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Visceral hypersensitivity is a condition that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, yet it often goes undiagnosed or misunderstood. In this article, we will explore what [...]

Acid reflux, a common digestive disorder, can lead to discomfort and affect one’s daily life. This article provides an in-depth look at acid reflux, its causes, common symptoms, and [...]

Gastroenterology is a branch of medicine dedicated to diagnosing and treating disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. From common conditions like acid reflux to complex diseases such as [...]

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a digestive disorder caused by the excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestine. It can lead to uncomfortable symptoms and impact overall [...]

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that deals with the digestive system, including the stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas. It is an essential field of medicine that is focused on [...]

SIBO, or small intestine bacterial overgrowth, is a condition where excessive bacteria grow in the small intestine, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms can include bloating, gas, [...]

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a medical procedure for treating various conditions, including chronic pain, cancer, and heart rhythm disorders. This minimally invasive procedure uses [...]

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a common condition affecting millions worldwide. This condition occurs when the stomach’s contents, including acid, [...]

An Endoscopy is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to examine the inside of the body. It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light at the end, called an endoscope, [...]

A Colonoscopy is a medical procedure to detect colon cancer and other abnormalities in the colon and rectum. It involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera and light at the end, called a [...]

overview  Achalasia is a rare disorder that results in difficulty for food and liquids to go through smoothly to the esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth and stomach). Achalasia may [...]

overview  Barrett’s esophagus is a condition that happens when acid reflux damages the esophagus (a tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) the tube that has a flat pink lining thickens [...]

What’s a Gastroscopy? Gastroscopy is one out of many endoscopy procedures that we perform here at the London Gastroenterology Center.  This procedure examines the inside of your body [...]

Acid Reflux AKA heartburn, is a condition that is quite common and happens when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe, which then causes uncomfortable symptoms such as gas or a bitter [...]

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) describes a collection of abdominal symptoms including stomach pain and changes to bowel habits without any noticeable underlying pathology. IBS is typically [...]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory conditions that affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.* The main types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD affects [...]

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is a condition in which the oesophagus (gullet) becomes inflamed as a result of an allergic reaction (see here).* The inflammation is caused by a type of white [...]

The liver produces a green-yellow fluid called bile, and stores it in the gall bladder. Bile is needed to digest any lipids (fats) in your diet. Bile flows from the liver through the hepatic [...]

This blog series is based on the Gastroenterology Journal, Annual special on the topic of functional gut disorders  The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a continuous tube that connects the [...]

People often ask me what medicines they should be taking for their Barrett’s oesophagus. For the most part, the answer is the same medicines they are taking to prevent symptoms of acid reflux. [...]

What do you do when you feel unwell and need an endoscopy? A patient contacted me today. She has been suffering...

The tradition in medicine was always to take a ‘history’ from the patient. The doctor would ask some simple ‘open’ questions and listen to the responses. (S)he would then ask a few highly [...]

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGID)  The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a continuous tube that connects the mouth to the anus. Its walls contain a layer of muscles, which can [...]

Choline is important for liver metabolism Choline is a nutrient that was first found about 150 years ago in the bile. It is very important as it helps to make the cell membranes and also plays a [...]

Aspartame is one of the most commonly used sweeteners in diet food and drinks. It  accounts for over 60% of the sweetener market. Aspartame is found in over 6,000 food products, consumed by [...]

Tips to tackle a common problem SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) is a relapsing and remitting condition that may affect up to 10-15% of the general population.  The hallmark of SIBO [...]

The Study I was very interested to read a new study about the use of psychological therapies for irritable bowel syndrome. This was a meta-analysis, a study which compares results from dozens of [...]

There’s a number of reasons why people might need an endoscopy. The procedure, sometimes also called a ‘gastroscopy’, involves a thin flexible tube with a camera at the end, called an endoscope, [...]

Constipation – characterised by infrequent bowel movements – can be uncomfortable enough at the best of times, let alone when you’re on holiday. Find out more about the causes, tests and [...]

If you’re struggling with ongoing bowel issues following cancer treatment, you’re not alone. In fact, while it might not be a topic that’s often talked about, bowel and digestive problems after [...]

Having a hernia – when a segment of internal body tissue pushes through a hole or parting within a muscle wall – is very common, particularly once you’re over 50. They don’t always cause [...]

Men are notoriously bad at talking about their health – and anything linked to digestive health and toilet habits can be especially tricky. While this is understandable, gut and digestive health [...]

May 14, 2018 Being diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can feel overwhelming. But while IBD – such as Crohn’s disease, the most common form of IBD, or ulcerative colitis – is not [...]

