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Symptoms, Conditions & Procedures

Finding care for gastrointestinal issues isn’t always comfortable, but the experts at Washington Gastroenterology are here to help. Whether you are looking for assistance for yourself or for someone you love, our GI specialists can provide the care needed to meet all of your GI needs. With state-of-the-art technology to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide variety of GI conditions, you can rest assured that you are in good hands. Our GI specialists are skilled at providing care for numerous conditions, such as GERD, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, and more. Colonoscopies, colon cancer screenings, sphincterotomies, and other essential procedures are performed routinely by our gastroenterologists. If you are struggling with bothersome GI symptoms, such as diarrhea, constipation, or nausea, contact Washington Gastroenterology to find solutions and receive the assistance you deserve to start feeling better today.

GI Symptoms

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is described as a localized pain or general discomfort found between the chest and pelvis that can accompany various GI conditions.

Anal/Rectal Bleeding

Anal bleeding, also known as rectal bleeding, presents when GI conditions such as hemorrhoids or anal ulcers cause blood to emerge from the rectum.

Bloating

Bloating is a symptom that presents as an accumulation of gas in the digestive tract or fluid retention in the abdomen due to various GI conditions.

Blood in the Stool

Blood in the stool is a sign that somewhere within the digestive tract a bleed is occurring, which will require an evaluation to determine the source.

Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence is the inability to maintain control over one’s bowel movements; severity can range from stool leakage to complete loss of control.

Constipation

Constipation, a common GI symptom, is described as difficulty moving stool through the digestive tract due to it becoming excessively dry or hard.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea presents as loose, watery stools occurring more than three times daily. Prolonged diarrhea may be an indication of a more serious condition.

Difficulty Swallowing

Various conditions may cause difficulty swallowing, often described as having a hard time moving foods and liquids from the esophagus to the stomach.

Heartburn

Heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest, is a symptom that may intensify during certain activities, such as lying down, eating, or bending over.

Indigestion

Indigestion presents as pain or discomfort in the upper abdominal area often felt after consuming food. This pain may accompany a feeling of fullness.

Nausea

Nausea is a feeling in the stomach that gives someone the urge to throw up. This unpleasant feeling is a common symptom of various GI conditions.

Unexplained Weight Gain/Loss

An unexpected weight gain or loss is a significant change to one’s weight when no attempt at change is made, which may indicate an underlying issue.

Vomiting

Vomiting is your body's natural response after ingesting something that may be a threat, leading to the forceful expulsion of the stomach’s contents.

Yellowing of the Skin/Eyes

Yellowing of the skin and eyes is a GI symptom where high levels of bilirubin cause a yellowish hue to form in the whites of the eyes and on the skin.

GI Conditions

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is characterized by painful heartburn caused by stomach acid traveling back into the esophagus when the LES fails to close completely.

Anal Fissure

Anal fissures, a small rip or tear in the mucosa, can cause various symptoms like discomfort, pain, bloody stools, and spasms in the anal sphincter.

Anemia/Iron Deficiency

Anemia occurs when oxygen cannot be adequately transported throughout the body due to low levels of healthy RBCs. Iron deficiency often causes anemia.

Barrett's Esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus, a complication of GERD, presents as an alteration in the tissue lining the esophagus to become similar to intestinal tissue.

Biliary Obstruction

A biliary obstruction occurs when bile from the liver cannot move freely through the biliary system due to one or more bile ducts becoming blocked.

C. Difficile Colitis

C. difficile colitis is a condition causing swelling and inflammation in the intestines after the body becomes infected with clostridium difficile.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune condition that causes the digestive system to react negatively when the body ingests items containing gluten.

Colitis

Colitis refers to the inflammation of the mucosal lining of the GI tract, which can be caused by various conditions such as Crohn’s disease and IBD.

Colorectal Polyps

Colorectal polyps are harmless growths that form on the lining of the rectum or colon. If left untreated, these benign masses can become cancerous.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer generally arises as benign growths called polyps in the colon or rectum. The disease can largely be prevented with routine screenings.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that targets the colon and small bowel and causes painful swelling in the digestive tract.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

Cyclic vomiting syndrome presents as episodes of severe nausea and vomiting where one cycle might consist of vomiting 6 to 20 times before subsiding.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is the inflammation and infection of diverticula pouches in the intestinal lining. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis forms small pouches that push through the weakened lining of the intestines. If left untreated, it can progress into diverticulitis.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is a term used to describe the inability to swallow easily, which may cause discomfort and the feeling of food being stuck in the throat.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a condition in which an accumulation of eosinophil cells in the lining of the esophagus causes inflammation and swelling.

Esophageal Motility Disorder

Esophageal motility disorder is a general term to describe swallowing disorders where ingested food cannot be transported to the stomach properly.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is a term used to describe the general inflammation of the esophagus, which can be triggered by infection, allergies, or other conditions.

Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease is a disorder where fat accumulates in liver cells. Left untreated, it can cause scarring and lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.

