Gastroenterology is a branch of medicine focused on the digestive system, also called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These physicians are skilled at treating diseases and disorders that affect the digestive system. This includes the esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Gastroenterologists treat diseases and disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), celiac disease (gluten intolerance), irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcers, malnutrition, Crohn's disease, inflammatory colon conditions, and many other conditions.
GI procedures performed at Ohio Valley Surgical Hospital include:
Each year, millions of Americans suffer from digestive disorders ranging from acid reflux disease to irritable bowel syndrome to the life-threatening colon, rectal, or esophageal diseases. At Ohio Valley, our specialists provide expert diagnostic and screening capabilities, innovative treatment solutions, and award-winning patient care. We are dedicated to providing each patient with superior medical treatment in a comfortable, safe environment.
People aged 45 and older, are at higher risk of colon diseases. Usually, these colon diseases, including colon cancer, have no outward symptoms in the earliest stages when they are more treatable and even curable in some instances. A colonoscopy is a diagnostic test that checks for colon problems. If you have signs of colon cancer or another GI cancer type, your gastroenterologist will customize a treatment plan to combat the disease.
A general surgeon is a surgical specialist who primarily treats diseases, disorders, and injuries of the torso, or trunk. This includes your esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, breasts, and soft tissue. General surgeons may also perform procedures on the skin, vascular system, and thyroid. Common conditions treated by general surgeons include appendicitis, breast disease, breast cancer, diverticulitis, colon cancer, endocrine diseases, hernias, gallbladder disease, gastritis and ulcers, GERD, pancreatitis, stomach cancer, and varicose veins.
General Surgery procedures performed at Ohio Valley Surgical Hospital include: