.

Ghassan Al-Sabbagh MD runs a GI practice with offices in Wake Forest, Raleigh, Knightdale and Louisburg in North Carolina.

Ghassan Al-sabbagh MD: What Is Crohn’s Disease?

Dr. Ghassan Al-sabbagh states that the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease can vary, from mild to severe. Furthermore, in some cases, only certain parts of the body are affected, from the small intestine to the colon. Moreover, the signs and symptoms of this disease usually develop slowly over time, however, there are some cases where they come on suddenly without warning. In other cases, there will be periods of time when the person with Crohn’s disease will have no sign or symptoms, called remission.

There are many signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease, including:

1. Fever and fatigue that is most likely caused by inflammation or infection.
2. Diarrhea is a common problem that is accompanied by intense intestinal cramps, which lead to loose stools.
3. Abdominal pain and cramping that is due to inflammation or ulceration, which can impact the digestive tract, from slight discomfort to severe pain that comes with nausea or vomiting.
4. Mouth sores or ulcers that are similar to canker sores.
5. Blood in stool that is bright red or a darker blood that is mixed in with the stool.
6. Weight loss and reduced appetite can be caused by the abdominal pain or cramping, affecting your ability to absorb and digest food.
7. Perianal disease that causes pain or drainage around the anus from the inflammation.

Ghassan Al-sabbagh MD suggests you consult a doctor when you have changes in your bowel habits or you notice any of the signs and symptoms listed above.

Recommended Read: Ghassan Al-Sabbagh MD: The Less Known Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease

Ghassan Al-sabbagh On Upper Endoscopy Procedure

Medically speaking, Ghassan Al-sabbagh can attest to the need for procedures such as the endoscopy. As with many other medical procedures, there is not a lot of information known by people who have not dealt directly with conditions that require it. Making sure that medical understanding of such procedures becomes common knowledge is something that must be a priority. The continuing of ignorance for such medical practices is something that should no longer be common. The procedure itself is quite easy, and can be performed on almost anyone.

An endoscopy is quite similar to a colonoscopy, in that it involves investigating internal issues. As with a colonoscopy, a long and thin tube with a camera is inserted into the patient. This procedure is used to find causes of such problems like digestive issues, vomiting, heart burn, bleeding, and swallowing problems. Ulcers, inflammation, and tumors can also be detected with this method. The areas investigated are typically the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine. This type of procedure is quite useful for internal investigation in that it is more accurate than an x-ray.

These types of internal procedures provide medical professionals, like Ghassan Al-sabbagh Md, a way to ensure the accuracy of the examination. Internal problems are a concern that should not be taken lightly, and having a way to identify them is a necessity. This enforces the idea that any stigma associated with this should disperse. With the expansion of medical efforts, this type of knowledge could someday be a part of the average person’s understanding.