Fistula

A fistula describes an abnormal connection in the body between two hollow organs. Fistulae can be medically induced or occur due to disease or injury.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance is a condition where the digestive system cannot process certain foods correctly and triggers GI symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting.

Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease is a group of conditions that negatively affect the gallbladder, such as gallstones, sclerosing cholangitis, and cholecystitis.

Gastritis

Gastritis refers to the irritation, inflammation, or wearing away of the stomach lining. The two main types include erosive and nonerosive gastritis.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, describes the consequences of frequently occurring acid reflux, which often displays symptoms of heartburn.

Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria in the stomach that affects the digestive system. H. pylori infections can create ulcers and lead to stomach cancer.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins, either internally in the rectum or externally on the anus, that have become irritated and protrude.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is described as the swelling or inflammation of the liver. There are different variations of hepatitis, the most common being A, B, and C.

Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia is a condition where a portion of the stomach pushes upward through the small opening located in the diaphragm, known as the hiatus.

Ileitis

Iletis is a condition causing discomfort or swelling in the ileum and often manifests GI symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and weight loss.

Impacted Bowel

Impacted bowel is a condition that occurs when fecal matter or gas cannot be eliminated as needed due to a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is a general term to describe swelling in the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two types of IBD.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that causes recurrent GI symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation.

Jaundice

Jaundice refers to the eyes and skin forming a yellowish hue due to excessive bilirubin. Jaundice generally indicates problems involving the liver.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance occurs when the body does not produce enough of an enzyme known as lactase to digest the lactose consumed in foods and liquids.

Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis develops when the liver is inflamed and scarred. As scarring increases, liver function decreases, which can lead to liver failure.

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

NASH is a buildup of fat on the liver accompanied by inflammation, which can impact liver function and cause further health issues if not treated.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas is inflamed and cannot function properly due to various issues like gallstones, trauma, or other conditions.

Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers, or stomach ulcers, present as sores in the stomach or upper small intestine after the stomach lining becomes worn down due to pepsin.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis is a rare condition that destroys the intrahepatic bile ducts, allowing bile to build up in the liver and cause scarring.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a condition that attacks and damages the liver’s internal and external bile ducts, potentially leading to cirrhosis.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that targets the large intestine causing painful inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract.

GI Procedures

Anorectal Manometry

For those with bowel difficulties, an anorectal manometry checks the strength and reflexes of the muscles required to pass a regular bowel movement.

Hydrogen Breath Test

The Hydrogen Breath Test is performed by collecting breath samples to test for the presence of hydrogen.

Argon Laser Therapy

Argon laser therapy is a treatment that uses a beam of light produced by argon gas to address various GI symptoms such as dysphagia and strictures.

Capsule Endoscopy

A capsule endoscopy is able to diagnose the source of GI symptoms by swallowing a pill that contains a camera to capture images of the small bowel.

Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer screenings are the process of looking for growths in the colon. Regular screenings are the best way to detect and prevent colon cancer.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is an endoscopic exam used to assess the lining of the colon, test for cancer and tumors, or diagnose various gastrointestinal issues.

EGD

An esophagogastroduodenoscopy can diagnose GI issues by running a scope through the esophagus, stomach, and into the beginning of the small intestine.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

Endoscopic mucosal resection is an outpatient procedure that allows for the removal of growths or tumors located below the GI lining without surgery.

Enteroscopy

An enteroscopy aids in diagnosing the source of GI symptoms by advancing a thin scope into the second portion of the small intestine, the jejunum.

ERCP

An ERCP is an endoscopic test where a scope is advanced into the duodenum to assess internal issues and diagnose various digestive health disorders.

Esophageal Dilation

Esophageal dilation is a procedure to expand a tightened or blocked portion of the esophagus and to help alleviate the associated stricture symptoms.

Esophageal Manometry

An esophageal manometry is a test performed to diagnose swallowing disorders by measuring the contractile ability of the muscles in the esophagus.

Feeding Tube Insertion (PEG)

A feeding tube insertion is a tube that supplies nutrition, medications, and liquids directly into the stomach, bypassing the mouth and esophagus.

FibroScan®

FibroScan, or transient elastography, is an advanced ultrasound used to noninvasively analyze the liver and measure its fibrosis and steatosis.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is an endoscopic examination performed to investigate concerning GI symptoms and examine the lower portion of the colon.

Hemorrhoid Banding

Hemorrhoid banding is a method of shrinking and removing hemorrhoids by placing a rubber band around the base to restrict the blood flow to the area.

Infusion Therapy (IV Infusion)

Infusion therapy allows for the delivery of medications or fluids directly into the veins of a patient when it is not possible to ingest them orally.

Sphincterotomy

A sphincterotomy is performed to treat anal fissures (a tear in the lining of the anus) when other less invasive measures have been unsuccessful.

24-Hour Esophageal pH Study

A 24-hour esophageal pH study is used to measure the number of acid reflux episodes a patient experiences during a 24-hour period.