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with more than 41,000 people diagnosed every year. The good news is, bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is treatable and [...]

Spring is finally here – which is good news for our vitamin D levels! While we can get some vitamin D through our diets, most of it comes from exposure to sunlight. But in the UK, from [...]

We all know smoking is bad news for our lungs, heart and blood vessels – but did you know cigarettes can damage your gut and digestive health too? From bowel cancer to IBS, here are five of the [...]

It’s no secret that, as a nation, we’re pretty sleep-deprived. According to the Sleep Council’s most recent Great British Bedtime Report, 30% of Brits sleep badly most nights – and there’s [...]

Although fibre doesn’t contribute any nutrition to our diets, it is still important to make sure that you are eating enough of it. Dietary fibre plays an important role in maintaining our [...]

Bloating can be very uncomfortable, but it isn’t usually a sign of anything serious. However, if you experience bloating or other digestive symptoms frequently it is a good idea to see a doctor [...]

A gastroscopy is a type of endoscopy that is used to look at your throat, stomach and upper intestine. It is one of the investigative procedures that your gastroenterologist London can perform to [...]

Chronic reflux or GORD can usually be treated without surgery or other procedures. However, if your symptoms haven’t responded to dietary changes and medication, it may be time to consider the [...]

Barrett’s oesophagus is considered a pre-cancerous condition. Being diagnosed with Barrett’s oesophagus doesn’t mean that you have cancer or even that you will definitely go on to develop cancer. [...]

SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) is a relapsing and remitting condition that affects up to one in seven people in the general population. The hallmark of SIBO is that the small [...]

If you’ve just been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, then it is likely that you will have heard the term aminosalicylates or ASAs from your doctor. Aminosalicylates are the most common choice [...]

Talking to a doctor about your stools can feel a bit embarrassing, but your poo can provide valuable insights into your health. It is important to mention anything unusual that you’ve noticed [...]

Heart burn is a pain at any time of the day, but it can feel much worse when it’s stopping you getting to sleep at night. If you have persistent heart burn, it’s a good idea to ask a doctor about [...]

Most people who have Barrett’s oesophagus aren’t aware of it until their doctor makes the diagnosis. The main sign that you have this complication of acid reflux is that the cells lining your [...]

Having an endoscopy can seem frightening, but the procedure is probably a lot easier than you might expect. However, if you’re feeling anxious about your private endoscopy, here are a few tips to [...]

Living with a chronic condition like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be a challenge, but with the right ulcerative colitis treatment and the support of your family and friends, it is still [...]

Get Your Caffeine Fix and Control Acid Reflux Without Drinking Coffee If you feel a burning sensation in your throat or chest after eating, you’re probably experiencing acid reflux. It’s a [...]

Probiotics are live bacteria or yeasts that exist in some kinds of foods and supplements. Eating live bacteria might sound like a bad idea, but there are some kinds of bacteria that are actually [...]

Day 5 Have you been enjoying our meal plans so far? We hope this week’s meal plan options work a treat for your IBS too! Meal plan 1 Meal plan 2 Breakfast: Chopped fruit and nuts with natural [...]

Day 6 Are you an IBS sufferer? Do you find that eating normal food upsets your bowels? Here is a two-day meal plans for you to enjoy which won’t have you on the loo after every meal… Meal plan 1 [...]

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and IBS Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are two conditions that can significantly impact one’s quality of life. IBS is a condition of [...]

Days 6 and 7 Have you been suffering from diarrhoea and are concerned about what foods you can eat? Here are two more daily meal plans that are compatible with IBS. Meal plan 1 Meal plan 2 [...]

The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) occurs more in women than in men and it is likely this has something to do with the menstrual cycle. During the menstrual cycle, hormone levels fluctuate and [...]

Following the previous article on the association between proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and dementia (click here), we will discuss further some medical correlations between PPIs and common [...]

Dementia Dementia is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain that describes a wide set of symptoms including:

You have a tummy ache. You are not sure what to eat. Here are some more recipes for people with irritable bowel syndrome. Meal plan 1 Meal plan 2 Breakfast: 2 Poached eggs Rice-bread with sugar [...]

Days 2 and 3 Here we have two more meal plans that may appeal to anyone suffering from an irritable bowel syndrome. Meal plan 1 Breakfast: 2 egg omelette Chopped apple and pear with soya yoghurt [...]

Enjoyable IBS Diets Do you want to have an enjoyable IBS diet? People who suffer from IBS may find that certain foods upset them; as such, creating healthy, tasty and nutritious meals may seem [...]

Haemorrhoids are blood vessels that reside in the anal canal (in and around the bottom) in healthy individuals. When they can become inflamed or swollen they can cause a disease known as piles [...]

What is a hernia? A hernia is the protrusion of an organ through the muscular or tissue wall that usually contains it. Although they can occur anywhere, the majority of hernias occur in the [...]

An ulcer is a breaking in the lining of the wall of an anatomical structure, such as the stomach wall. In the stomach, ulcers develop when the protective mucus layer that lines it is reduced. As [...]

Crohn’s disease is the second condition belonging to the family of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Unlike ulcerative colitis it can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract, can affect [...]

IBD: Ulcerative Colitis Inflammatory Bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. There are two main types: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Let’s talk [...]

As discussed in the first article on IBS, stress is one of the many known factors that can exacerbate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Most people experience stress every day of their [...]

For anyone who would like to keep up to date with Professor Lovat’s research profile, please just click on the button below. Click Here This will take you to the ResearcherID website which [...]

Doctors spend a lot of time doing tests to diagnose Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). But after they have done the ultrasound, colonoscopy and blood tests, do they help you manage the symptoms? [...]

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition of the bowel characterised by abnormal bowel habits, indigestion, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. It tends to vary with time, but for many [...]

On the 21st Nov 2015, the “New Scientist” published an article called “Gut Thinking”. We have summarised the main points here and hope you enjoy it!

What is diarrhoea and what causes it? Diarrhoea is when you pass stools more frequently than normal. The stools are typically looser and more watery. As opposed to constipation, which was [...]

What is constipation and what causes it? Constipation is a condition in which you have difficulty passing stools regularly. If you are constipated, you may also likely spend longer on the toilet [...]

The biological role of minerals This table shows the approximate quantities of some of the minerals in the body Metal Total body stores (g) Zinc 1.8 Iron 3.7 Calcium 1,000   Zinc Zinc is [...]

Following our two-part series on calories and hunger, we have a special report based on an article in the New Scientist (17th October 2015). Many foods today are pre-packaged. Ready meals; [...]

Everyone gets hungry from time to time. And some people get hungry more often than others. In this article I hope to explain why people get hungry, from a scientific point of view. The brain is [...]

In order to survive, people eat. With such a large variety of goods to choose from, most people do not go hungry. Why is it, though, that 10 chocolate bars will make you fatter than eating 10 [...]

Anatomy of the digestive system The Oesophagus The oesophagus is the swallowing pipe. It is a simple muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. When you swallow, the muscles of the [...]

Medical imaging is used for many purposes including diagnosis, treatment and the planning of treatment. At the London Gastroenterology Centre, we are always keeping our eyes open for new ways of [...]

When I was a child, all grapefruits were yellow and bitter. I didn’t like them. Come to think of it I didn’t like my greens either. They were also bitter.One day I chanced across a [...]

Dessert is the favourite meal for many people, but when you suffer from acid reflux, the high fat and sugar content of many typical desserts can leave a less than sweet feeling afterwards! The [...]

It’s something that many, if not all of us, have experienced at one time or another; that unpleasant burning sensation in the chest, often after eating or at night. Because it is such a common [...]

If you’ve decided to book a colonoscopy in London, or even if you’re still undecided as to whether it’s the right procedure for you, then you’re probably wondering what you have to do to prepare [...]

Establishing the right diet is vital to your digestive health; however, every individual is unique, so it may take some trial and error to find exactly the right one for you. Our slideshare has [...]

In the UK, 43% of people are thought to have experienced digestive discomfort at some point in their lives, although this number may be a lot higher due to the embarrassment that many sufferers [...]

At the London Gastroenterology Centre, conducting private endoscopy in London, we understand that it can be hard to understand why your body is behaving in such a way when you feel you are eating [...]

The high oil content of deep fried traditional chips or fries can result in a lot of acid reflux symptoms for many people, but those crispy, golden fries can be so hard to resist! Luckily, on an [...]

We don’t always see the funny side of medicine. Perhaps we should step back and laugh a little more. After all, laughter is the best medicine! We hope you enjoy this Youtube clip. None of [...]

Please note, this blog is for information only. At the London Gastroenterology Centre we do not currently treat patients under the age of 16 years. Most children will complain about an upset [...]

We recently wrote a post that looked at some of the foods that should be avoided if you are experiencing digestive problems. Food is often one of the main causes of digestive problems, so it’s [...]

For some sufferers of acid reflux, ingredients such as onion or garlic can exacerbate symptoms. However, eating on an acid reflux diet doesn’t mean that these ingredients have to be avoided or [...]

Whilst we deliver a range of professional diagnostic services at the London Gastroenterology Centre, including endoscopy in London, we believe the best way to deal with the digestive problems [...]

Although your intestines are very good at digesting the food and drink you consume, it couldn’t do it on its own. To help your digestive system out, your intestines are home to around 100 [...]

Acid reflux can be an uncomfortable condition to live with, leaving many people feeling as if they either have to suffer the pain and discomfort which it causes, or resign themselves to eating [...]

  Being a leading practice in gastroenterology, providing private colonoscopy in London we understand that the word colonoscopy may make you a little nervous. You may only know it as a [...]

As you will have seen from our previous blog, there are many common digestive conditions that countless people live with every day. These can seriously affect your lifestyle and your help, and [...]

It’s not something anyone wants to discuss, but having gastrointestinal problems is an increasingly common complaint. People needn’t suffer in silence, especially as some of these complaints can [...]

Digestive problems are no fun. In fact, they can be downright unpleasant, especially when experienced regularly. Gastrointestinal issues can be caused by a variety of different factors, from [...]

Indigestion is one of the most common health issues in the UK and causes daily misery for millions. Symptoms of indigestion usually begin with feelings of dyspepsia and heartburn that can be [...]

  Bloating is the feeling of tightness or fullness in the abdominal area – usually accompanied with abdominal pain. Most people feel bloated after eating, in which their stomach will feel [...]

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important, and the same thing goes for your digestive health. Poor digestive health can lead to many complications, from short term gastroenteritis to [...]

Gastrointestinal endoscopy has benefited from many advances in recent years thanks to the rise of the technological era. These have been related to gastroenterology itself as well as the ways in [...]

Crohn’s Disease is one of the most common forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), affecting approximately 1 in 650 people living in the UK. At the London Gastroenterology Centre, we specialise [...]

It may never be too late to cut your risk of colon cancer. Well, that’s if the findings of a new study are to be believed. According to this research, just two weeks of diet changes may be [...]

“A quantum advance in abdominal surgery.” – Dr. Francis Moore When were colonoscopies first performed? Modern day colonoscopies were first performed in 1969 when the procedure was a [...]

Endoscopies are vital and often life-saving procedures that help to diagnose a variety of diseases and medical conditions. However, many patients do experience anxiety about these procedures, and [...]

Within the last 20 years, bowel cancer death rates have fallen significantly.  One of the most likely reasons for the drop is that growths are being spotted by screening methods such as [...]

Here at London Gastroenterology Centre, we are specialists in treating a wide range of disorders including Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS can be difficult to live with, and finding the right diet [...]

If you suffer from IBS or another functional gastro-intestinal disorder, and you’ve looked into ways to improve your condition, you will most likely have come across references to the low-FODMAP [...]

Acid reflux is a pretty nasty thing to suffer from – the searing pain, the rising bile, and even a niggling, throaty cough are all symptoms of acid reflux, or heartburn, as it’s colloquially [...]

If you suffer from a digestive disorder such as IBS or acid reflux, you will be well aware that the symptoms can be highly uncomfortable and incredibly unpleasant. This is why many people like [...]

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be a very difficult condition to live with, therefore it is vital that you’re able to recognise the symptoms so you can receive professional treatment.

We always hear doctors talking about our diet and how we should eat healthily in order to help our bodies function and avoid illnesses. Cancer can affect anybody and, sometimes, the illness can [...]

A member of my family was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease over 30 years ago. He had been sick for about five years before they finally made the diagnosis. He had lost a large amount of weight, had [...]

One of the commonest reasons why people come to see one of our  doctors at the London Gastroenterology Centre is because they may need an endoscopy. Endoscopy is part of the investigation of a [...]

The government has recently launched its next phase of the ‘Be Clear on Cancer campaign’. There have already been campaigns in relation to bowel cancer (blood in the poo)and lung cancer (cough [...]

There is strong evidence to suggest that certain foods can increase your risk of being diagnosed with colon cancer in your lifetime. A healthy, balanced diet is extremely important for your [...]

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that is thought to affect one in five people, and is more common in women than it is in men. The causes of IBS are not completely clear, [...]

Physical reactions to certain foods are common, however most are caused by a food intolerance rather than a food allergy. A food intolerance can cause similar signs and symptoms as a food [...]

Eating a healthy balanced diet will provide your body with all the nutrients it needs. These nutrients have a number of vital functions in our bodies, from helping keep our brains active, to [...]

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition affecting the digestive system. Symptoms of IBS include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, constipation and bloating. These symptoms can be quite [...]

