Gastroenterology

What Are The Common Causes Of Abdominal Pain? Patients often have difficulty describing abdominal pain. It can present as any form of discomfort between the chest and the pelvis....

What Is An Ultrasound? Ultrasound is a simple, safe, painless diagnostic procedure that bounces high-frequency sound waves off parts of the body and captures the returning “echoes” as images....

What is Acid Reflux? When we swallow food or liquids they pass through our esophagus and into the stomach. In between the esophagus and stomach is a muscle called...

What is an Anal Fissure? An anal fissure is a small tear or cut in the tissue that lines the anus. There is thin, delicate tissue called mucosa that...

What is Anorectal Manometry? Anorectal manometry is a test that is performed to evaluate the reflexes and strength of the muscles needed for performance of a normal bowel movement....

What Is Argon Laser Therapy? An argon laser is a device that uses argon gas and produces a beam of light with a wavelength that is absorbed only by...

The AspireAssist® is a non-surgical weight-loss method that helps people lose weight by reducing the amount of calories the body absorbs. It is made for adults aged 22 or...

What Is Barium? Barium is an iodinated (iodine containing) contrast agent that is orally ingested to coat the intestinal tract. Thereafter, sequential x-ray images can be taken of the...

What is Barrett’s Esophagus? Barrett’s esophagus is a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Barrett’s Esophagus occurs when the normal tissue that lines the esophagus changes to resemble the tissue...

What is a Biliary Obstruction? The biliary system is a series of ducts that helps transport bile from your liver to your gallbladder, and then to your small intestine...

What does blood in my stool mean? Blood in the stool means that there is bleeding somewhere in your digestive tract. There are a handful of possible causes of...

What Causes Bloating? Bloating commonly occurs due to the buildup of gas in the digestive tract, or retention of fluid. Understanding the causes of bloating can help you know...

What is C. Difficile Colitis? Colitis refers to any time that the colon becomes inflamed. C. Difficile stands for clostridium difficile, also known as clostridioides difficile and is a...

What Is A Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy? A small bowel capsule endoscopy is an endoscopic procedure where a pill capsule, which has a camera and a battery in it,...

What Is Celiac Disease? Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the body when you consume gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When...

What Is Colitis? Colitis is a condition that refers to the general inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. Although Ulcerative Colitis is sometimes called colitis they are...

What Is Colon Cancer? The colon is the last part of the digestive system where the body extracts water and salt from solid waste. Colon cancer occurs when tumorous...

What Is A Colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure where a long, thin, flexible tube or “scope” is placed into the rectum and advanced through the entire colon...

What are Colorectal Polyps? Colorectal polyps, sometimes referred to as colon polyps, are a common occurrence in the United States. The term “colorectal” refers to the colon and the...

What Causes Constipation? Constipation is usually described as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week. Constipation occurs when the stool becomes too hard and dry. Your stool...

What is Crohn’s Disease? Crohn’s Disease is a part of a group of conditions called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes uncomfortable inflammation of your digestive tract, namely your...

What Is Computed Tomography? Computed Tomography, also referred to as a CT or CAT scan, is an advanced radiological imaging modality in which an x-ray beam rotates around the...

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) is a condition that occurs most commonly in young children, but can occur at any age. This condition involves repeated vomiting, or cycles of vomiting,...

What Is Diarrhea? Diarrhea can be defined as loose, watery bowel movements and usually happen more often than normal bowel movements. Having loose stools three times a day or...

What Is Diverticulitis? Diverticulitis is a condition that could follow in a person with diverticulosis. Diverticulosis is a condition where small pouches or pockets called diverticula bulge through the...

What Is Diverticulosis? Diverticulosis is a disease where small pouches of your intestine bulge outward through the outer lining of the colon. While these pouches called diverticula can present...

What is Dysphagia? Dysphagia is a term used to describe someone’s inability or difficulty to swallow food or liquid. There are several reasons why someone might experience dysphagia. It...

