Patient David was 55 years old. He had a wife, kids, and a successful business. In his youth, he was a competitive athlete, and although his sporting days were now behind him, he still felt well and full of energy.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second most common cause of cancer death. Despite a decline in incidences of colon cancer in older populations, over the last decade there has been a dramatic rise in colorectal cancer in adults under 50. In 2016 alone, 11,000 men and women in their 40’s were diagnosed with this form of cancer. Thus, many are calling for colorectal cancer screenings, which typically start at 50, to start earlier. It is important to understand your risk for colorectal cancer and to know the available screening options.

More than 60 million Americans experience it once a month, and fifteen million experience it daily. It’s heartburn, the most common symptom of acid reflux, or its more severe version - gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which happens when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. While heartburn is the most well known symptom, it is not the only one. Lesser known symptoms include difficulty swallowing, throat and voice issues, as well as salivation and sinus troubles. It is important to recognize that these can be symptoms of GERD and can be eliminated with treatment under guidance of your gastroenterologist.

Hemorrhoids, although rarely dangerous, can be a recurrent and painful intrusion. By the age of 50, about 50% of the population is thought to have experienced one or more cases. Hemorrhoids develop as veins beneath the mucous membranes lining the inner walls of the rectum and anus become swollen and distended, resulting in a painful lump that can manifest on the inside or outside the anus. While some people believe that hemorrhoids are part of the price we pay for being upright creatures, there are many treatment options available including surgery, rubber band ligation and topical ointments for milder cases.

According to a recent study, people with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), common liver diseases, are 5 times more likely to develop cirrhosis and 3 times more likely to develop cancer than healthy controls. Additionally people with mild liver fibrosis are 33 times more likely to develop cirrhosis and are 25 times more likely to develop liver cancer than those with NAFLD or NASH. Experts are calling for a more systematic way of detecting liver disease in patients at risk to prevent progression. This involves raising awareness and screening through blood tests, imaging and Fibroscan.

While dry cough, shortness of breath and fever are well recognized symptoms of COVID-19, gastrointestinal side effects are common but often missed. One of the first studies on COVID-19 patients from Stanford University found that one third of the patients studied had gastrointestinal symptoms. Due to the current testing strategies focusing on respiratory symptoms, it is possible that a large proportion of those infected are being missed. The most common gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. If you are experiencing any of these, especially in conjunction with a cough or fever, it is recommended to seek testing, while continuing to self-quarantine.