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Symptoms, Conditions & Procedures

Cutting-Edge Procedures

Gastroenterology Associates physicians use the most current technology to deliver comprehensive care for patients of all ages. Our skilled providers treat a wide range of common gastrointestinal symptoms and conditions, offering personalized treatments and procedures to help improve the health and quality of life of our Baton Rouge, LA patients. We invite you to explore the information below to learn more about our scope of specialized care.

GI Symptoms

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain can be caused by various issues, some more serious than others. Frequent, unexplained, or excruciating pain should be addressed.

Anal/Rectal Bleeding

Anal (or rectal) could result from a variety of concerns, including diverticular disease, an anal fissure, colon polyps, hemorrhoids, and more.

Bloating

Bloating is an uncomfortable sensation that most people have experienced; however, consistent bloating is not normal, and our GI specialists can help.

Blood in the Stool

Blood in the stool indicates bleeding somewhere in the gastrointestinal system and can be caused by several things, some more concerning than others.

Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence can be a burdensome issue and can wreak havoc on your life; a GI doctor can help identify the cause and create a treatment plan.

Constipation

Constipation may indicate a larger issue is at hand, which is why you should visit a GI doctor if you have less than three bowel movements weekly.

Diarrhea

Frequent or lasting diarrhea or diarrhea accompanied by other GI issues should be evaluated by a GI specialist as it could indicate something else.

Difficulty Swallowing

Difficulty swallowing could be caused by anything from a food allergy to an esophageal contraction; either way, it's important to find the root cause.

Heartburn

While most experience heartburn occasionally, you should see a GI specialist if it isn't relieved by antacids or if you rely on antacids too often.

Indigestion

Indigestion may be a common feeling after eating; however, consistent indigestion could be a sign of a more serious GI issue and should be evaluated.

Nausea

Many people experience nausea for various reasons, but nausea that is reoccurring or lasts longer than a day should be reviewed by a GI specialist.

Unexplained Weight Gain/Loss

Unexplained weight loss or gain can be surprising and concerning; our gastrointestinal specialists can help determine the cause of your weight change.

Vomiting

Vomiting occurs when the body thinks it has been poisoned and tries to get rid of it; it can be caused by sickness, food poisoning, or something else.

Yellowing of the Skin/Eyes

The skin and whites of the eyes can turn a yellowish color due to liver disease, bile duct obstruction, hepatitis, gallbladder inflammation, and more.

GI Conditions

Acid Reflux

The sensation known as "heartburn" is acid reflux, which occurs when acid moves in the wrong direction from the stomach back into the esophagus.

Anal Fissure

An anal fissure is a small tear in the tissue lining the anus and can be caused by childbirth, passing large stools, constipation, and more.

Anemia/Iron Deficiency

Anemia is when there are too few red blood cells in the blood to move oxygen throughout the body; iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia.

Barrett's Esophagus

Barrett's esophagus can develop in people who have GERD and is caused when the tissue in the esophagus shifts to look like that of the intestines.

Biliary Obstruction

A biliary, or a bile duct, obstruction occurs between the liver and the gallbladder and can be caused by cysts, inflammation, a tumor, and more.

C. Difficile Colitis

C. difficile colitis is a condition where the body is infected with the C. difficile germ, causing inflammation in the large intestine.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that attacks the small bowel lining when gluten is consumed, keeping the body from absorbing certain vitamins.

Colitis

Colitis is the term for inflammation of the colon's inner lining and comes in many forms, including ulcerative, microscopic, and ischemic colitis.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer can be detected and even prevented. Early detection and knowing the symptoms are key to early detection and treatment.

Colorectal Polyps

Colorectal polyps are growth in the colon or rectum. While they are often noncancerous, they should be removed since they can turn cancerous in time.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a condition within the inflammatory bowel disease category and can impact any part of the GI tract, from the anus to the mouth.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

CVS is reoccurring vomiting that is often accompanied by headache, fever, abdominal pain, and more and can be caused by a variety of external factors.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis develops after diverticulosis and occurs when the diverticula become infected and swollen, causing pain, nausea, fever, and more.

Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis occurs when diverticula (small sacs in the large intestine) extend through the outer lining of the colon and may cause diverticulitis.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is when someone has trouble swallowing and can be caused by various factors, such as esophageal inflammation, strictures, and more.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

EOE is an inflammatory disease where the esophagus becomes inflamed due to white blood cells, eosinophils, accumulating in the esophageal lining.

Esophageal Motility Disorder

Esophageal motility disorder is the condition where the esophagus won't contract, meaning the esophagus can't deliver food and liquid to the stomach.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is the general inflammation of the esophagus and may cause chest pain, acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, and more.

Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease is a condition in which fat builds up in the liver cells and can lead to liver cirrhosis and eventually may cause liver failure.

Fistula

A fistula is an abnormal connection between two hollow bodily organs and is often caused from an injury, disease, inflammation, or surgery.

Food Intolerance

Food consists of proteins, vitamins, carbs, and other substances to give it flavor; some of these components can lead to a food intolerance.

Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease is a general term used to describe the various problems and diseases that have a negative impact on the gallbladder.

