- CryotherapyMedicines and/or surgery can effectively control the symptoms of GERD. However, neither medications nor surgery for GERD can reverse the presence of Barrett's esophagus or eliminate the risk of cancer. There are some treatments available that can destroy the Barrett's tissue. These treatments may decrease the development of cancer in some patients and include heat (radiofrequency ablation, thermal ablation with argon plasma coagulation and multipolar coagulation), cold energy (cryotherapy) or the use of light and special chemicals (photodynamic therapy). In some patients, endoscopic techniques to locally remove abnormal Barrett's tissue may also be considered (for example, endoscopic mucosal resection).
- Medical Weight LossWhen a patient experiences common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, namely heartburn and/or acid regurgitation, additional tests prior to starting treatment are typically unnecessary. If symptoms do not respond to treatment, or if other symptoms such as weight loss, trouble swallowing or internal bleeding are present, additional testing may be necessary.
- Primary CareASGE physicians usually work on referral from your primary care physician. Your GI endoscopist will communicate with your primary care physician about the results of your endoscopic procedure. Together, they will determine what is appropriate for treatment, follow-up visits and/or if future endoscopic exams are needed.
- Emergency CareIf you’re suffering from abdominal pain, please call San Diego Gastroenterology Medical Associates office at (619) 291-6064 for a consultation, or go to your nearest emergency department for more immediate care.
- ColonoscopyIn a colonoscopy, the physician passes the endoscope through your rectum and into the colon, allowing the physician to examine the tissue of the colon wall for abnormalities such as polyps.
- Constipation
- Irritable Bowel SyndromeCommon causes of abdominal pain include: gastroenteritis (commonly known as the stomach flu), irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis, reflux, GERD, gastritis, esophagitis, vomiting, food intolerance or allergy, food poisoning, peptic ulcer disease, celiac disease, strained muscles, urinary tract infection or bladder infection, gallstones, kidney stones, menstrual cramps, other gynecological conditions, intestinal parasites, other infections of the colon, heart attack and sometimes even a lower lobe pneumonia.
- Diarrhea
- Pneumonia
- Pregnancy
- Internal Medicine
- GastroenterologyAt San Diego Gastroenterology, we are very well equipped to handle all of your gastroenterology needs on almost on par with services provided at any tertiary care GI practice. To help you understand your options, we've included descriptions of some of our leading services on this page...
- Kidney StonesAbdominal pain can be caused by a multitude of conditions ranging from viral or bacterial infections to inflammation, constipation, bowel blockage, and even life-threatening emergent conditions like acute appendicitis, kidney stones, gallstones, ischemic disease, or even aortic aneurysm.
- Colon CancerThis brochure addresses minor rectal bleeding that occurs from time to time. Continuous passage of significantly greater amounts of blood from the rectum or stools that appear black, tarry or maroon in color can be caused by other diseases that will not be discussed here. Call your doctor immediately if these more serious conditions occur. Because there are several possible causes for minor rectal bleeding, a complete evaluation and early diagnosis by your doctor is very important. Rectal bleeding, whether it is minor or not, can be a symptom of colon cancer, a type of cancer that can be cured if detected early.
- EndoscopyThis information was developed by the Publications Committee of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). For more information about ASGE, visit www.asge.org.
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Lung CancerTRUE. After lung cancer, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Annually, approximately 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in the United States and 50,000 people die from the disease. It has been estimated that increased awareness and screening would save at least 30,000 lives each year.
- NeurolysisGI Cancers, Pancreatico-Biliary Disorders, GI Motility Disorders/IBS, Capsule Endoscopy and Advanced Endoscopy (ERCP, EUS, EMR, RFA, Pan GI Luminal Stenting & Deep Balloon Enteroscopy), EUS guided celiac plexus blocks and neurolysis for pain management
- Diabetes Care
- UltrasoundEndoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) guided Tumor Staging and Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) of Mediastinal, Esophageal, Pancreatic, Biliary, Gastric, Duodenal and Colorectal tumors
- MRIMost patients consider the test comfortable. The capsule endoscope is about the size of a large pill. After ingesting the capsule and until it is excreted, you should not be near an MRI device or schedule an MRI examination.
- RadiologySeveral screening techniques for detecting polyps and cancers in the colon are available: colonoscopy, tests on stool samples, sigmoidoscopy, or radiology tests such as a computed tomography colonography (CTC).
- X-Rays
- Computed TomographyBecause most people do not have symptoms, diverticulosis is often found incidentally during evaluation for another condition or during a screening exam for polyps. Gastroenterologists can directly visualize the diverticula (more than one pouch, or diverticulum) in the colon during a procedure that uses a small camera attached to a lighted, flexible tube inserted through the rectum. One of these procedures is a sigmoidoscopy, which uses a short tube to examine only the rectum and lower part of the colon. A colonoscopy uses a longer tube to examine the entire colon. Diverticulosis can also be seen using other imaging tests, for example by computed tomography (CT) scan or barium x-ray.
- Radiation TherapyProctitis refers to inflammation of the lining of the rectum. It can be caused by previous radiation therapy for various cancers, medications, infections or a limited form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It may cause the sensation that you didn't completely empty your bowels after a bowel movement, and may give you the frequent urge to have a bowel movement. Other symptoms include passing mucus through the rectum, rectal bleeding and pain in the area of the anus and rectum. Treatment for proctitis depends on the cause. Your doctor will discuss the appropriate course of action with you.
- Botox
- Cyst
- UlcerThe stool guiac test picks up blood arising from anywhere in the GI tract, making it less specific for colorectal cancer. For example, it might pick up blood arising from a bleeding stomach ulcer.
- LesionsEUS provides your doctor with more information than other imaging tests by providing detailed images of your digestive tract. Your doctor can use EUS to diagnose certain conditions that may cause abdominal pain or abnormal weight loss. EUS is also used to evaluate known abnormalities, including lumps or lesions, which were detected at a prior endoscopy or were seen on x-ray tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scan. EUS provides a detailed image of the lump or lesion, which can help your doctor determine its origin and help treatment decisions. EUS can be used to diagnose diseases of the pancreas, bile duct and gallbladder when other tests are inconclusive or conflicting.
- Allergies