Palmetto GI Blog
IBS vs. IBD: What’s the Difference, and Why It Matters
Ongoing abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits can affect every part of your day, from work to travel to time with family. If you've researched your symptoms, you've likely come across two similar-sounding conditions: IBS and IBD. At Palmetto GI,...
Dr. Lori Robbins: Best GI Doctor
Dr. Lori Robbins has been voted Charleston's Best GI Doctor, and anyone who has sat across from her in an exam room could tell you why. She has built her entire practice around something patients don't always get: time. Time to listen, time to ask the right questions,...
GLP-1 and Digestive Health: What Patients Should Know
If you've started a GLP-1 medication for weight management or type 2 diabetes, you may have noticed changes in your digestion along the way. Nausea, bloating, and a change in appetite are common early on. GLP-1 medications work directly on how your digestive system...
Hemorrhoids — What Works, What Doesn’t, and When to Call a Doctor
Hemorrhoids are remarkably common — nearly three-quarters of adults will deal with them at some point — yet they’re a condition many people are reluctant to talk about with their doctor. The result? Unnecessary discomfort and, occasionally, delayed diagnosis of...
Fatty Liver Disease Is on the Rise — Here’s What You Should Know
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common liver condition in the United States, affecting an estimated 80 to 100 million Americans — and many of them have no ideaDoctors recently gave this condition a new name — MASLD (metabolic...
The Truth About Colonoscopy Prep (It’s Not as Bad as You’ve Heard)
If fear of the prep is what’s kept you from scheduling a colonoscopy, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common reasons patients delay this life-saving procedure. But here’s what we tell our patients: the prep has gotten dramatically better, and the peace of mind...
IBS vs. IBD — Understanding the Difference
IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It's one of the most common digestive conditions in the world, affecting 10–20% of adults. Despite how uncomfortable it can be, IBS does not damage your intestines or cause permanent harm to your body. Doctors call it a...
GERD vs. Heartburn — How to Tell the Difference (And When to Act)
These three terms get used interchangeably all the time, but they actually mean different things. Think of them as a ladder — each one building on the last. Acid reflux is what's actually happening in your body. Your stomach is connected to your esophagus (the tube...
8 Digestive Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
Most digestive discomfort is temporary — a meal that didn't agree with you, a stressful week, or a minor bug. But some symptoms are your body's way of signaling that something more significant is happening. As a gastroenterologist, I see patients every week who waited...
The New Colonoscopy Guidelines — What Turning 45 Means for Your Health
If you recently celebrated your 45th birthday, there’s something on your healthcare to-do list that may has moved up. Updated guidelines from the American Cancer Society now recommend that colorectal cancer screening begin at age 45 for adults at average risk — five...










