Conditions that Fall Under Gastroenterology

Abdominal pain is one of the most frequent forms of pain among adults and children. Pain in the stomach area can be as simple as a belly ache or it can be life-threatening.

Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder that makes it difficult for food and liquid to pass into your stomach.

Anorectal disease refers to ailments of the anus and/or rectum. The most common conditions include hemorrhoids, anal warts, anal fissures, anorectal abscesses and anal fistulas.

BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS

Barrett’s esophagus is a complication of chronic acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

CELIAC DISEASE & GLUTEN SENSITIVITY

Celiac disease is a genetic, autoimmune disorder in which consuming gluten leads to intestinal damage.

COLON & COLORECTAL CANCER

Colon cancer forms in the lining of the colon. Rectal cancer forms in the lining of the rectum, the last several inches of the large intestine terminating in the anus. Either of these cancers is called colorectal cancer.

CROHN’S DISEASE

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This chronic disorder causes inflammation in the digestive tract, also known as the GI tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding and other symptoms.

DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING (DYSPHAGIA)

Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia, is the feeling of food “sticking” in your throat or chest and is one of the complications of acid reflux/GERD.

DIVERTICULOSIS & DIVERTICULITIS

Diverticulosis is a condition when small pouches, called diverticula, form in the wall of the colon. This becomes more common as people get older. About half of people over the age of 60 have diverticulosis. A low-fiber diet can exert more pressure on the colon during bowel movements, which can cause these pouches to form. Diverticulosis does not cause any symptoms until the pouches become inflamed or infected resulting in diverticulitis. These two conditions together are called diverticular disease.

ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Esophageal cancer is cancer that occurs in the esophagus, the long, hollow tube that runs from your throat to your stomach. Esophageal cancer begins in the cells that line the esophagus and can occur anywhere in the esophagus.

ESOPHAGITIS & STRICTURE

Esophagitis is a general term for any inflammation, irritation or swelling of the esophagus, which is the tube that leads from the back of the mouth to the stomach.

FECAL INCONTINENCE

Sometimes referred to as bowel incontinence or anal incontinence, fecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements, causing an unintentional passing of solid or liquid stool or mucus from the rectum.

GALLSTONES

Gallstones are pieces of solid material that form within the gallbladder, a small organ located under the liver. You might not even know you have them until they block a bile duct, causing intense pain that requires immediate attention.

GASTROINTESTINAL & GASTROENTEROLOGIST

The term gastrointestinal (GI) refers collectively to the organs of the body that play a part in food digestion. A gastroenterologist is an internal medicine physician who has undergone additional education and training to specialize in gastroenterology, or the treatment of diseases in the gastrointestinal tract and liver.

HEARTBURN & ACID REFLUX

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. This may cause heartburn and may ultimately cause damage to the lining of the esophagus. GERD, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, is when a person experiences chronic acid reflux.

HELICOBACTER PYLORI (STOMACH INFECTION)

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that causes inflammation of the stomach, chronic gastritis, and ulcers in the stomach or small intestine.

HEMORRHOIDS

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your colon and lower rectum. Hemorrhoids have various causes, albeit regularly the cause is obscure.

HEPATITIS

Hepatitis literally means “inflammation of the liver.” Hepatitis is a viral disease which targets the liver and includes several strains, but the most common types of viral hepatitis in the United States are hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

HERNIAS

A hernia develops when an organ or tissue pushes through a weakened area in an adjacent muscle or connective tissue. Hernias are caused by a combination of pressure and an opening or weakness.

HIATIAL HERNIA

A hiatal hernia is a hernia that develops when the stomach moves above the diaphragm.

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is a general term that reflects an abnormal immune response resulting in inflammation of the intestinal tract.

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

A colonoscopy is a visual examination of the entire large intestine, also known as the colon. This exam is used to explore possible causes of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea and other intestinal problems. A colonoscopy is also used as a method of screening for colon cancer.

LIVER DISEASE

Liver disease, also called hepatic disease, refers to a number of diseases that may affect the liver and its function. The liver plays a role in the production of bile, blood-clotting factors and amino acids, and aids in the processing and storage of iron for red blood cell production.

PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE (PUD)

A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach or first part of the small intestine called the duodenum. When an individual has chronic peptic ulcers, it is known as peptic ulcer disease (PUD).

RECTAL BLEEDING

Rectal bleeding should be viewed as a symptom and not a disorder itself. Most rectal bleeding is associated with a condition that can be treated.

REFLUX ESOPHAGITIS

Reflux esophagitis is one of the complications that can come from having chronic heartburn and acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Esophagitis is inflammation that damages the lining of the esophagus and often causes painful or difficult swallowing and chest pain.

SILENT REFLUX (LARYNGOPHARYNGEAL REFLUX)

Laryngopharyngeal reflux, also known as “silent reflux,” is another possible complication that may develop with chronic heartburn and acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

STOMACH PROBLEMS & SWALLOWING PROBLEMS

Most people have experienced some type of stomach problem or discomfort in their lifetime. A person experiencing swallowing problems, which is called dysphagia, may have difficulty swallowing foods or liquids.

STOMACH ULCERS

An ulcer is a disruption of the surface of the skin or a mucus membrane, which results in an open sore that may heal very slowly. Ulcers can develop on many areas of the body but the most common ulcers are found in the gastrointestinal tract.

STRICTURES

Strictures act as a barrier and can eventually prevent food and even liquids from making their way down the esophagus and into the stomach. Eighty percent of esophageal strictures are related to GERD.

ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the lining of the rectum and colon.