Gastroenterology

A gastroenterologist is a specialist in gastrointestinal diseases. Gastroenterologists treat all the organs in your digestive system, including your GI tract (esophagus, stomach and intestines) and biliary organs (your liver, bile ducts, pancreas and gallbladder.) They complete three years of medical residency after medical school, treating all kinds of diseases and conditions. To become gastroenterologists, they complete three years of additional study after that. Then they receive a special certification. This certification designates them as experts in gastrointestinal diseases and conditions. It also qualifies them to perform certain exams and procedures that general physicians don’t, and to interpret the results.

Initial or new patient visit - Gastroenterology

includes...... but laboratory tests and pathology billed separately by respective centers

follow up visit or established patient

to review progress +/- outside tests

anoscopy

A small tube is inserted into the anus to inspect the lining. There maybe some slight discomfort.

flexible sigmoidoscopy

A small flexible telescope is inserted into the anus to examine the rectum and lower large (sigmoid) colon.

G-tube replacement

A G-tube or gastrostomy tube is a tube that gives direct access to the stomach. It may need to be replaced after several months.

H. pylori breath test or urea breath test

The H. pylori or urea breath test can identify infections caused by Helicobaster pylori which is implcated in gastritis and peptic ulcers and usually treated with 2 anitbiotics.

Hemorrhoid banding

Hemorrhoid banding is a procedure where swollen hemorrhoids are banded with a tight rubber band to cut off its blood supply and have it scar away.

Hydrogen breath test

The hydrogen breath test is a diagnostic tool for determining bacterial overgrowth and carbohydrate malabsortion problems.

PillCam small bowel endoscopy

A PillCam is a small capsule containing a miniature video camera (about the size of a vitamin pill) that takes pictures of your small bowel as it passes through. The test takes several hours to complete and the images are sent to a data recorder secured to your belt.

abdominal ultrasound

Ultrasound waves are used to visualize the internal organs.