Medical Services • Gastroenterology Services

Don't ignore gastrointestinal problems

Many people suffer from problems of the gastrointestinal (GI) system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder and pancreas. These problems may come and go. Sometimes they are simply a reaction to something you ate.

However, even minor problems can lead to more serious disease like Crohn's disease, gallstones, GERD or ulcers unless they're diagnosed and treated early.

Gastrointestinal symptoms may include:

• An unexplained change in your bowel habits
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Chronic heartburn
• Persistent blood in your stool
• Rectal bleeding
• Persistent abdominal pain
• Unexpected weight loss
• Chronic tiredness or sudden fatigue

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to consult your physician. Once your problem is identified, your physician can discuss diagnoses and treatment options for digestive disorders. And, Northwest Community Hospital will be here to support you every step of the way.

Make sure you're getting the best gastroenterology care in the Northwest Suburbs. Find a physician now or call 847.618.4YOU (4968) for a free physician referral.

We treat patients for a wide range of GI conditions, including:

• Swallowing disorders
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Gas, bloating and burping
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Gastric outlet obstruction—pyloric stenosis
• Barrett's esophagus
• Crohn's disease
• Diverticulitis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Gallstones
• Cancer of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, small intestines, colon, rectum and anus
• Pancreatitis

We offer a variety of less invasive procedures for accurate diagnoses that are safer and more comfortable, including:

• M2A capsule enteroscopy—Very small, pill-sized cameras that when swallowed, painlessly transmit digital images from the digestive tract.
• A capsule that monitors and reports acid levels in the esophagus without a catheter.
• Routine and therapeutic colonoscopies to check for colon cancer.
• Virtual colonoscopies that are less invasive.
• Safer, less invasive alternatives to exploratory surgery for removing tissue samples.
• Advanced procedures to diagnose and stage cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.

Other diagnostic tests include:

• Bronchoscopy
• Colonoscopy—One of the most effective ways to prevent colon cancer or detect it in the early and most treatable stages. Recommended for adults age 50 and older and in young people with a family history of colon cancer.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Endoscopic ultrasound
• Endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
• Liver biopsy

Make sure you're getting the best gastroenterology care in the Northwest Suburbs. Find a physician now or call 847.618.4YOU (4968) for a free physician referral.