Digestive Health
IBS vs IBD: What's the Difference?
The names are almost identical, but one causes inflammation and damage and the other does not. Here is how they differ.
Digestive Health Blog
Expert insights and comprehensive guides on gastroenterology topics by Dr. Amber Khan, MD
Food & Digestion
Lactose Intolerance vs Milk Allergy: What's the Difference?
Both cause problems after dairy, but one is a digestive issue and the other is an immune reaction. Here is how to tell.
Digestive Health
When Should You See a Doctor for Bloating?
Most bloating is harmless, but some signs mean it is worth getting checked. Here are the warning signs that matter.
Colon Health
Colon Polyps vs Colon Cancer: What's the Difference?
Most polyps are not cancer, but some can become cancer over time, which is why removal matters so much.
Gallbladder & Pancreas
Gallstones vs Kidney Stones: What's the Difference?
Both are stones that cause severe pain, but they form in different organs and feel different. Here is how to tell them apart.
Digestive Health
Diverticulitis vs Appendicitis: How to Tell the Difference
Both cause belly pain and fever, but on different sides of the body and needing different care. Here is how to tell.
Digestive Health
When Should You See a Doctor for Diarrhea?
Most diarrhea clears up on its own, but some signs mean it is time to get checked. Here are the warning signs that matter.
Colon Health
Hemorrhoids vs Colon Cancer: How to Tell the Difference
Both can cause rectal bleeding, but the warning signs that separate them are important to know.
Procedures
When Should You Get a Capsule Endoscopy (PillCam)?
When a swallowable camera is the right way to look at the small intestine, and what to expect.
Colon Health
Colonoscopy vs Sigmoidoscopy: What's the Difference?
Both look inside the colon, but one checks the whole thing and the other only the lower part.
Acid Reflux
Acid Reflux vs Gallbladder Pain: How to Tell the Difference
Both cause upper belly discomfort, but reflux and gallbladder pain feel and behave differently.
Digestive Health
Food Allergy vs Food Intolerance: What's the Difference?
One is an immune reaction that can be dangerous, the other a digestive problem. Here is how they differ.
Liver Health
Fatty Liver vs Cirrhosis: How They Differ
One is an early, often reversible problem, the other is advanced scarring. Here is how they differ.
Liver Health
When Should You Get a FibroScan?
The situations where a quick, painless liver scan makes sense, and what it tells us.
Acid Reflux
When Should You See a Doctor for Heartburn?
Most heartburn is harmless, but these signs mean it is time to get it checked.
Colon Health
IBS vs Colon Cancer: How to Tell the Difference
Both can cause belly pain and changes in bowel habits, but the warning signs that separate them matter.
Digestive Health
When Should You See a Doctor for Constipation?
Most constipation is minor, but these signs mean it is time to get it checked.
Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease vs Gluten Sensitivity: What's the Difference?
Both react to gluten, but one is an autoimmune disease and the other is not. Here is how they differ.
Digestive Health
Hemorrhoids vs Anal Fissure: How to Tell the Difference
Both cause pain and bleeding with bowel movements, but hemorrhoids and fissures are different problems.
Acid Reflux
Gastritis vs GERD: How to Tell the Difference
Both cause burning upper belly discomfort, but gastritis and GERD are different problems with different treatments.
Acid Reflux
Stomach Ulcer vs Acid Reflux: How to Tell the Difference
How to tell a stomach ulcer apart from acid reflux, and why the difference changes the treatment.
Procedures
When Should You Get an Upper Endoscopy?
The symptoms and situations that mean it is time to look inside the upper digestive tract.
Digestive Health
Diverticulosis vs Diverticulitis: What's the Difference?
One is common and usually harmless, the other is an inflamed flare. Here is how they differ.
Liver & Gallbladder
Gallbladder Removal: What Life Is Like After Surgery
How digestion changes after gallbladder removal, what to eat, and how to feel your best.
Digestive Health
Pancreatic Cancer: Warning Signs and Risk Factors
The subtle warning signs of pancreatic cancer, who is most at risk, and why early evaluation matters.
Acid Reflux
Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE): Symptoms and Treatment
An allergic condition of the esophagus that causes food to stick, and how it is diagnosed and treated.
Digestive Health
Anal Fissures: Causes, Treatment, and How to Heal
Why anal fissures cause sharp pain and bleeding, and the simple steps that help them heal.
Liver Health
Jaundice: What Yellow Skin and Eyes Can Mean
What causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow, and why jaundice should always be checked.
Colon Health
Rectal Bleeding: When to Worry and When to Relax
Which kinds of rectal bleeding are usually harmless, and which ones need to be checked right away.
Digestive Health
Fiber and Digestive Health: How Much You Really Need
Why fiber matters so much for digestion, how much you actually need, and how to add it comfortably.
Procedures
Colonoscopy Recovery: What to Expect After Your Procedure
What the rest of your day looks like after a colonoscopy, from recovery to results.
Colon Health
Colonoscopy vs Cologuard: Which Screening Is Right for You?
How colonoscopy and Cologuard compare, the pros and cons of each, and how to choose the right screening.
Acid Reflux
Hiatal Hernia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
What a hiatal hernia is, how it connects to acid reflux, and when it needs treatment.
Digestive Health
Probiotics for Gut Health: What the Evidence Says
What probiotics can and cannot do for your gut, and how to choose one that is worth taking.
Digestive Health
Trouble Swallowing (Dysphagia): Causes and When to See a Doctor
Why swallowing can become difficult, the causes to know about, and the warning signs to act on.
Digestive Health
Chronic Constipation: Causes, Relief, and When to See a Doctor
What causes ongoing constipation, the relief that actually helps, and the warning signs to take seriously.