What Is Encopresis? Encopresis or fecal incontinence is when one passed the age of toilet training frequently passes stool into their clothing. Encopresis is typically diagnosed as a medical...

What is Endoscopic Mucosal Resection? Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is an outpatient procedure that lets physicians remove tumors just beneath the gastrointestinal (GI) wall without surgery. Using an endoscope,...

What Is An Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)? An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an endoscopic procedure where a long, thin, flexible tube or “scope” is placed into either the mouth and...

What Is An Enteroscopy? An enteroscopy is an endoscopic procedure where a long, thin, flexible tube or “scope” is placed into the mouth and advanced to the jejunum (the...

What Is Eosinophilic Esophagitis? Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is an inflammatory disease of the esophagus. When a certain type of white blood cell called eosinophil builds up in the lining...

What Is An ERCP? An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an endoscopic procedure where a long, thin, flexible tube or “scope” is placed into the mouth and advanced to...

What is Esophageal Dilation? Esophageal dilation is a procedure in which your doctor will dilate (stretch out) a narrowed or blocked area of your esophagus. Esophageal dilation is typically...

What Is Esophageal Impedance Testing? Esophageal impedance testing is also referred to as esophageal 24-hour impedance reflux monitoring. An esophageal impedance test measures the amount of acidic and non-acidic...

What Is An Esophageal Motility Study? An esophageal motility study is a test designed to assess the contractile properties of the esophagus. To perform the procedure, a thin and...

What is Esophageal Motility Disorder? Esophageal motility disorder, or esophageal dysmotility, is a condition where the muscles in your esophagus fail to contract and the esophagus does not properly...

What Is Esophagitis? Esophagitis is the general term for inflammation of the esophagus, the tube that delivers food from your mouth to your stomach. Esophagitis can have several underlying...

What Is An Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)? An esophagogastroduodenoscopy is an endoscopic procedure where a long, thin, flexible tube or “scope” is placed into the mouth and advanced to the duodenum...

What Is Fatty Liver Disease? There are two main types of fatty liver disease- nonalcoholic (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease is a condition in which...

What Is A Fecal Transplant? A fecal transplant, also known as fecal bacteriotherapy, is a transplant of stool from one person to another. This process allows good bacteria to...

What is Feeding Tube Insertion (PEG)? Feeding tube insertion, or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), is a procedure in which a tube is placed directly into the stomach. The tube...

What is FibroScan? FibroScan is a technology used by doctors to non-invasively examine your liver. The scan utilizes a specialized ultrasound machine to measure the state of fibrosis and...

What is a Fistula? The term fistula refers to an abnormal connection between two hollow organs in the body. Fistulae can occur as a result of injury or disease...

What Is A Flexible Sigmoidoscopy? A flexible sigmoidoscopy is an endoscopic procedure where a long, thin, flexible tube or “scope” is placed into the rectum and advanced through the...

What Is Gallbladder Disease? The gallbladder is an organ that stores and releases bile to aid in digestion. The term gallbladder disease is used to describe various issues and...

What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery? Gastric Sleeve Surgery is a procedure where your gastroenterologist will remove up to 80% of your stomach and join the remaining portions together to...

What Is Gastritis? Gastritis is a term that generally describes the inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the lining of the stomach. Gastritis or stomach inflammation can increase the risk...

What Is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)? Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is a term to describe the common experience of acid reflux in an individual. Acid reflux typically refers...

What Is H. Pylori? Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) is a specific type of bacteria, found in the stomach, that mainly affects your digestive system. Most people never get sick...

What Is Hemorrhoid Banding? Hemorrhoids are inflamed veins in your lower rectum or your anus. A hemorrhoid can occur within your rectum (internally) or on your anus (externally). It...

What Are Hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids, or piles, are inflamed veins in your lower rectum or your anus. It typically occurs when the vein walls in your rectum or anus become...

What is Hepatitis? Hepatitis at its most basic definition is an inflammation of the liver.  Most commonly heard of, are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. These three...

