Gastrointestinal Disease Information

Disease Information

Our Physicians provide a variety of patient services. They manage many conditions, including:

Achalasia

A rare disease in the esophagus caused by increased spasticity or narrowing of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Aspiration Pneumonia

Pneumonia (lung infection) caused by reflux or regurgitation of ingested food that is inhaled into the lungs.

Barrett's Esophagus

Abnormal growth of cells in the lower portion of the esophagus bordering the stomach.

Celiac Disease

A disease of the small intestines due to a sensitivity to foods with gluten, resulting in damage to the small intestines.

Chronic Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis becomes chronic when it lasts for more then 6 months. Majority of patients will be asymptomatic, or mildly symptomatic, abnormal blood tests may be the only thing that shows Hepatitis in some patients.

Cirrhosis of the Liver

Abnormal structure or function of the liver, which can lead to a full loss of liver function. A patient with cirrhosis may have a variety of symptoms, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), fatigue, weakness, itching, bruising, loss of appetite, etc.

Collagenous Colitis

Inflammatory condition of the colon that causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and dehydration.

Colorectal Polyps

A growth that protrudes out of the lining of the rectum or colon. Polyps are usually benign, but over time they may become cancerous.

Colostomy

An opening into the colon from the outside of the body. A colostomy provides a new path for waste material to leave the body after part of the colon has been removed.

Constipation

Infrequent stools, hard stool, and difficulty passing stool are all characteristics of a classic case of constipation. The causes of this condition are numerous and varied.

Crohn's Disease

Inflammation of the intestines, it can affected any portion of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. It is also often referred to as irritable bowel disease.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of the pockets found in the colon and large intestine. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, fever and rectal bleeding.

Diverticulosis

Small pockets (diverticula) that develop in the walls of the large intestines and colon wall.

Esophagitis

Inflammation of the esophagus that can form due to an infection or irritation in the lining of the esophagus.

Fatty liver (Steatohepatitis)

Fatty liver is a buildup of triglyceride fat in liver cells. A fatty liver usually causes no damage by itself, but it can lead to inflammation of the liver or cirrhosis if other problems exist.

Gallstones

Small pebble-like substances that form in the gallbladder and can block the normal flow of bile resulting in inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).

Gastritis

Inflammation in the lining of the stomach. This may be caused by multiple factors such as bacteria (Helicobacter Pylori) and medications such as aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs.

GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease)

Reflux or retrograde flow of gastric acid into the esophagus. In simpler terms this can be characterized by the feeling of heartburn, though it should be taken seriously.

Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori)

Common bacteria that selectively lives in the stomach. Most common cause of gastritis and gastric/duodenal ulcers.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are veins in the rectum that can become inflamed, causing pain, itching, and rectal bleeding.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an Inflammation of the liver. May be caused by infection (viruses), medications, and immune system disorders.

Hiatus Hernia

A hernia in which an anatomical part (as the stomach) protrudes through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and alterations of bowel habits.

Lactose Intolerance

The inability to digest lactose, a form of sugar found in milk and milk products. It is a fairly common ailment that is caused in large part by genetic predispositions.

Lymphocytic Colitis

Inflammatory condition of the colon that causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and dehydration. This is a rare condition and most commonly yields watery, non-bloody diarrhea.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas. It can be characterized by severe upper abdominal pain that is strong enough to be felt clean through the back.

Peptic Ulcer

An erosion or hole in the lining of the stomach, duodenum or any anatomic location. May be called stomach ulcers, duodenum ulcers depending on its location.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

It is an autoimmune disease of the liver where by inflammation of the small bile ducts in the liver occurs.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

PSC is a chronic liver disease caused by inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts in the liver.

Stricture

A circumscribed narrowing that may occur in any part of the intestinal tract and slow or stop the passage of food or waste materials.

Ulcerative Colitis

Chronic inflammation of the colon that produces ulcers in its lining.

General Resources

• Digestive Health Tips, American College of Gastroenterology

• Overview of Digestive Diseases, The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

• Your Digestive System and How it Works, American Gastroenterological Association

• Atlas of the Human Body, American Medical Association

• Choosing and Using a Health Plan, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

• Healthfinder: Index of Medical Resources, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• Medical News, Reuters

• PubMed - Medline Access, National Library of Medicine

Medical Organizations

• American College of Gastroenterology

• American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

• American Liver Foundation

• Celiac Sprue Association

• Crohn's and Colitis Foundation

• Hepatitis B Foundation

Dictionary

Aspiration Pneumonia

Pneumonia caused by reflux inhaled into the lungs.

Barium Enema

A procedure in which a liquid with barium in it is put into the rectum and colon by way of the anus. Barium is a silver-white metallic compound that helps to show the image of the lower gastrointestinal tract on an x-ray.

Colonoscopy

An examination of the inside of the colon using a thin, lighted tube (called a colonoscope) inserted into the rectum. If abnormal areas are seen, tissue can be removed and examined under a microscope to determine whether disease is present.

Colostomy

An opening into the colon from the outside of the body. A colostomy provides a new path for waste material to leave the body after part of the colon has been removed.

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a diagnostic test wherein a thin, flexible tube is swallowed by the patient to allow the physician to directly inspect the lining of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Esophagitis

Inflammation of the esophagus.

Galactosemia

An inherited metabolic disorder in which galactose accumulates in the blood due to deficiency of an enzyme catalyzing its conversion to glucose.

Hemochromatosis

A disorder of iron metabolism that occurs usually in males and that is characterized by a bronze color of the skin due to deposition of iron-containing pigments in the tissues and frequently by diabetes and weakness.

Hiatal hernia

A hernia in which an anatomical part (as the stomach) protrudes through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm.

Interstitial fibrosis

The formation of a fibrous tissue in spaces between cells or groups of cells.

Nissen Fundoplication

A surgical technique that strengthens the barrier to acid reflux when the lower esophageal sphincter does not work normally and there is gastro-esophageal reflux.

Primary schlerosing cholangitis

Inflammation of one or more bile ducts.

Sigmoidoscopy

Inspection of the lower colon using a thin, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope. Samples of tissue or cells may be collected for examination under a microscope. Also called proctosigmoidoscopy.

Stricture

A circumscribed narrowing of the esophagus.

Ulcerative Colitis

Chronic inflammation of the colon that produces ulcers in its lining. This condition is marked by abdominal pain, cramps, and loose discharges of pus, blood, and mucus from the bowel.