If you're having problems with your digestive system, such as GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux), you're in good company. Sixty to seventy million people are affected by problems related to digestion. The digestive system is the engine that supports your body by delivering and absorbing needed nutrients.
This system and the troubles that can plague it are the focus of The Polyclinic gastroenterology department physicians. These physicians specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the gastrointestinal organs, including the stomach, intestine, colon, liver, pancreas and gallbladder.
Our gastroenterology (GI) department provides care for a wide variety of gastrointestinal problems, including those of the:
In addition to diagnosis and treatment of disease, The Polyclinic gastroenterologists also perform screening examinations to prevent diseases such as colorectal cancer, the second leading cancer-killer in the United States. The most common diagnostic procedures performed by gastroenterologists include:
- Colonoscopy, the test of choice to screen for colon cancer and to remove colon polyps which could become malignant.
- EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), a procedure to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine.
- ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), the use of an endoscope and x-ray to examine the bile duct and pancreatic duct.
- BRAVO Ph Monitoring, an innovative, catheter free ambulatory system that provides information about the duration, pattern and symptom correlation of distal esophageal acid exposure from gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD). Such information is often highly useful to make decisions about the medical and surgical management of these patients. This advance monitoring system is part of the care offered for patients with GERD.
All of our gastroenterologists are board certified and highly skilled in the performance of these and other gastrointestinal procedures.
Statistics from: www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/statistics and www.gastro.org/index
