Here you will find a list of common gastrointestinal ailments we treat and desciptions of the various procedures that we specialize in. If you have any more questions, please refer to the links at the bottom of the page. Common Gastrointestinal Problems and Related Conditions Abdominal Pain or Indigestion Celiac Sprue Constipation Colon Cancer Screening Colon Polyps Crohn's and Colitis Diarrhea Difficulty in Swallowing Diverticular Disease Food Intolerance Gallstones Gastritis Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Heartburn Helicobacter Pylori Hepatitis C Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Intestinal Bleeding Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Liver Disease Nausea and/or Vomiting Rectal Pain and/or Bleeding Tumors Ulcers Procedures Colonoscopy - "Colonoscopy enables your doctor to examine the lining of your colon (large intestine) for abnormalities by inserting a flexible tube as thick as your finger into your anus and slowly advancing it into the rectum and colon." Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - "...ERCP, is a specialized technique used to study the ducts of the gallbladder, pancreas and liver...During ERCP, your doctor will pass an endoscope through your mouth, esophagus and stomach into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine). An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube that lets your doctor see inside your bowels. After your doctor sees the common opening to ducts from the liver and pancreas, your doctor will pass a narrow plastic tube called a catheter through the endoscope and into the ducts. Your doctor will inject a contrast material (dye) into the pancreatic or biliary ducts and will take X-rays." Flexible Sigmoidoscopy - "Flexible sigmoidoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of the rectum and a portion of the colon (large intestine) by inserting a flexible tube about the thickness of your finger into the anus and slowly advancing it into the rectum and lower part of the colon." A Flexible Sigmoidoscopy is less instusive than a full colonoscopy, but may lead to a colonoscopy (a complete examination of the colon) if abnormalities are detected. Upper Endoscopy - "Upper endoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine). Your doctor will use a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope, which has its own lens and light source, and will view the images on a video monitor." Definitions quoted March 21, 2004, from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, www.asge.org. More Information Physician Endoscopy Center (PEC): www.pec-tx.com Common Gastrointestinal (GI) Problems: www.acg.gi.org Learn More about Endoscopy Procedures: www.asge.org American Liver Foundation: www.liverfoundation.org Celiac Sprue Association: www.csaceliacs.org Crohn's and Colitis Foundation: www.ccfa.org International Foundation for Functional GI Disorders: www.iffgd.org