Dr. Joel Fred Spragins MD

Recommended Articles

• Who Gets Cholera?

  Cholera is an infection that is caused by a bacterium known as Vibrio cholerae, which attacks the small intestines. This disease is extremely contagious, especially in areas where there is poor sanitation or during disasters such as floods. It is capable of killing people who are infected within...

• What Foods Are Allowed in a Gluten-free Diet?

  Gluten is a protein found in many food items, and intolerance towards this protein may lead to intestinal damage. A typical gluten-free diet avoids all possible sources of this protein in meals. Gluten may cause inflammation in the body's of people who are suffering from celiac disease. Having...

• Proactive vs. Reactive Care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

  In recent years, the number of individuals affected with a form of IBD such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis has begun to increase. As the number of patients presenting with the disease increased, physicians and medical researchers are beginning to develop more in-depth research on the...

• What Is Viral Gastroenteritis?

  This is a disorder that triggers an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is often caused by numerous viruses. Also referred to as the "stomach flu", this condition can affect anyone across the globe. Viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious and spreads through close contact with infected...

• New Blood Test May Help to Differentiate Between Celiac and Gluten Sensitivity

  Celiac disease is a rare autoimmune illness, where the immune system starts attacking the outer layer of intestine once gluten is ingested. However, people complaining about gastrointestinal problems after gluten consumption far exceed the number of people living with celiac, these are mostly people...

• What Causes Diarrhea?

  Diarrhea is the frequent flow of loose, watery stool through the intestines causing muscle contraction and abdominal pain. Stool follows its path through the anus and gets watery when the digestive system consumes too much fluid or gets infected with viruses, bacteria, or parasites. A loose stool...