When it comes to the colder seasons; it’s normal to feel a little sluggish or lethargic in body and mind, and a night on the sofa will naturally feel far more tempting than a night hitting the [...]

Many of the causes of Acid Reflux are related to one’s diet and lifestyle. Of course, more severe cases of Acid Reflux require immediate medical attention and supervision, however those with less [...]

Many of us suffer from digestive problems, such as bloating and these can be a pretty unpleasant to deal with. However you don’t have to accept digestive discomfort as being a mere fact of life.

Superfoods have been proven to be the perfect addition to any healthy diet and lifestyle, helping to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and cholesterol.

Over the years I have seen very many patients with acid reflux. Acid reflux symptoms are wide and varied. The traditional ones of course are heartburn and regurgitation of food. This may lead to [...]

We have done it! We have done it! After six years, we have shown that our use of endoscopy to treat dysplasia arising in Barrett’s oesophagus not only works, but is getting better! Our work [...]

Many people with Crohn’s disease now use infliximab to keep their illness under control. It is now widely recognised that this is a better approach than using steroids to induce remission. [...]

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder involving the hormones that regulate blood sugar, leading to blood sugar levels that are higher than normal. It affects over 350 million people worldwide, [...]

Coeliac disease causes the lining of the small bowel to wither away. This is due to an autoimmune disorder due to an allergy to gluten. Only people who are genetically predisposed will develop [...]

Dr Haidry comments on some of the latest clinical and research developments in his field: The use of probiotics is increasing in the medical fraternity as well as the community. Gut microbiota [...]

A patient came to see me yesterday. She has had severe tummy aches which she was told were due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They have been going on for months. We have already investigated [...]

A few people phoned and emailed me today. They read a piece in the Times about risks of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for acid reflux. The article pointed out that in some people, taking these [...]

  Before listing preventative measures for gastroenteritis, let me explain briefly what exactly this condition is. Gastroenteritis is usually caused by inflammation in the stomach and small [...]

Is the bacteria H pylori our friend or enemy? Approximately half of the world’s population live with a bacteria in their gut called Helicobacter pylori, most of whom are completely unaffected by [...]

We received such a nice letter today. The patient kindly allowed us to post it: “I suffered with irritable bowel syndrome for 20 years. I could feel food going through me and I used to get [...]

Sometimes it feels as if being careful with your diet means you can’t eat anything decent. It isn’t true. Here are some delicious muffins for you to try. As they say, when the going gets tough, [...]

  Forty years ago the British physiologist, John Yudkin, wrote a book which became a classic. It was called Pure, White and Deadly.It argued that sugar was bad for us. That was bad for his [...]

Why I am I writing about insomnia and irritable bowel syndrome? Insomnia is a common disorder that affects people’s quality of life and their health. Irritable bowel syndrome turns out to [...]

Imagine this: swallowing a pill and less than a minutes later, your doctor can see if you have a life threatening illness. The alternative: being sedated for 90 minutes, receiving slower results [...]

Colorectal cancer, the second most common cancer, can be found in the colon or rectum in the form of a lump, tumor, or growth. Current methods of screening for colorectal cancer include: [...]

  One cause of heartburn which is frequently overlooked is pain from muscle trigger points. These can mimic acid reflux and yet be entirely unresponsive to acid suppression drugs. When I [...]

One of the most important questions in the whole field of Barrett’s oesophagus is whether diagnosing it makes any difference. For most people, Barrett’s is a curiosity – the lining of the gullet [...]

Doctors are taking industrial action for the first time in 40 years in the UK! I have found this a very difficult issue. We earn well compared to most people. The country is in the middle of an [...]

Do you always do what your doctor says? If you are told to take antibiotics, do you complete the course? Indeed, do you even start? It is thought that about one in three people who take [...]

A patient came to see me yesterday. She has had severe tummy aches which she was told were due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They have been going on for months. We have already investigated [...]

One of the rather more unlikely treatments for the nasty diarrhoeal illness caused by Clostridium difficile is ‘faecal transplant’. I first read about the concept 20 years ago but it [...]

One of the rather difficult issues is to decide when a person has Barrett’s oesophagus and when they do not. It should be straightforward but it isn’t. The first thing is that instead [...]

One of the contributors to the study day was Mr Abrie Botha. He is a very experienced upper GI surgeon. He pointed out that the key to success for anti-reflux surgery is to make sure it is only [...]

I would like to tell you a little about what we get up to and new things we have found out. This week, I attended an Upper GI Study Day at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, right opposite Big [...]