Gastroenterology

The gastroenterologists at Ochsner provide treatment for a range of stomach and digestive conditions:

• Achalasia (a swallowing disorder)
• Anal cancer
• Barrett's esophagus
• Peptic ulcers
• Cancer of the esophagus
• Cancers of the colon or rectum
• Cancer of the stomach or small intestine
• Celiac disease
• Crohn's disease
• Chronic gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown cause
• Clostridium difficile infection (colon inflammation caused by bacteria)
• Collagenous colitis/ lymphocytic colitis/ microscopic colitis
• Colonic dysmotility (when the muscles in the colon don’t contract correctly and interfere with digestion)
• Colonoscopy
• Constipation
• Cowden's syndrome (development of numerous noncancerous growths in the digestive tract)
• Diaphragmatic hernia (a birth defect defined by a hole in the diaphragm muscle between the chest and the abdomen)
• Diarrhea
• Diffuse esophageal spasm
• Intestinal malabsorption (celiac sprue, Whipple's disease, lymphangiectasia)
• Diverticulitis
• Eosinophilic esophagitis (inflammation that damages the lining of the esophagus)
• Esophageal varices (enlarged veins in the esophagus)
• Esophageal stricture (narrowing of your esophagus)
• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP, an inherited condition that causes cancerous and noncancerous growths in the colon and rectum)
• Familial amyloidosis (amyloid deposits in the digestive system can disrupt nerve function)
• Functional bowel disorders (FBD)
• Gallstones
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Gastroparesis (a condition that affects the stomach muscles and prevents the stomach from emptying)
• Helicobacter pylori infection (a bacterial infection of the stomach)
• Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC or Lynch syndrome)
• Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome ( small vascular malformations)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Lymphoma of colon or rectum
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Pancreatic conditions, including acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cysts
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Peptic ulcer disease (open sores in the stomach or small intestine)
• Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (formation of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract)
• Polyps of the colon or rectum (noncancerous growths)
• Pouchitis (inflammation that occurs in the lining of a pouch created during surgery to treat ulcerative colitis or certain other diseases
• Pseudo-obstruction (symptoms of an intestinal obstruction are present without any blockage)
• Radiation colopathy (colorectal inflammation following radiation therapy)
• Radiation enteropathy (intestinal inflammation following radiation therapy)
• Ulcerative colitis
• Sclerosing mesenteritis (inflammation of the small bowel mesentery, tissue connecting the abdomen and small bowel)
• Small bowel disease
• Swallowing problems
• Whipple disease (a bacterial infection that affects the gastrointestinal system or any other system in the body)

The Ochsner gastroenterology team has extensive specialized training in gastrointestinal diseases and care. The team is made up of advanced care practitioners, dietitians, nursing staff, physicians and surgeons. Our specialists frequently collaborate to ensure patients receive the best care possible. By combining training and skills in multiple specialized areas of digestive care, we provide exceptional, individualized care for common and rare gastrointestinal diseases.

Ochsner gastroenterology experts also frequently partner with other Ochsner experts and departments, including:

• Bariatric surgery

• Colon and rectal surgery

• Dermatology

• Endocrinology

• Hepatology (liver care)

• Cancer

• Rheumatology

• Nationally ranked in the nation’s top 10% in Gastroenterology & GI Surgery by U.S. News & World Report

• Several Ochsner gastroenterology experts are involved in research and clinical trials. Participating in clinical trials and research allows our specialists to bring the latest information, procedures and treatments in gastroenterology to our patients.

Different gastrointestinal diseases may cause a range of symptoms. Some common symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

• Dehydration

• Diarrhea

• Gastrointestinal bleeding

• Heartburn

• Iron deficiency anemia

• Malnutrition

• Nausea or vomiting

• Swallowing problems

• Weight gain or loss for no known reason

During your first gastroenterology appointment, your provider will ask about your medical history and symptoms. This will help them diagnose your condition and what tests or treatments may be needed.

Gastroenterologists use several diagnostic tests and procedures to screen for or diagnose digestive issues. These tests allow the doctor to see inside the body or take tissue samples, called biopsies, for more information. Some tests require anesthesia. Gastroenterology tests offered at Ochsner include:

• Advanced endoscopic procedures and interventional endoscopy, a group of tests that use advanced imaging technology to diagnose or screen for a wide range of digestive conditions

• Capsule endoscopy, a diagnostic procedure that uses a pill-shaped camera to take pictures of the digestive tract

• Colonoscopy, a procedure used to view the inside of the lower portions of the gastrointestinal tract with a tiny camera attached to a thin tube

• Double balloon endoscopy, the use of two thin tubes, one within the other, with balloons at the end of each tube that can be inflated to hold the intestine open to get a clearer view of the area

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, a test to look at the bile ducts

• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), a test using sound waves and a narrow tube to create an image of a portion of the digestive tract

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy, a procedure used to view a particular part of the colon called the sigmoid

• Gastric emptying tests, a collection of tests that time how long it takes for food to move through your digestive system

• Upper endoscopy, a procedure that uses a thin tube with a camera to view the inside of the upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract

Your treatment is determined based on several factors, including your diagnosis, family and personal health history, overall medical condition and preferences. Treatments may include:

• Fecal transplant

• Lifestyle changes

• Medication

• Minimally invasive procedures, such as an endoscopic mucosal resection

• Nutrition counseling

• Surgery, including robotic-assisted surgery