Liver Health
Hepatitis A, B, and C: What You Need to Know
The differences between hepatitis A, B, and C, how they spread, and why testing matters.
Digestive Health
IBS Diet and Management: How to Reduce Symptoms
Practical ways to calm IBS symptoms, from the low-FODMAP diet to daily habits that help.
Colon Health
Colorectal Cancer: Signs, Risk Factors, and Prevention
The warning signs, who is at risk, and why screening is one of the few tests that can prevent cancer.
Procedures
Upper Endoscopy: What to Expect Before, During, and After
A simple walkthrough of an upper endoscopy so you know exactly what to expect.
Acid Reflux
Barrett's Esophagus: What You Should Know
How long-term acid reflux can change the esophagus, what the risk really is, and why monitoring matters.
Digestive Health
Pancreatitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
What makes the pancreas inflamed, the symptoms to take seriously, and how pancreatitis is treated.
Acid Reflux
GERD Diet: Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid
Which foods trigger acid reflux, which ones are easier on your stomach, and the habits that help.
Digestive Health
Peptic Ulcers: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
What causes stomach ulcers, the symptoms to watch for, and how they are treated and healed.
Colon Health
Colon Polyps: What They Are and Why We Remove Them
What colon polyps are, which ones matter, and why removing them during a colonoscopy prevents cancer.
Digestive Health
SIBO: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Explained
Why too much bacteria in the small intestine causes bloating and gas, and how it is tested and treated.
Digestive Health
Diverticulitis: Symptoms, Diet, and Treatment
What causes diverticulitis, how it is treated, and the diet that helps you recover and avoid another flare.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy Prep: What to Eat and What to Expect
A simple, step by step guide to colonoscopy prep, including what to eat, the bowel prep schedule, and what to expect.
Digestive Health
Blood in Stool: Causes and When to See a Doctor
What rectal bleeding can mean, the common causes, and the warning signs that should not wait.
Digestive Health
H. Pylori Infection: Symptoms, Testing, and Treatment
How a common stomach bacteria causes ulcers and gastritis, and how we test for it and treat it.
Digestive Health
Lactose Intolerance: Symptoms, Testing, and Management
Why dairy upsets some stomachs, how testing works, and simple ways to eat comfortably.
Liver & Gallbladder
Gallstones: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Why gallstones form, the symptoms to watch for, and the treatment options that work.
Digestive Health
Bloating & Gas: Causes, Relief & When to See a Doctor
What causes bloating and gas, how to find lasting relief, and the warning signs that mean it's time to see a gastroenterologist — from Dr. Amber Khan.
Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease & Gluten-Free Living: A Complete Guide
A gastroenterologist's complete guide to celiac disease and gluten-free living — symptoms, diagnosis, the gluten-free diet, and practical tips from Dr. Amber Khan.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Crohn's Disease: A Comprehensive Management Guide
Symptoms, diagnosis, medications, diet, and lifestyle strategies for managing Crohn's disease, with expert IBD care from Dr. Amber Khan in New Jersey.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Guide: Managing IBD
Symptoms, diagnosis, medications, diet, and managing flares — a complete ulcerative colitis treatment guide from Dr. Amber Khan in New Jersey.
Digestive Health
Gastroparesis: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Guide
Understand delayed stomach emptying — symptoms, causes, diagnosis, diet, and treatment options for gastroparesis from Dr. Amber Khan in NJ.
Liver Health
Liver Health 101: Signs Your Liver Needs Attention
Learn the warning signs of liver problems and how to protect your liver. Hepatologist Dr. Amber Khan explains liver health, tests, and prevention in NJ.
Liver Health
Fatty Liver Disease: Complete Guide to Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Learn about fatty liver disease, including NASH and NAFLD. Dr. Amber Khan explains causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options in New Jersey.
Digestive Health
Gut Microbiome and Digestive Health: Your Inner Ecosystem
Understanding the trillions of bacteria that influence your health, immunity, and well-being. Complete guide to gut health optimization.
Digestive Health
Food Poisoning vs Stomach Bug: How to Tell the Difference
Learn to distinguish between food poisoning and stomach viruses. Dr. Amber Khan explains symptoms, treatment, prevention, and when to seek medical care.
Digestive Health
Hemorrhoids: Complete Guide to Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Comprehensive guide to hemorrhoids including symptoms, causes, treatment options, and prevention. Expert care from conservative treatments to medical procedures.
Emergency Care
Heartburn vs Heart Attack: How to Tell the Difference
Critical knowledge that could save your life - understanding when chest pain needs emergency care and distinguishing heartburn from heart attack symptoms.
Healthy Aging
Digestive Health and Aging: What to Expect and How to Stay Healthy
Understanding how aging affects digestive health and strategies for maintaining optimal gut health as you age. Expert guidance for healthy aging.
Digestive Health
IBS vs IBD: Understanding the Difference and Why Diagnosis Matters
Learn the key differences between IBS and IBD, their symptoms, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options to better understand these common digestive conditions.
Procedures
Colonoscopy Screening at 45: New Guidelines Save Lives
Learn about the new colonoscopy screening guidelines starting at age 45. Dr. Amber Khan explains why earlier screening saves lives and what to expect.
Digestive Health
Don't Ignore Persistent Stomach Pain: When to See a Gastroenterologist
Learn when stomach pain requires medical attention and the warning signs that indicate you should see a gastroenterologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Digestive Health
Crohn's Disease vs Ulcerative Colitis: What's the Difference?
Understanding these two forms of inflammatory bowel disease, their symptoms, differences in diagnosis, treatment approaches, and long-term management strategies.