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Dr. Lauren Michele Bleich, MD, MPH

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Specializes in: Adult Gastroenterology

Tulane University School of Medicine (2007)

Professional interests include: acid reflux (GERD), flexible sigmoidoscopy, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, and more.

45 B Discovery Way
Acton, MA 01720

(978) 226-1351

Dr. Lauren Michele Bleich, MD, MPH is a gastroenterologist in Acton, MA specializing in adult gastroenterology. She graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 2007 and has 18 years of experience. Dr. Lauren Michele Bleich, MD, MPH is affiliated with Emerson Health, Gastro Health, Gastro Health - Acton, Emerson Hospital and MIDDLESEX GASTROENTEROLGY PC.

Office Locations

Address:

45 B Discovery Way
Acton, MA 01720

Some issues Dr. Lauren Michele Bleich, MD, MPH can help you with:

Anemia

Anemia is the most common blood disorder. It occurs when the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues. Blood loss, insufficient red blood cell production, and red blood cell destruction are the three main causes of anemia. These issues may arise from such conditions as iron deficiency, heavy periods, ulcers, kidney disease, as well as some forms of cancer.

An individual with anemia will have the following symptoms: shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, cold hands or feet, paleness, and irritability. Anemia is diagnosed when blood tests show low counts for hemoglobin, which is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen to different tissues throughout the body.

Treatments for anemia are dependent on the kind of anemia an individual has. For example, iron supplementation may correct iron deficiency anemia. For anemia caused by chronic kidney failure, chemotherapy treatments, and HIV/AIDS, a group of medications called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents may be prescribed.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is the use of a special tool called a colonoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end) to examine the inside of the colon and rectum. The tube is typically inserted anally, and it allows the physician to examine the large intestine from the inside. It may be done at any time to diagnose bowel problems, but routine colonoscopies are advised after the age of 50 to screen for colon cancer.

A colonoscopy may be performed to diagnose:

Intestinal ulcers
Polyps
Bowel cancer
An unidentified source of pain or bleeding in the intestine

Patients may be asked to drink only liquids in the days before a colonoscopy, or they may be given an enema to remove residual fecal matter. Before the exam, patients are given medication to help them relax, and then lay on their side on a table. The scope is inserted into the anus and gently moved all the way through the large intestine. Air may be pumped into the intestine to improve the view for the physician. Any polyps that are found will be removed. Then the colonoscope will be withdrawn. A colonoscopy is not usually painful, but patients may feel some bloating or have some cramps right afterward. If patients have polyps removed, they might experience a small amount of bleeding. Any side effects should go away within a few hours.

Gastrointestinal Problems (Digestive Disorders)

The gastrointestinal system, or GI tract, is the name given to a collection of organs that work together to digest food. These organs fit together in a long tube, running from the mouth to the anus, and include the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, among others. With so many parts working together, complicated by today's busy lifestyles and diets, digestive problems are common. As many as 1 in 3 Americans have a digestive or GI disorder. There are a huge variety of digestive problems, but the most common are IBS, constipation, GERD, hemorrhoids, and ulcers.

IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, happens when the muscles surrounding the colon contract too easily or frequently. The result is abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating. IBS attacks can often be brought on by specific triggers, so a key part of treatment is learning which foods trigger IBS attacks and avoiding them. Treatment also includes exercise, avoiding stress, and medications if needed.

Constipation, or large, hard, or infrequent stools, happens to everyone at some point. It can be caused by a disruption in routine or food, or by eating a diet without many fresh fruits and vegetables. Although it is uncomfortable, constipation is common and usually not serious, but it can sometimes become chronic. Adding fiber to the diet, exercising, and taking medications may help.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a severe form of chronic heartburn where stomach acid spills back up into the esophagus. Left untreated, the acid may even eat away at the esophagus and cause serious damage. Treatment includes changing the diet to avoid trigger foods, losing weight if needed, medications, or even surgery.

Hemorrhoids are blood vessels around the rectum that become irritated, swollen or torn while straining during a bowel movement. They are most often caused by constipation, but can also be caused by pregnancy, diarrhea, or simply a genetic predisposition towards hemorrhoids. Treatment involves first treating any constipation issues, then keeping the area clean and soothed until it has healed. If these measures are ineffective, surgery is sometimes used.

Peptic ulcers are sores or spots of inflammation in the lining of the stomach or close to the stomach in the small intestine. Usually this area is coated with a protective lining that shields the tissue from the strong stomach acid, but a break in the lining can let acid in, causing the sores. It used to be thought that stress caused ulcers, but now it is known that is not the case. Most often, they are caused by an infection by H. pylori bacteria, but ulcers can also be caused by alcohol abuse or overuse of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDS. The symptoms of an ulcer are pain, hunger, nausea, and fatigue.

Gastrointestinal problems, perhaps more than any other area, are markedly affected by lifestyle. Many disorders can be prevented or treated at least in part by eating a healthy diet high in fiber, exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and limiting alcohol intake. Still, the frequency of digestive disorders means that even the healthiest person can be affected by them. Anyone who notices blood in their stool, experiences abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or any significant change in bowel movements should see a doctor.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“Most insurance policies cover a screening colonoscopy for an average-risk patient every 10 years beginning at age 45, says Dr. Lauren Bleich, a gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Acton,...”—"How to Prepare for a Colonoscopy", Washington Top News, May 2024

“Dr. Lauren Bleich, a gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Acton, Massachusetts, told HuffPost that heartburn is a classic symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is usually...”—"5 Sneaky Eating Habits That Can Lead To Heartburn", Huff Post, April 2024

