Dr. Bahram Forouzandeh M.D.
Gastroenterologist | Gastroenterology
5178 KY-321 Prestonsburg Kentucky , 41653Rating
5/5
About
Bahram Forouzandeh, MD is a gastroenterologist with his own private practice in Prestonsburg, Kentucky and is also affiliated with UK HealthCare through the University of Kentucky. He teaches at the University of Kentucky as well as the College of Osteopathic Medicine. With over 37 years of experience, he specializes in inflamed bowel disease, liver and colonoscopy. Dr. Forouzandeh was educated at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, completed an internship at the University of Illinois and a fellowship at the University of Louisville. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, a recipient of the Top Health Professional Patients Choice Award and a professional member of the American College of Physicians, the American Gastroenterological Association and the American Osteopathic Association.
Education and Training
MD at Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Teheran Univ, Fac of Med, Teheran, Iran 1978
Iran University Of Med Science Tehran Iran 1978
Tehran University of Medical Sciences School of Medicine 1978
Board Certification
American Board of Internal Medicine- Gastroenterology
Internal MedicineAmerican Board of Internal MedicineABIM- Gastroenterology
Provider Details
Dr. Bahram Forouzandeh M.D.'s Expert Contributions
Blood in stool?
You have more likely to have anorectal causes of bleeding such as hemorrhoids or anal fissures if you have pain during defecation. However based on your age increasing colorectal cancer even in young populations, we recommend a colonoscopy if you have not had a recent colonoscopy. Rectosimoid tumors can mimic hemorrhoids. READ MORE
Do I need to see a dr.?
Yes. You definitely need to see a specialist after checking with your primary care physician. You have acid reflux due to smoking and overweight problems. Also, we have to make sure you don’t have any bleeding lesion in your stomach or gut causing dark stool after checking your blood count and stool for blood before doing the endoscopy. You also need to be checked for pancreatitis if you are still drinking alcohol or suffering from chronic pancreatitis if you have left upper flank pain and smoking will make it a more likely diagnosis. As you see you have many problems which need to be addressed by an expert. READ MORE
Gastritis development?
The definition of gastritis is not clear. Indigestion, acid reflux disease, drug-induced indigestion, peptic ulcer disease, stress-related dyspepsia all are called gastritis. Pregnant people have more acid reflux but if it happened before pregnancy, it could be related to medication you used or neuroanxiety induced dyspepsia or we call functional dyspepsia. READ MORE
Lansoprazole OTC?
Yes. Two weeks is duration of therapy with over counter acid reducing medicines for the patients who have occasional or mild reflux disease. If you have throat irritation and regurgitation with more than twice a week acid reflux symptoms, you can continue up to 6 weeks. If symptoms recur after stopping your medicine, you need to see your primary care physician to be evaluated and assessed for more advanced therapy tailored to your needs and possible diagnostic tests. READ MORE
Bloody Stools?
This is more related to fissure and hemorrhoids secondary to straining due to constipation. However, due to increased risk of colorectal cancer in young populations, it is recommended to do diagnostic test such as colonoscopy no matter how young you are. The population born after 1990 have 4 times the risk for rectal cancer and two times for colon cancer. READ MORE
When should you seek medical attention for an ulcer?
If your symptoms of pain and ingestion do not respond to medication or you develop complications of ulcer such as bleeding from stomach or intestine or having nausea or vomiting. READ MORE
Is my problem urgent?
You need to go to the ER or see a general surgeon to incise the thrombosed hemorrhoid and to remove the blood clot which is causing pain and hemorrhoid bulging. Then, using topical hemorrhoid medications containing analgesic such as lidocaine after sitz bath and stool softener will help before deciding to remove hemorrhoid if it cannot managed conservatively. READ MORE
How long does a stomach ache last?
It depends what the origin of the pain is. If it is indigestion and having fullness and pressure in the upper portion of the abdomen, it usually happens after meals and improves after a few hours, which can be shortened by anti-acids or gas medication. In more serious conditions such ulcer or gallbladder stones, it will recur unless the patient is diagnosed and receives therapy for ulcer or having the gallbladder removed. In acute pancreatitis, the pain is more severe, associated with occasional nausea and vomiting, and is steadily radiating to the left upper flank and back, and needs stronger pain medication to get temporary relief, but might stay for several days. Chronic pain in the upper abdomen in older people in combination with poor appetite and weight loss might signal the development of cancer of the stomach or pancreas, which needs investigation such as a CAT scan of the abdomen or upper endoscopy to find the diagnosis. READ MORE
Is there a specific treatment for E-coli?
It depends where you get the infection with E. coli. If you have, for example, urinary tract infection, or E. coli invading the blood stream, then different po or iv antibiotics based on the severity of infection is appropriate. You don’t treat E. coli in the stool in the patients with diarrhea since most of them are self limited. E. coli responds to many antibiotics such as sulfa drugs, second and third generations of penicillin including Cefaten or Rocephin, as well as Cipro. READ MORE
Blood test result?