What is a Hiatal Hernia? Hiatal hernias are common in the United States. Your esophagus (food tube) passes through a small opening in your diaphragm before it attaches to...

What Is A HIDA Scan? HIDA stands for, hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid. A HIDA scan is considered nuclear medicine because of the use of a radioactive tracer to perform the...

What is IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)? Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a general term to describe inflammation in your digestive tract. IBD can be categorized into two similar but...

What is IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be best categorized as a group of chronic symptoms that occur within your digestive system. These symptoms can...

What Is Infusion Therapy? Some gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis require that you receive medication intravenously from time to time. This is carried out through intravenous...

What is Iron Deficiency Anemia? Generally, anemia is when your blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells and therefore cannot carry adequate oxygen to the body. Iron...

What is Lactose Intolerance? Lactose intolerance is very common in the United States. Lactose is the main carbohydrate in milk and other dairy products. Your body can be “intolerant”...

What Is A Liver Biopsy? A liver biopsy is a procedure that involves obtaining a small piece of liver tissue, which is then analyzed in the laboratory. It may...

What Is Liver Cirrhosis? The liver is an organ that performs many important functions in the body including filtering the blood of harmful toxins and breaking down fat. Liver...

What is Luminal Stent Placement? Luminal stent placement refers to the insertion of a stent into the internal gastrointestinal (GI) tract. “Luminal” refers to an open space or cavity...

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) What Is MRI? Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is another way of producing precise images of the body’s...

NASH or Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is also characterized by the build-up of fat in the liver that is accompanied by inflammation.  Often found in patients who are overweight, have diabetes...

The Orbera Intragastric Balloon is a weight loss aid for adults who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 40, and who have trouble losing weight with...

OverStitch™ is a minimally invasive technique designed to reduce the volume of the stomach to assist with weight loss. The procedure is performed through a thin, flexible tube called...

What Is Pancreatic Cancer? Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the most common type of pancreatic cancer. Most of the pancreas is made up of exocrine cells which from the exocrine glands...

What Is Pancreatitis? The pancreas is a large gland that aids in the digestive process. It releases powerful digestive enzymes into the small intestine to help digest food and...

What Is PBC (Primary Biliary Cholangitis)? Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), formerly known as primary biliary cirrhosis, is a rare chronic liver disease. PBC is a progressive autoimmune disease that...

What are Peptic Ulcers? Peptic ulcers are open sores in your stomach (gastric ulcer) or upper small intestine (duodenal ulcer) that can cause pain, discomfort, and bleeding. The cells...

What is PSC (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis)? Primary sclerosing cholangitis is similar to PBC (primary biliary cholangitis) but it affects the bile ducts inside and outside the liver. It causes...

What is Radiofrequency Ablation? Radiofrequency ablation is a pain-management, and treatment technique. The procedure uses an electrical current from a radio wave focused on a small area of tissue,...

What Is A SmartPill? The SmartPill is a small capsule that your gastroenterologist uses to monitor PH, pressure, transit time, and temperature throughout your entire GI tract. The small...

What is Stretta Therapy? Stretta Therapy is an excellent option for patients that have failed or are intolerant of drug therapy, offering an alternative to invasive surgery or georighn...

The Obalon Balloon System is an effective weight loss alternative for people who either don’t want or don’t qualify for weight loss surgery. Please note that the Obalon Balloon...

What Is TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition)? Total parenteral nutrition is a form of feeding your body the nutrients it needs by bypassing your digestive system and feeding nutrient-rich liquid...

What is Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF)? Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) is a minimally invasive treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Fundoplication is a surgical procedure where the lining of...

What is Ulcerative Colitis? Ulcerative Colitis is a part of a larger grouping of conditions called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The condition causes uncomfortable inflammation of your digestive tract,...

WHAT IS A “VIRTUAL” COLONOSCOPY OR CT COLONOSCOPY? A CT colonoscopy is a CT scan of your abdomen after the colon has been gently filled with air. The scan...