“Since your body is trying to remove the alcohol quickly, the colon - which is responsible for pulling water out of the digestive tract and reabsorbing it in the body to prevent dehydration...”—"So THAT'S Why Alcohol Makes You Poop Weird", Huff Post, February 2024

diagnostic procedures	83
doctor visit	42
gastrointestinal procedures	91
hospital care	88
inpatient care	88
minimally invasive procedures	91
preventive care	9
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	83

**Gender**
Male	60
Female	88

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	129
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	61
From 75 to 84	28
85 and over	25
Less than 65	34

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	39
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	30
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	30
Diabetes	33
Dementia	16
Cancer	14

diagnostic procedures	118
doctor visit	89
gastrointestinal procedures	154
hospital care	189
hydrogen breath test	14
inpatient care	189
methane breath test	14
minimally invasive procedures	154
preventive care	17
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	118

**Gender**
Male	194
Female	324

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	438
Black	0
Hispanic	56
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	180
From 75 to 84	130
85 and over	80
Less than 65	128

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	72
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	39
Depression	43
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	32
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	30
Diabetes	39
Dementia	15
Cancer	15

diagnostic procedures	88
doctor visit	129
emergency care	16
gastrointestinal procedures	109
hospital care	144
inpatient care	144
minimally invasive procedures	109
preventive care	22
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	88

**Gender**
Male	76
Female	190

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	221
Black	0
Hispanic	24
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	113
From 75 to 84	64
85 and over	40
Less than 65	49

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	27
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	31
Dementia	20
Cancer	15

diagnostic procedures	65
doctor visit	128
gastrointestinal procedures	62
hospital care	69
hydrogen breath test	13
inpatient care	69
methane breath test	13
minimally invasive procedures	62
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	65

**Gender**
Male	56
Female	151

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	190
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	76
From 75 to 84	67
85 and over	26
Less than 65	38

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	20
Dementia	14
Cancer	11

diagnostic procedures	56
doctor visit	120
gastrointestinal procedures	53
hospital care	79
inpatient care	79
minimally invasive procedures	53
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	56

**Gender**
Male	48
Female	158

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	187
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	88
From 75 to 84	59
85 and over	31
Less than 65	28

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	35
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	18
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	23
Dementia	16
Cancer	12

diagnostic procedures	110
doctor visit	150
gastrointestinal procedures	107
hospital care	88
inpatient care	88
minimally invasive procedures	107
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	110

**Gender**
Male	51
Female	176

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	214
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	110
From 75 to 84	50
85 and over	41
Less than 65	26

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	19
Dementia	9
Cancer	13

diagnostic procedures	79
doctor visit	163
gastrointestinal procedures	76
hospital care	85
inpatient care	85
minimally invasive procedures	76
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	79

**Gender**
Male	62
Female	176

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	223
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	118
From 75 to 84	65
85 and over	25
Less than 65	30

Hypertension	55
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	20
Dementia	10
Cancer	14

diagnostic procedures	320
doctor visit	409
gastrointestinal procedures	365
hospital care	223
inpatient care	223
minimally invasive procedures	365
preventive care	32
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	320

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2014 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Lauren Michele Bleich, MD, MPH for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Lauren Michele Bleich, MD, MPH treated as a gastroenterologist in Acton, MA were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, hospital care and inpatient care.

diagnostic procedures	115
doctor visit	155
emergency care	16
gastrointestinal procedures	129
hospital care	120
hydrogen breath test	13
inpatient care	120
methane breath test	13
minimally invasive procedures	129
preventive care	21
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	115

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2014 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Lauren Michele Bleich, MD, MPH.

**Gender**
Female	126
Male	54

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	160
Hispanic	8
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	26
75 to 84	46
Less than 65	33
65 to 74	74

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Lauren Michele Bleich, MD, MPH From 2014 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Lauren Michele Bleich, MD, MPH treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	45
High Cholesterol	38
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	11
Osteoporosis	8
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	18
Atrial Fibrillation	10
Dementia	10
Cancer	9

Education & Training

Dr. Lauren Michele Bleich, MD, MPH graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 2007. She completed residency at Lahey Clinic. She is certified by the Board Certification: Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and has a state license in Massachusetts.

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine (2007)

Residency: Lahey Clinic

Board Certification: Board Certification: Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology

Licensed In: Massachusetts

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Lauren Michele Bleich, MD, MPH is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Emerson Health

Gastro Health

Gastro Health - Acton

Emerson Hospital

MIDDLESEX GASTROENTEROLGY PC

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Lauren Michele Bleich, MD, MPH. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC	$1,469 XIFAXAN $1,106	Trulance $200	UCERIS TABLETS $79	XIFIXAN $60	Uceris $24
AbbVie Inc.	$1,220 Rinvoq $412	Skyrizi $382	LINZESS $330	Humira $60	Mavyret $21	Other $16
AbbVie, Inc.	$1,039 Humira $670	Creon $154	Mavyret $37	Viekira $22	$156
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.	$825 ENTYVIO $588	GATTEX $105	AMITIZA $82	Dexilant $50
Janssen Biotech, Inc.	$692 STELARA $607	REMICADE $53	SIMPONI ARIA $32
Other	$4,002 DUPIXENT $448	ZEPOSIA $392	XIFAXAN $217	XELJANZ $184	LINZESS $131	Other $2,631

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$9,143
Education	$105

Biography

Dr. Lauren Bleich, who practices in Acton, MA, is a medical specialist in adult gastroenterology. Her clinical interests include indigestion, anemia, and crohn's disease. She is affiliated with Emerson Health and Gastro Health. After completing medical school at Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Bleich performed her residency at Lahey Clinic. She has received professional recognition including the following: Boston Magazine Top Doctor.