Having Difficulty with Digestion?

Whether your symptoms are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, bloating or stomach cramps, our gastroenterologists can help.

Digestive disorders range from upset stomach to colon-rectal cancer. They affect different organs along the digestive tract, including the mouth, esophagus, throat, stomach and intestines, as well as the liver, pancreas and gallbladder.

Gastroenterologists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive problems. At our Center for Digestive Disorders, our gastroenterologists work alongside a team of nurses, colon-rectal surgeons and anesthesia specialists to diagnose some of the most common digestive disorders listed below, as well as more rare disorders.

Functional Bowel Disorders

These are the most common digestive disorders, affecting millions of people of all ages. They may include abdominal bloating, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain. The correct diagnosis may take time, because the cause of a functional disorder does not show up in a blood test or an X-ray.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) interferes with the normal function of the large intestine (colon). It is characterized by a group of symptoms—cramps and abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea—but can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary widely. Treatment involves eating a high-fiber diet of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine, dairy products and foods high in fat.

• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are lifelong disorders that cause swelling or ulcers in the small and large intestines. Often IBD is classified as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease:
  • Ulcerative colitis causes ulcers and swelling of the lining of the colon and rectum in the lower part of the digestive tract. The most common symptoms include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite and rectal bleeding. Treatment may include a special diet, intravenous (IV) feedings, medications or, sometimes, surgery.
  • Crohn's disease causes irritation and swelling that extends into the deeper layers of the intestinal wall. It also may affect other parts of the digestive tract, including the mouth, throat, stomach, and small intestine.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or heartburn is caused when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus in the throat. Common symptoms include chest pain, coughing or choking while lying down. GERD is the result of a condition called hiatal hernia which happens when the muscle that keeps food in the stomach relaxes too much. In many cases, heartburn can be relieved through diet and lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking and losing weight.

Celiac disease is a hereditary disorder that damages the small intestine. It is caused by a sensitivity to gluten which is found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. This disorder interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food. Fortunately, it can be controlled by adopting a gluten-free diet.

Functional Esophageal Disorders include:

• The sensation of a lump in the throat (globus)
• An eating disorder in which an infant or young child brings back up and rechews partially digested food that has already been swallowed (rumination syndrome)
• Chest pain
• Heartburn
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

Functional Stomach (Gastroduodenal) Disorders include:

• Upset stomach (dyspepsia)
• Gas or bloating (aerophagia)
• Vomiting

Functional Disorders of Biliary Tract and Pancreas include:

• Gall bladder dysfunction
• A disorder in the valve that releases bile into the intestine (sphincter of oddi dysfunction)

Functional Disorders of Anus and Rectum include:

• The inability to control the passage of waste materials from the body (functional fecal incontinence)
• Pain

Intestinal Dismotility occurs when nerves or muscles in the digestive tract do not function in a strong, coordinated fashion. This causes problems related to the movements of the digestive system, or gastrointestinal motility. Symptoms range from heartburn to constipation.

Hepatitis is a swelling and irritation of the liver, resulting in liver cell damage and destruction. Our gastroenterologists partner with primary care physicians and other specialists to help if you are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B or C. Their goal is to stop the spread of the disease, provide antiviral therapy and treat complications.

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