linked in pixel

Gastroenterology

Why choose Ochsner Health for your gastroenterology care?

Ochsner gastroenterology is a leader in digestive health in Louisiana. Our experts provide comprehensive care for conditions affecting the digestive system, including the bile ducts, gallbladder, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, colon and rectum. We are skilled at treating complex digestive conditions with a personalized approach.

We offer general gastroenterology services throughout the state. Additional specialized clinics, such as the irritable bowel disorder (IBD) clinic and the pancreatic cyst clinic at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans, provide world-class care for those with complex conditions.

The Gastroenterologists at Ochsner provide treatment for a range of GI conditions:

  • Achalasia
  • 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
  • Collagenous colitis/ lymphocytic colitis/ microscopic colitis
  • Colonic diverticular disease
  • Colonic dysmotility
  • Colonoscopy
  • Constipation
  • Cowden's syndrome
  • Diaphragmatic hernia
  • Diarrhea
  • Diffuse esophageal spasm
  • Intestinal malabsorption (celiac sprue, Whipple's disease, lymphangiectasia)
  • Diverticulitis
  • Eosinophilic esophagitis
  • Esophageal varices
  • Esophageal stricture
  • Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
  • Familial amyloidosis
  • Functional bowel disorders (FBD)
  • Gallstones
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Gastroparesis
  • Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC or Lynch syndrome)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
  • Iron deficiency anemia
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Lymphoma of colon or rectum
  • Neuroendocrine tumors
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction
  • Peptic ulcer disease and other manifestations of Helicobacter pylori infection
  • Polyps of the colon or rectum
  • Pouchitis
  • Pseudo-obstruction
  • Radiation colopathy
  • Radiation enteropathy
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Sclerosing mesenteritis
  • Swallowing problems

Ochsner gastroenterology includes a multidisciplinary care team with 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:

General gastroenterology care is provided at several locations throughout Louisiana. Some of our locations also offer clinics specializing in specific conditions or procedures.

Ochsner offers gastroenterology services in:

  • Baton Rouge
  • Covington
  • Gretna
  • Kenner
  • Lafayette
  • Metairie
  • New Orleans
  • Slidell

Ochsner offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options for common and rare gastrointestinal diseases, including:

  • Cancers of the digestive system
  • Celiac disease — an autoimmune disease that causes a reaction to gluten, a protein in wheat, rye and barley
  • Clostridium difficile infection — colon inflammation caused by bacteria
  • Colonic diverticular disease — weak spots in your colon that allow bulges to develop and become infected
  • Colonic dysmotility — when the muscles in the colon don’t contract correctly and interfere with digestion
  • Cowden 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
  • Disorders of the bile ducts, such as gallstones
  • Esophageal conditions, such as achalasia, Barrett’s esophagus, eosinophilic esophagitis and esophageal varices
  • Familial adenomatous polyposis — an inherited condition that causes cancerous and noncancerous growths in the colon and rectum
  • Functional bowel disorders
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD
  • Gastroparesis — a condition that affects the stomach muscles and prevents the stomach from emptying
  • Helicobacter pylori infection — a bacterial infection of the stomach
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
  • Irritable bowel syndrome — an intestinal disorder that causes symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea or both
  • Lynch syndrome — an inherited syndrome that increases the risk of cancer, including colorectal cancer
  • Pancreatic conditions, including acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cysts
  • Peptic ulcer disease — open sores in the stomach or small intestine
  • Polyps of the colon or rectum — noncancerous growths
  • Pseudo-obstruction — symptoms of an intestinal obstruction are present without any blockage
  • Radiation enteropathy — intestinal inflammation following radiation therapy
  • Sclerosing mesenteritis — inflammation of the small bowel mesentery, tissue connecting the abdomen and small bowel
  • Whipple's disease — a bacterial infection that affects the gastrointestinal system or any other system in the body

  • Several Ochsner gastroenterology experts are leading the way to innovation in the field through active involvement in research and clinical trials. Participating in clinical trials and research allows our specialists to bring the latest information, procedures and treatments in gastroenterology directly to our patients.

FAQs

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
  • 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

Read more healthy living and lifestyle tips.

Get tips in your inbox.

Sign up for our free newsletters to get the best of our healthy living tips delivered straight to your inbox.

Map of Ochsner-affiliated facilities that provide services related to Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology Locations

Ochsner Medical Complex - Clearview
4430 Veterans Memorial Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70006
  • Monday – Friday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ochsner Health Center – Gonzales
2400 South Burnside Ave.
Gonzales, LA 70737
  • Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics
2390 West Congress St.
Lafayette, LA 70506
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital
1310 West 7th St.
Kaplan, LA 70548
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center
1214 Coolidge St.
Lafayette, LA 70503
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Health Center – Bluebonnet South
10150 Bluebonnet Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
  • Monday–Thursday: 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ochsner LSU Health - St. Mary Medical Center
915 Margaret Place
Shreveport, LA 71101
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove
10310 The Grove Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70836
  • Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Ochsner Health Center - Shepherd Square
4540 Shepherd Square
Diamondhead, MS 39525
  • Monday – Thursday: 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Ochsner Medical Center - Hancock
149 Drinkwater Blvd.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Health Center - St. Bernard
8050 West Judge Perez Drive
Chalmette, LA 70043
St. Bernard Parish Hospital
8000 W. Judge Perez Drive
Chalmette, LA 70043
  • Open 24/7
Slidell Memorial Hospital East
100 Medical Center Drive
Slidell, LA 70461
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Health Center - Luling
1057 Paul Maillard Road
Luling, LA 70070
Ochsner Health Center - Prairieville
16220 Airline Highway
Prairieville, LA 70769
  • Primary Care: Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Ochsner Health Center - O'Neal
16777 Medical Center Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
  • Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge
17000 Medical Center Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
  • Open 24/7
Ochsner Health Center - Kenner
200 West Esplanade Ave.
Kenner, LA 70065
Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner
180 West Esplanade Ave.
Kenner, LA 70065
  • Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center
2700 Napoleon Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70115
  • Open 24/7