Sophie M. Balzora is a gastroenterologist and can be reached on Twitter @SophieBalzoraMD.

The painful anniversary of Dr. Susan Moore

Conditions
January 18, 2022

“You have to show proof that you have something wrong with you in order for you to get the medicine. I put forth, and I maintain that if I was white, I wouldn’t have to go through that.”
– Dr. Susan Moore.

In a 7-minute-and-22-second Facebook video documenting her treatment at a suburban hospital in Indiana, Dr. Susan Moore, a Black woman physician, articulated the collective desperation and frustration that was a …

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The painful anniversary of Dr. Susan Moore

IBD versus IBS: The difference is everything

Conditions
June 24, 2014

The New York Times recently published two articles in a series about inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, in hopes to destigmatize the disease, and to broadcast medical and surgical advancements that have worked to change how we conceptualize IBD. I applauded the Times for highlighting what can be a debilitating disease for the 1.4 million Americans who are afflicted with it, and thought: Finally! IBD is getting the attention it deserves.

Albeit …

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IBD versus IBS: The difference is everything

When should we test for celiac disease?

Conditions
May 26, 2014

May marks Celiac Disease Awareness Month, with the goals of raising awareness of the disease and its potential health complications, and also to help elucidate which patients warrant diagnostic testing for the disease.

A few days ago on Twitter, I noticed that #glutenfree was trending (again). It is fascinating to observe how gluten-free businesses are beyond booming as diseases and conditions such as celiac disease, wheat allergy, and non-celiac gluten intolerance …

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When should we test for celiac disease?

Selling colonics to detoxify is false advertising

Conditions
September 8, 2013

Every major city has its well-advertised and well-anticipated spa week. This wonderful week of facials, massages, and rest and relaxation all at discounted prices is enough to get even the most cynical and uptight of my fellow New Yorkers giddy with excitement. With the advent of the juice cleanse craze on the scene, another cleanse that is again gaining attention is colon hydrotherapy, better known as the “colon cleanse, or …

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Selling colonics to detoxify is false advertising

How Katie Couric continues to influence the colonoscopy debate

Conditions
July 8, 2013

Katie_Couric_VF_2012_Shankbone_3 (1)

In 2003, the Archives of Internal Medicine published an observational study assessing the impact of Katie Couric’s March 2000 Today Show colorectal cancer awareness campaign, including the well-known colonoscopy she underwent live on air. The data was compelling, showing a sizeable spike in colonoscopy rates across the U.S. of more than 20%, thanks to this very likeable, personable, and …

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How Katie Couric continues to influence the colonoscopy debate

Obesity is now a disease: What are the implications?

Conditions
June 23, 2013

Obesity-Epidemic

The American Medical Association (AMA) has voted to formally recognize obesity as a disease. In the shadow of this recognition is the untimely and tragic passing of a great actor, James Gandolfini, who, known for throwing his weight and clout around onscreen as Tony Soprano, is suspected to have died from a heart attack at the early age of 51.

What is the …

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Obesity is now a disease: What are the implications?

What’s scarier than a colonoscopy?

Conditions
May 27, 2013

colonoscopy

Colorectal cancer.

Shudder. That’s the knee-jerk response that most of my patients give me when mention of their 50th birthday creeps into the conversation and I reveal that it is time for their screening colonoscopy.

Admittedly, a colonoscopy is not an experience that the overwhelming majority of the human race embraces with excitement and anticipation. Instead, it is a life event that is filled with …

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What’s scarier than a colonoscopy?

The problem with leaping into a gluten-free diet

Conditions
May 5, 2013

In recent times, it seems as though every newspaper or magazine with a dedicated health section has a focus on the perils of gluten and the benefits that come along with adhering to a gluten-free diet. Or better yet, each week brings a new celebrity touting the dangers of gluten, and how it is an unhealthy ingredient that should be avoided religiously. Is this truly sound advice?

As a practicing academic …

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The problem with leaping into a gluten-free diet