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Author: cloakendagger

Two doctors discussing in office.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Digestive Problems

Written by cloakendagger on . Posted in Blog.

If you’ve ever felt nervous or embarrassed to bring up digestive issues with your doctor, you’re not alone. Stomach pain, bloating, gas, planning to keep a bathroom close by – all of these symptoms might be common, but that doesn’t make them easy to talk about. Many people delay or avoid these conversations because they worry they’ll sound dramatic, or they’ve gotten used to “just dealing with it.” But the truth is that your digestive symptoms matter, and your doctor wants to help. The earlier you speak up, the sooner you can find relief and rule out anything serious. Use...

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Liver Health

Written by cloakendagger on . Posted in Blog.

We spend so much time talking about heart health, gut health, even skin health, but your liver quietly does over 500 essential jobs every single day. It’s your body’s ultimate multitasker: filtering toxins, balancing hormones, producing bile to digest fats, storing vitamins, and regulating energy. In short, if your liver’s unhappy, your whole system feels it. Here are some tips to keep your liver thriving for the long run. 1. Know What Your Liver Does Your liver filters your blood 24/7, removing waste, alcohol, and medications so your body doesn’t get overwhelmed. It also turns...

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Digestive Issues Related to Weight Loss Medications: What is Normal?

Written by cloakendagger on . Posted in Blog.

Digestive Issues Related to Weight Loss Medications: What’s Normal, What’s Not? Weight loss medications have surged in popularity over the past few years, with drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and other GLP-1s. Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, these medications have quickly gained traction for their appetite-suppressing, weight-shedding side effects. While these medications can be powerful tools for weight management, they often come with a less glamorous side effect: digestive issues. Let’s talk about what’s actually happening in your gut when you’re on one of...

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Oksana Aleksenko , MD

Written by cloakendagger on . Posted in Providers. 2 Comments on Oksana Aleksenko , MD

Dr. Aleksenko became fascinated with Gastroenterology as a specialty as a fourth-year medical student. She felt it was a perfect blend of intellectual stimulation and procedural skill. Her choice was reaffirmed after her father received the diagnosis of metastatic esophageal cancer. After successfully completing her Internal Medicine Residency, followed by Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellowship at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, KS and prior to joining Rapid City Medical Center in 2016, she worked as a general gastroenterologist in rural Kansas and North Dakota....

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