Most of us have brushed off occasional digestive issues as just "something we ate," but in this episode of Thompson On-Air, host Dave Carro explores why it is vital to stop self-diagnosing and start listening to what your body is telling you. He sits down with board-certified gastroenterologists Dr. Raymond Thomas and Dr. Andrew Quinn from the Thompson Health Gastroenterology team, who discuss what it means to listen to your gut, when to seek specialist care, and how new technologies are advancing early detection of GI and liver issues.

The doctors break down the complexities of gastroenterology, explaining how GI health impacts the entire body, from the esophagus to the liver and pancreas. They discuss the "red flags" that warrant a call to a specialist, such as difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or changes in bowel habits, and clarify the latest screening guidelines for colonoscopies, which now recommend starting at age 45.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

• The "Prep" and the Procedure: A look at how colonoscopy preparations have improved and what patients can actually expect during the screening.
• Silent Risks of Liver Disease: Why liver health is central to digestion and how new technology like the FibroScan allows for non-invasive testing in an office setting.
• Innovations in GI Tech: How Capsule Endoscopy (the "PillCam") and Artificial Intelligence are helping doctors detect issues in the small intestine that traditional scopes can't reach.
• Medication Facts vs. Fiction: An evidence-based look at the safety and efficacy of PPIs (like Prilosec and Nexium) for acid reflux.

Whether you are due for a routine screening or are managing chronic symptoms, this episode provides essential insights into navigating specialty care within the University of Rochester Medicine network.

Contact Thompson On-Air

• Email us at Thompson_CorporateCommunications@URMC.Rochester.edu
• Visit our website at http://www.ThompsonHealth.com/podcast

Thanks for listening!