Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology is a medical specialty that focuses on the stomach, digestive tract (small and large intestines), gall bladder, liver, bile ducts and pancreas. These organs work together as a complex system to move food through our bodies, digest and absorb nutrients, and discard waste.
Community Memorial’s gastroenterologists are specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a number of diseases and conditions affecting the digestive system and associated organs. They diagnose and treat a range of problems.
- Abdominal pain
- Bowel incontinence
- Cancer of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Colitis and other colon disorders
- Colon cancer
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Diverticular disease
- Hepatitis diagnosis and management
- Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Gallbladder stones
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Pancreatic disease
- Polyps
- Rectal bleeding
- Ulcers
Procedures
A gastroenterologist performs procedures to look inside the digestive system to screen for, and treat, diseases and conditions of the digestive organs. Most of these procedures are done in a Gastrointestinal Lab (GI) using an endoscope.
Endoscopes are tiny, flexible tubes equipped with lights and cameras that are inserted into the mouth or rectum. They are used to screen for cancer, collect tissue samples, and perform minimally invasive treatments such as polyp removals.
Common procedures performed by our gastroenterologists are:
- Colonoscopy: Colonoscopy is a painless procedure in which an endoscope is introduced through the rectum and used to examine the inside of the colon. It is the most effective and widely accepted means of screening for colon cancer.
- Breath Tests: A breath test may be performed to diagnose lactose intolerance or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): ERCP combines X-ray technology and an endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract to look at the bile and pancreatic ducts. ERCP may be prescribed if your ducts have become blocked due to gall stones, pancreatitis, infection, or surgical complications.
- Esophageal Dilation: Esophageal dilation is a procedure that allows a gastroenterologist to gently stretch the esophagus. It is often performed to help relieve narrowing of the esophagus and difficulty swallowing due to scarring, cancer, or other conditions.
- Esophageal Testing: Esophageal testing is performed to determine if your esophagus is working correctly to push food into your stomach.
- Gall Stone Removal: Gall stones can make their way into the gall and bile ducts, causing obstructions. These types of gall stones can be removed using an endoscope. If you have gall stones in your gall bladder, your physician may refer you for a cholecystectomy, or gall bladder removal surgery.
- Polyp Removal: Polyp removal is a painless procedure performed under conscious sedation using an endoscope. If polyps are found during your routine colonoscopy, your gastroenterologist will usually remove them during your procedure. If necessary, a biopsy of the polyp will be performed.