Gastritis

Gastritis is the inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the stomach lining and may cause gastric ulcers, bleeding, or stomach cancer if untreated.

GERD

You may be diagnosed with GERD if you experience chronic acid reflux or if over-the-counter antacids don't help subdue your heartburn.

Helicobacter Pylori

H. pylori is a bacteria found in the stomach; however, if H. pylori infection occurs, it can lead to pain, irritation, ulcers, and stomach cancer.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins near the rectum or anus and can be caused by chronic constipation or diarrhea, straining during activity, and more.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver; it can be spread through bodily fluids, shared hygiene products, uncooked meats, unclean water, and more.

Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia is when the stomach pokes up through the hiatus and into the diaphragm, causing heartburn, chest pain, discomfort, and more.

Ileitis

Ileitis is the inflammation or irritation of the ileum (the lowest part of the small bowel) and can cause weight loss, cramping, fistulas, and more.

Impacted Bowel

An impacted bowel can occur if something is keeping you from having a bowel movement or passing gas and causing other symptoms like bloating and pain.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is the swelling of the GI tract and can be categorized into two different diseases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS is categorized as long-term symptoms in the GI tract, including cramping, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, difficulty sleeping, and more.

Jaundice

Jaundice causes the skin and the whites of the eyes to turn a yellowish color and could be a sign of infection, gallstones, or a liver condition.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance occurs when the body cannot produce enough lactase to break down lactose; this can lead to stomach issues and discomfort.

Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis develops when the liver is inflamed/scarred and functionality is diminished, typically from alcohol abuse or late-stage liver disease.

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

NASH is inflammation of and the buildup of fat in the liver; NASH is often seen in people who are overweight, diabetic, or have high cholesterol.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed and can't perform properly. It can be caused by alcohol use, gallstones, infection, and more.

Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are open sores within the stomach or upper small intestine that often cause pain, bleeding, discomfort, and other symptoms.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis

PBC is an immune system disease that damages the bile ducts, causing bile to accumulate in the liver, which can cause scarring and lead to cirrhosis.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis impacts the bile ducts inside and outside the liver and causes them to become inflamed, constricted, and scarred.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a form of IBD and can cause uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and more.

GI Procedures

Anorectal Manometry

Anorectal manometry is performed to judge the muscles' reflexes and strength needed for having a bowel movement when someone is having difficulty.

Endoscopic Ultrasound

An EUS is performed to get a look at the inner layers of the gastrointestinal tract as well as adjacent organs like the pancreas and biliary system.

Argon Laser Therapy

Argon laser therapy is a noninvasive laser treatment performed to address GI problems such as hemorrhages, dysphagia, mucosal lesions, and strictures.

Bravo pH Monitoring

Bravo pH monitoring is a state-of-the-art device used to noninvasively examine the esophagus in patients who experience severe acid reflux or GERD.

Capsule Endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy is a procedure where a small pill with a camera is swallowed to identify the cause of bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and more.

Chronic Care Management

Chronic care management (CCM) can help those with two or more chronic disorders get the ongoing care needed for improved health and wellness.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is often performed on patients 45 years and older to check for colon cancer, as well as individuals who have unexplainable GI symptoms.

Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer screenings involve looking for polyps and cancer on the inner wall of the rectum and colon when there are no GI symptoms present.

EGD

An EGD is performed to help diagnose symptoms such as frequent heartburn, abdominal pain, trouble swallowing, unexplainable bleeding, and more.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

Endoscopic mucosal resection is a noninvasive treatment performed to remove tumors just below the gastrointestinal lining without performing surgery.

Enteroscopy

An enteroscopy is performed to look at the esophageal lining, stomach, and small bowel to diagnose the cause of abdominal pain, bleeding, and more.

ERCP

ERCP is performed to get a look at the small intestine, stomach, and esophagus wall to diagnose issues such as abdominal pain, pancreatitis, and more.

Esophageal Dilation

Esophageal dilation is an endoscopic exam that helps diagnose issues such as GERD, esophageal cancer, eosinophilic esophagitis, and more.

Esophageal Manometry

Esophageal manometry evaluates the esophagus's ability to contract in the event you have chest pain, regurgitation, difficulty eating, and more.

Feeding Tube Insertion (PEG)

Feeding tube insertion (or PEG) supplements nutrition when someone does not get adequate nutrition from consuming food and drinks orally.

FibroScan®

FibroScan is an ultrasound test performed to quickly and noninvasively inspect the liver to check the state of fibrosis and steatosis.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

A flexible sigmoidoscopy may be suggested to determine the cause of diarrhea, rectal bleeding, unusual x-ray results, abdominal pain, and more.

Hemorrhoid Banding

Hemorrhoids are inflamed veins in the lower anus or rectum that become painful and cause other issues and should be removed with hemorrhoid banding.

Infusion Therapy (IV Infusion)

Infusion therapy administers medication directly into a vein (intravenously) and may be utilized to help treat a variety of digestive conditions.

Sphincterotomy

While an anal fissure may heal on its own, a sphincterotomy may be necessary if it does not heal naturally or if home treatments don't help.