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2017 Get Your Rear in Gear 5k Run/Walk – San Antonio, TX

This March I’ll be participating in the Get Your Rear in Gear 5k Run/Walk in San Antonio with co-workers from our gastroenterology clinic and endoscopy center. I’m very proud that the Gastroenterology Clinic of San Antonio will be a presenting sponsor in this year’s event. This is a family friendly walk/run with lots of great kid’s activities.

Proceeds from this event will be granted towards programs that will raise colon cancer screening rates, increase awareness, and educate the public about the signs and symptoms of this disease in the San Antonio, TX community. I encourage everyone to join us to help raise awareness and colon cancer screening rates in San Antonio. To learn more about colon cancer and

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By |2017-02-01T15:16:11-06:00February 1st, 2017|colon cancer|Comments Off on 2017 Get Your Rear in Gear 5k Run/Walk – San Antonio, TX
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Treating Hemorrhoids – What are the best options?

The National Institute of Digestive Diseases describes hemorrhoids as swollen and inflamed veins around the anus or in the lower rectum, which affect 3 out of 4 adults during their lifetime. Causes are generally from events that put extra pressure in the lower rectum like straining during a bowel movement, prolonged sitting or heavy lifting. Sometimes a patient has none of these risk factors and the cause of their hemorrhoids is unknown. Common symptoms are bleeding, feeling of fullness in rectum, itching/pain around the anus and protruding lumps from the anus.

Since hemorrhoids are so common, I wanted to go over a few basics

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By |2018-01-31T01:21:53-06:00December 1st, 2016|hemorrhoids|Comments Off on Treating Hemorrhoids – What are the best options?
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Intestinal Gas: Do I have too much?

The National Institute of Digestive Diseases describes gas in the digestive tract as air that leaves your body through your mouth when you burp or through your anus when you pass gas. For this blog I’ll be focusing on air that leaves our body through the anus. The actual intestinal gas that leaves through the anus is called flatus, also known as farting, and flatulence is the “flatus or gas” that is expelled through the anus.  In some instances, flatus contains a small amount of sulfur and it’s the sulfur that gives it the odor.

A certain amount of gas production is normal in everybody.  Even though she

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By |2018-01-31T01:21:53-06:00October 3rd, 2016|Bloating|Comments Off on Intestinal Gas: Do I have too much?
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Do I need a Colon Cleanse?

I regularly have patients ask me if they should periodically be doing a colon cleanse to benefit their overall digestive health.  Since various “cleanses” are getting more popular, I thought it would be helpful to share the opinion of a gastroenterologist on this topic. My hope with this article is to provide some useful information, so that those considering a colon cleanse can make a more educated decision as to whether this is an actual health benefit or more of a fad.

What is the Function of the Colon?

To maintain good digestive health, your body must effectively eliminate food and bodily waste!  What we eat and drink travels from our stomach

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By |2016-08-14T12:26:31-05:00August 14th, 2016|Bloating, Bowel Movements, Colonoscopy|Comments Off on Do I need a Colon Cleanse?
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Fiber – How Much Do I Need?

As a gastroenterologist, I get a lot of questions from my San Antonio, TX patients about fiber intake.  We all know it’s the right thing to do but most of us don’t take enough.  So what is the right amount?  What is the right type?  Can I get it in my diet or do I have to buy a supplement?  Let’s dive into some of these most common fiber questions.

What is dietary fiber?

Fiber is the plant material we eat in our diets and comes in two main forms- soluble and insoluble.  Soluble fiber dissolves in water and is fermented in the colon.  Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and acts

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By |2022-10-03T09:22:43-05:00June 27th, 2016|Bowel Movements, Diet, Nutrition|Comments Off on Fiber – How Much Do I Need?
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April is IBS Awareness Month

With April being the National IBS Awareness month, I wanted to provide some additional information regarding irritable bowel syndrome to help promote awareness for this digestive disorder. The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) describes Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as a disorder in which abdominal discomfort or pain is associated with a range of symptoms. Typically, these include intermittent abdominal pain accompanied by diarrhea, constipation, or alternating episodes of both. Other symptoms may also be present.

IBS awareness month message to seek medical treatmentTo learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments for IBS – visit

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By |2018-01-31T01:21:53-06:00April 13th, 2016|Bloating|Comments Off on April is IBS Awareness Month
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Colon Cancer Symptoms

My patients often ask me if certain digestive symptoms like rectal bleeding can be an indicator for colon cancer. The short answer yes, but most likely that is not the case. Many of the colon cancer symptoms can also be caused by something that isn’t cancer, such as infection, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease. The symptoms of colon cancer very widely and for most patients it is completely asymptomatic.

With March being colon cancer awareness month, I wanted to provide further education on

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By |2018-01-31T01:21:54-06:00March 19th, 2016|colon cancer|Comments Off on Colon Cancer Symptoms
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2016 Colon Cancer Awareness

With March being colon cancer awareness month, I wanted to share some important information regarding prevention along with some specific awareness events that are occurring in the San Antonio area in 2016 to help promote colon cancer awareness for our community.

Colon Cancer Facts

  • It is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death.
  • The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer is about one in 19.
  • While most people diagnosed with colon cancer have no family history of the disease, those with a family history of the disease should begin screening at an earlier age.
  • With early screening and testing, colon cancer is Preventable, Treatable & Beatable!

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By |2018-01-31T01:21:54-06:00March 1st, 2016|colon cancer, Colonoscopy|Comments Off on 2016 Colon Cancer Awareness
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GERD and Reflux Management Tips

With the last week of November being designated as national GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) awareness week (who comes up with this stuff?), I wanted to provide a little additional information on this all too common problem.  Since many of us experience reflux around the holidays I thought it was important to go over this topic and give some tips to manage the symptoms.

What is REFLUX?

Reflux means flow of gastric fluid from the stomach backward into the esophagus.  This can be reflux of acid or just gastric juice and bile.  If the valve at the bottom of the esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) that normally prevents this reflux

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By |2020-09-17T14:06:08-05:00November 29th, 2015|Acid Reflux|Comments Off on GERD and Reflux Management Tips
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2015 San Antonio Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis

My practice is excited to be involved in and help sponsor the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) walk this fall.  We have a large number of inflammatory bowel disease patients in San Antonio, TX and spend a lot of time on control of this disease.  Also, we have a separate research company dedicated to new IBD medications as well.

The Take Steps event will have live music, food, kids’ entertainment and educational materials to learn more about the CCFA and their efforts. I encourage you to dust off your walking shoes and come join us at this event as we help to raise awareness and money for this cause.

Russell Havranek, MD

2015 San Antonio Take Steps Event Details

Location:  Eisenhower

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By |2018-01-31T01:21:54-06:00September 10th, 2015|IBD|Comments Off on 2015 San Antonio Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis
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