The Most Common We See In Our Practice

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

  A condition in which stomach content refluxes into the food (esophagus) and the person may feel burning or discomfort in the chest. This may be accentuated by reflux of acid with or without bile. It may injure the esophageal lining and lead to scaring. It may change into abnormal mucosa which can lead to cancer. Upper endoscopy (EGD) is performed when the person has poor response to medication or has chronic symptoms and has not been viewed in the past.

• Barrett's Esophagus

  A condition in which the esophageal lining changes into an abnormal mucosa which can lead to cancer. It is felt to be from chronic reflux of the stomach content but not necessarily acid. It may be silent in nature. Upper endoscopy (EGD) can detect this change and is done when a person has chronic reflux symptoms . It cannot be detected early with CT scan, upper G.I. series, or esophagram.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  IBS This is a functional bowel disorder that is not technically a disease but more a cluster of symptoms. Typically, people who suffer with this have abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, diarrhea (or both). This disorder can have both mental and physical causes.

  IBS can be grouped into four sub-types.
  1. IBS-C (Constipation)
  2. IBS-D (Diarrhea)
  3. IBS-M (Mixed)
  4. IBS-U (unsubtyped)
  

• Gallstones

  Abnormal hard material that forms in the gallbladder usually made up of cholesterol which can cause pain in the upper abdomen if it becomes stuck in the gallbladder outlet. The gallbladder may not require removal unless there is infection or symptoms. A specialized test ERCP may aid in the diagnosis and treatment of stones that become lodged in the gallbladder duct.

• Colitis

  Colitis is a swelling or inflammation of the large intestine. The typical types of colitis are:

  1. Autoimmune
  2. Idiopathic
  3. Iatrogenic
  4. Vascular Disease
  5. Infectious
  

• Celiac Disease

  Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks gluten (a type of protein found in foods like bread, crackers, pasta, etc.). People with this condition may suffer from iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, and failure to thrive.

  Typical symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, weakness, gas and bloating, and bowel movement changes.

• Crohn's Disease

• Diverticulosis

  A condition in which the upper layers (mucosa) herniate through the muscle wall of the intestines creating a pocket. These pockets can get infected and require antibiotics to prevent perforation of the intestinal wall and may require surgery. The infection is called diverticulitis. Keeping stools soft may help prevent these pockets from forming but the cause of infection is still unknown. Hemorrhage can also occur from these pockets.

• Duodenal Ulcer

• Dyspepsia

• Gastric Ulcer

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)