Gastroenterology
The Gastroenterology Center is comprised of physicians highly trained and board certified in gastroenterology to offer you the highest quality of care. The physicians provide modern diagnostic and therapeutic assessment of diseases of the digestive system including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, and biliary tract.
The Gastroenterology Center’s physicians and staff possess extensive knowledge in all aspects of digestive health to prevent, diagnose, and treat with a patient-focused approach. The gastroenterologists treat diseases and disorders of the upper and lower GI tract and perform preventative screenings for colorectal cancer.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is a procedure designed to look at the last 5 to 6 feet of the digestive tract. After informed consent and sedation, a scope is passed through the rectum and advanced to the junction of the small and large bowel, near the appendix.
Colonoscopy can look for colon cancer, and remove Polyps (growths of abnormal tissue) using forceps or snare. The procedure can also be used to stop bleeding, and take biopsies for the cause of diarrhea. Occasionally, a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy is substituted– this requires less preparation, but is less complete.
EGD
The EGD is a type of procedure that looks directly at the upper digestive tract. After the patient is sedated, the scope is passed from the esophagus into the stomach and down to the duodenum. Looking at the biliary tree (not shown) requires a special scope called an ERCP.
EGD evaluation looks for inflammation, cancer and changes leading to cancer (see Barrett’s Esophagus) in the upper digestive tract. During EGD, the walls can be sampled using forceps, bleeding ulcers treated, blockages of food removed, and feeding tubes placed, if needed.