An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, is an outpatient gastrointestinal assessment of digestive organs. From the doctor’s perspective, the test yields valuable information about GI organs and their function and can reveal active disease processes which require immediate treatment or ongoing management. From the patient’s perspective, the test is relatively easy to tolerate and presents
Read MoreGI Clinic in California
Fecal Occult Blood Test: What You Need to Know
Colon cancer screening can save lives, especially because it ranks third among the most commonly diagnosed malignancies. A typical approach to check for colon cancer is to confirm if there is bleeding within the intestines. However, stool can contain significant amounts of blood without showing visible signs. Fecal occult tests use chemical methods to detect
Read MoreWhat Causes Blood in Stool?
Seeing blood in your stool is a symptom of a problem that may be benign or serious. Bloody stools are never normal, and you should have the issue evaluated by a doctor, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as rectal pain, constipation, abdominal cramps, and a feeling of your bowels not emptying.
Read MoreThe Purpose And Procedure of an EGD Test
If a doctor has recommended that you get an EGD test, you may be wondering what is in store for you. Here, we will talk about the purpose of an EGD test and what is involved in the procedure – two things that can help you be well-informed on the day of the test. What
Read MoreDo You Need Anesthesia for Flex Sig?
A flexible sigmoidoscopy procedure, also called “flex sig,” is an alternative to a colonoscopy. This test is used to examine the lower part of the colon (large intestine) rather than the entire colon, as a colonoscopy does. A flex sig doesn’t usually require as much preparation as a colonoscopy does, and it’s a bit more
Read More5 Things to Remember Before Having an Endoscopy
An endoscopy is a procedure that involves a gastroenterologist (GI doctor) introducing an instrument (endoscope) into the throat (for upper endoscopy) or anus (for lower endoscopy). The purpose is to confirm— and, in some cases, treat – the underlying cause of persistent heartburn, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, and/or gastrointestinal bleeding. Since endoscopy is
Read MoreWhat’s a Manometry Test?
If you experience acid reflux or other esophageal issues, such as heartburn, you should consult with a gastroenterologist to determine what’s wrong. In most cases, gastroenterologists can review symptoms and the patient’s medical history to figure out a diagnosis. However, there are situations when this information is not enough to find the problem. So, if
Read MoreFive Reasons You Need to See a Gastroenterologist Today
If you have a digestive issue that isn’t improving with over-the-counter medications, then it is in your best interest to have an evaluation by a skilled gastroenterologist. A gastroenterologist, or GI doctor, is a physician who diagnoses, prevents, and treats diseases and disorders of your digestive tract and related organs. Let’s talk about some of
Read MoreH.Pylori Symptoms and Tests
If you have an H. Pylori infection, you are not alone. Around 44 percent of the population in the world carry H. Pylori. H. Pylori is a type of bacteria that resides in your digestive tract and is harmless unless it affects your stomach lining. Mostly, children get H. Pylori infections, but adults can also
Read MoreThings to Expect When Seeing a Gastroenterologist
If you need to see a gastroenterologist, you might not know what to expect if you’ve never seen one before. Gastroenterologists specialize in the digestive system, including the liver, colon, bile ducts, gallbladder, pancreas, rectum, small intestine, stomach, and esophagus, and are experts in their function and diseases. If you’ve been referred to a gastroenterologist,
Read More