Blog Archive

Have you ever finished a meal only to be met with that all-too-familiar burning sensation in your chest? You could be among the one-fifth of US adults with gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD.  GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the ring of...

We’ve all experienced strange or uncomfortable sensations in our stomachs. Most of the time, these gut grumblings aren’t cause for concern.  However, if you’re experiencing persistent or severe abdominal pain, it shouldn’t be dismissed. In this case, it’s important to seek care from a GI specialist—especially if over-the-counter remedies aren’t...

If you have hemorrhoids, you know this condition isn’t just uncomfortable physically—it’s also uncomfortable to talk about. But there’s no reason to be embarrassed about your hemorrhoids, and talking about the condition to your provider can help relieve your symptoms. It’s important to know that not all hemorrhoids are the...

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, you might be overwhelmed by the changes to your diet and lifestyle. Cutting any ingredient out of your diet is difficult, and understanding where to start can be tricky.  At the Rivas Digestive Center in Hollywood, Florida, board-certified gastroenterologist John M. Rivas,...

It may be December, but here in Florida, the sun is never far away.  If your skin seems more sensitive to the sun than normal, or if you come home after a day outdoors with abdominal discomfort, you could have a condition called porphyria.  Board-certified gastroenterologist John Rivas, MD, is...

Wondering how to get ready for your upcoming colonoscopy? Preparing for this crucial screening test is easier than you think.  A colonoscopy is a simple, straightforward, and virtually pain-free procedure that plays an invaluable role in detecting colon cancer early when it’s most treatable. Yet many people worry about this...

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the US, but diagnosis rates have dropped over the past decades. This is because more people are getting screened to detect colon cancer when it’s most treatable. And, a simple colonoscopy helps prevent cancer from starting. At Rivas Digestive Center in...

If you're dealing with ongoing abdominal pain, you may be wondering whether food sensitivities are the culprit. While food sensitivities aren’t life-threatening, that doesn’t mean they can’t seriously disrupt our life. At the Rivas Digestive Center in Hollywood, Florida, our board-certified gastroenterologist John M. Rivas, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating various digestive issues,...

From the team at the Rivas Digestive Center in Hollywood, Florida, congratulations on your pregnancy! We know that while pregnancy is a beautiful experience, it can also bring uncomfortable physical challenges—including hemorrhoids.  Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your anus and rectum that can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, like pain, itching,...

Summer is the perfect time for traveling, exploring new destinations, and creating memories. But if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), even the mere thought of traveling can bring you anxiety and worry.  The change in routine, unfamiliar foods, and different environments can trigger IBS symptoms and interfere with your...

As a parent, there’s nothing more important to you than your child’s health and wellbeing. Since our gut microbiome houses over 70% of our immune systems, paying attention to your child’s gut health is key. When gut health suffers, so does overall health.    Board-certified gastroenterologist John M. Rivas, MD, and...

When it comes to managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), paying attention to your diet plays a central role. But IBS is a complex condition, and symptoms are affected by many factors, including stress and anxiety.  There’s no known cure for IBS—yet. But because physical activity and exercise have a minimizing effect on...

If you’ve been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, you understand the impact this chronic, inflammatory bowel condition has on your day-to-day existence and quality of life. This autoimmune condition can be unpredictable, leaving you feeling normal one day and exhausted from symptoms the next. The signs and symptoms of Crohn’s vary...

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects about 1% of people. When someone with celiac disease consumes gluten, a protein found in rye, barley, and wheat, their body responds by damaging the lining of the small intestine.  This prevents the lining from absorbing some nutrients and can cause different...

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects your colon and rectum. The condition is chronic, and can trigger painful and frustrating symptoms that affect your quality of life. At the Rivas Digestive Center in Hollywood, Florida, board-certified gastroenterologist, John M. Rivas, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating this...

Did you know colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer in America? This slow-growing disease starts as non-cancerous growths in the colon called polyps. Over time, they develop into cancer.  Certain risk factors increase your chances of getting this colon cancer, which is the second leading cause...

Did you know about three-quarters of American adults experience hemorrhoids at some point? Hemorrhoids develop when a vein in the anal canal or on the anus swells.  You can develop internal or external hemorrhoids. While both may cause uncomfortable symptoms, external hemorrhoids are usually more uncomfortable than internal ones. Some...

Millions of Americans struggle with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This chronic digestive disorder comes in different forms, including IBS with constipation, IBS with diarrhea, and mixed-type IBS (equal episodes of constipation and diarrhea).  Regardless of which type of IBS you have, the condition can cause painful and unpleasant symptoms that interfere with...

Hepatitis A is a condition caused by a virus (hepatitis A virus, or HAV) that triggers inflammation of the liver, making it difficult for your liver to function the way it’s supposed to. Since the development of a vaccine in the 1990s, there have been relatively few cases of hepatitis A...

Occasional heartburn isn’t cause for concern, but if you’re among over one-third of US adults experiencing this symptom of acid reflux every week, it’s time to seek medical help. This is because chronic heartburn could signal a serious underlying condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  Triple board-certified gastroenterologist John M....

Everyone gets stomach pain from time to time. In most cases, abdominal pain isn’t serious and can be eased by resting, going to the bathroom, avoiding foods that bother your tummy, and other common at-home therapies.  But in some cases, abdominal pain signals a more significant problem. At Rivas Digestive Center in...

Even if you don’t have celiac disease, chances are you’ve read or heard about this autoimmune disease from friends, on the internet or television, or in a periodical. While awareness of celiac has increased in recent years, so, too, have many myths and misconceptions. Triple board-certified gastroenterologist John M. Rivas,...