I don’t know why your physician started with tumor markers which are not very high, although you did not give the normal range for them. These tumor markers are good to follow a diagnosed cancer before and after therapy to guide us if the cancer is coming back. Also, it helps to see how advanced cancer is before surgery or chemotherapy indicating spreading of tumor to other organs particularly the liver when they are very high. Mild elevation of tumor markers such as CEA which is used in the colon cancer is common in smokers. In your case, I would recommend upper endoscopy, US of gallbladder as well as CT scan of abdomen with contrast before I order tumor markers. READ MORE
Elevated blood pressure?
You doctor's impression that estrogen might be contributing to the increased blood pressure was correct, but it doesn’t mean we should sacrifice your quality of life for controlling your high blood pressure when we have so many options including lifestyle changes as you need with weight loss, low salt diet in combination with many good medications we have for high blood pressure. If you cannot use any other alternative contraceptive, I think you can continue your current pill and try to work on other aspects of lifestyle changes to help your high blood pressure. Exercise, good sleep, and reducing stress level can also help to lower your blood pressure as well. READ MORE
Bile Reflux?
The bile reflux entity in general has not been clearly defined as a specific disease although it can occasionally contributes to the patient’s underlying disorders such as esophageal reflux disease or functional dyspepsia.In some patients when standard treatment is the completely effective, we can add bile acid binding resins such as cholestyramin to see if it can improve the symptoms. READ MORE
Bleeding after a bowel movement?
There are many reasons for rectal bleeding such as hemorrhoid, fissure due to constipation and straining. However due to the increased risk of colorectal cancer in young populations, we don’t want to miss less frequent but more serious diseases. Please see your family doctor to refer you to a gastroenterologist for possible colonoscopy. READ MORE
Does pancreatitis affect bowel movements?
Yes. Due to inflammatory reaction adjacent to stomach,the small and large intestine, it can paralyze the movement of intestinal contents through the bowel making the patients nauseated and occasional vomiting , as well as constipation with abdominal bloatness during initial stage of acute pancreatitis. These symptoms start to improve as the disease starts to settles down with the patients starting tolerating firt liquid and then solid food. Early feeding is encouraged in acute pancreatitis to reduce the chance of infections and also to shorten the hospital stay. READ MORE
Why am I passing blood in my stools?
I do not know how old are you, but even if you are young, due to increased colorectal cancer in young adults, any rectal bleeding or change in bowel habits as well as unusual and persistent abdominal pain need to be investigated. Attributing rectal bleeding to hemorrhoids, although correct most of the time, it could be an ultimately fatal misdiagnosis by the patient or his or her doctor which needs to be avoided in any circumstances. READ MORE
After gall bladder surgery, when can I resume my normal diet?
There is no special diet after gallbladder surgery and if it is a non complicated cholecystectomy, the patient can start anytime after surgery. READ MORE
What kind of medications are given to treat parasite infection?
There are several medications available in the market to treat intestinal worms and the choice is based on the kind of worm you have. The etiology of perianal itching is not just worm and other causes such as retained smal of stool around anus after whipping following bowel movement, allergy , hemorrhoid , anal fissure and some systemic diseases can present with perianal itching. Pinworm is the most common parasitic etiology for this problem. Mebendazole therapy and following strict hygiene guidelines such as washing underwears and bed sheets with hot water can solve the problem although it may recur occasionally if somebody else it your household carrying the parasite. There are other medication such as Albendazole which can be used for other parasites such as hookworms. READ MORE
Why do I feel bloated after eating rice?
Rice is one of the few crops which usually does not cause gas or bloating, but in your case, a food allergy can be a cause of bloating. Rice is the main substitute crop for wheat and barley for people with a gluten allergy or Celiac disease. READ MORE
Should I have soda if I have acid reflux?
It is reasonable to avoid any caffeinated and mildly acidic beverages when you have acid reflux disease. Besides, the volume of fluid you take, particularly in the late evening, can increase your stomach content to enhance regurgitation with worsening acid reflux symptoms. READ MORE
I have a weird sensation in my upper chest and throat. Is it a sign of concern?
It is more likely, as you indicated it to be acid reflux disease. A short trial of over-the-counter omeprazole for 2-4 weeks will help to see if this is acid reflux disease or needs to be investigated by X-ray and endoscopy if it does not work. Also, if you are at a high risk for hearing disease, getting a baseline EKG and even stress test if indicated by your family doctor in case the medication does not work will be reasonable. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Teaches at the University of Kentucky and also the College of Osteopathic Medicine -
Awards
- Top Health Professional Patients Choice Award
Treatments
- Hepatitis
- Acid Reflux
- Diarrhea
- Colon Polyps
- Gastritis
- Hepatitis C
- Pain
Internships
- University of Illinois- 1995
Fellowships
- Gastroenterology at the University of Louisville- 1998
Professional Society Memberships
- American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Osteopathic Association
Articles and Publications
- Published Papers on Gastroenterology
What do you attribute your success to?
- His passion for medicine, a good rapport with his patients and personal relationships with them.
Hobbies / Sports
- Going to the Gym, Walking
Favorite professional publications
- Gastro Psychology Journal, AGAJournals
Dr. Bahram Forouzandeh M.D.'s Practice location
Bahram Forouzandeh, MD
HC 64 Box 279 -Inez, KY 41224Get Direction
Practice At 5000 Ky Route 321
5000 Ky Route 321 -Prestonsburg, KY 41653Get Direction
Dr. Bahram Forouzandeh M.D.'s reviews
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