Getting a little heartburn or acid reflux after a meal once in a while probably isn’t anything to worry about. But if you have acid reflux two or more times a week, you could be one of the 20% of Americans with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  This condition develops when the valve (sphincter) that...

Do you have abdominal pain that just won’t quit? Have you noticed changes in your bowel movements, such as frequent constipation or diarrhea? Both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and fibroids cause these symptoms for millions of women.  Although IBS and fibroids share common symptoms, these conditions have different causes. They...

Some people develop pouches in their intestines called diverticula. When these pouches get infected or inflamed, you can develop a painful condition called diverticulitis. This painful condition can be minor, or it can lead to a serious infection or rupture your bowel. Diverticula typically develop after age 40 and don’t...

If you’re hoping to reduce your risk of colon cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in America, you might wonder if a plant-based diet can help. The answer is a resounding yes!  Plant-based diets significantly lower your chances of developing many types of cancer, including colon cancer. At Rivas...

When you experience chest pain, the first thing that comes to mind is a problem with your heart, like a heart attack. But did you know that some gastrointestinal (GI) conditions can cause significant chest pain?      At Rivas Digestive Center in Hollywood, Florida, our board-certified gastroenterologist John M. Rivas, MD,...

Alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the most significant causes of chronic liver disease in the US. The two variations of this disease differ in the reason excess fat accumulates, but both create a serious health condition.      While ALD typically reverses when you stop...

Hepatitis is a serious disease that stops your liver from working the way it should. Because your liver plays an important role in many of your body’s functions, from breaking down the foods and beverages you consume to filtering out toxins to synthesizing proteins, the inflammation of the liver this...

If you’ve been struggling with persistent digestive troubles and think gluten could be the culprit, you’re in good company. About 18 million Americans are sensitive to gluten, and another 3 million have been diagnosed with celiac disease.  If you’re worried about gluten, getting an accurate diagnosis is important for your...

Did you know about 20% of Americans have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? If you’re among them, you know how the burning and discomfort it causes can impact your life. From ruining your meal to keeping you up at night, GERD is a pain. Board-certified gastroenterologist John M. Rivas, MD, and...

Colon cancer screenings play an important role in your overall health, providing your doctor with the ability to stop colorectal cancer from growing. Unfortunately, many Americans don’t get the life-saving screening they need — often because they don’t understand what’s involved. At the Rivas Digestive Center in Hollywood, Florida, our...

If you’re one of the 10-15% of Americans affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the chronic digestive disorder can disrupt your life and make everyday interactions at work, school, or home a challenge. It can cause unpleasant symptoms that occur each week for at least 6 months, including: Abdominal pain...

Every year, over 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer, which forms in the part of your large intestine called the colon. Most people don’t have any noticeable signs or symptoms of the disease until it progresses, when it can cause: Changes in your bowel movements (e.g., diarrhea, constipation, different...

Your liver does more than break down the nutrients in the foods and beverages you ingest. It also filters toxins out of your blood, synthesizes proteins, stores glycogen, vitamins, and minerals, and metabolizes medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements. Hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, impairs your liver’s ability to function....

While everyone experiences some type of abdominal pain at one point or another, persistent or recurrent abdominal pain could be a sign of an underlying problem. Knowing what’s causing your pain can sometimes be a challenge, however.  At the Rivas Digestive Center in Hollywood, Florida, gastroenterologist John M. Rivas, MD,...

Did you know that about 75% of American adults will experience the discomfort of hemorrhoids at some point in their lives? Although this condition that affects the anus and lower rectum is common, it can be embarrassing to talk about, making it difficult to know whether you’re at risk.   To...

Did you know that colorectal cancer is a highly preventable disease? Yet despite medical advancements that allow doctors to stop colorectal cancer before it starts, colon cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US.   The good news is that a simple colon cancer screening can...

Are you one of the 3 million Americans diagnosed with celiac disease? If so, you may feel lost, wondering how you’ll adjust to life without gluten. At the Rivas Digestive Center in Hollywood, Florida, we understand how difficult living with celiac disease can be. Triple board-certified gastroenterologist John M. Rivas,...

If you have recurrent acid reflux, you know how much it can impact your life. Worrying about what you eat and whether it will affect you later on can be frustrating. When it strikes you by surprise, the discomfort and pain of acid reflux can make life unpleasant.  When acid...

Chances are you’ve heard of colon cancer, but did you know it’s the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States? Triple board-certified gastroenterologist John M. Rivas, MD, helps patients prevent and catch this deadly disease early with colon cancer screenings.   Dr. Rivas meets with you at the...

If you struggle with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you’ve got company. Medical researchers estimate that between 25-45 million Americans have this digestive problem, as well as between 10-15% of the global population.  More than half of the people with IBS report moderate-to-severe symptoms. And for people with this degree of...

What you eat not only affects how you feel today, but it may also influence your future health. Making healthy food choices makes it easier for you to maintain a healthy weight and prevent chronic health issues. Your food choices particularly influence colon health. Diet plays a critical role in...

Many people follow a gluten-free diet to help with weight loss, boost their energy levels, or improve athletic performance.  Though there’s very little evidence that the gluten-free diet helps with weight loss or energy levels, the diet is medically necessary for people diagnosed with celiac disease or nonceliac gluten sensitivity,...

Every month, more than 60 million people in the United States experience acid reflux symptoms, better known as heartburn. If you’re among the one-quarter of people who experience acid reflux symptoms almost daily, you may have a more chronic condition caused gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  No matter the frequency of...

Your hemorrhoids can be an embarrassing topic to discuss with anyone, even your doctor. But hemorrhoids are common and affect 5% of adults in the United States every year, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. It’s estimated, in fact, that as many as three...