GASTROENTEROLOGY
GASTROENTEROLOGY SERVICES offered IN QUEENS, MASPETH, LOWER MANHATTAN, NEW YORK, BROOKLYN AND FLUSHING, NY
Gastroenterology concerns your digestive system and associated organs like the liver. If you develop gastrointestinal symptoms, visit LocalMD offices in Queens, New York City, Flushing, and Brooklyn, NY. The gastroenterology specialists offer prompt, accurate diagnosis and cutting-edge treatments to patients of all ages. Call LocalMD to inquire about expert gastroenterology care or schedule a consultation via the online form today
What is gastroenterology?
Gastroenterology focuses on conditions affecting your digestive system. This includes the:
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine (colon or large bowel)
- Rectum
- Anus
- Liver
- Gallbladder
LocalMD’s experienced doctors and nurse practitioners provide expert care to patients of all ages with both acute and chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
What symptoms do gastrointestinal conditions cause?
Gastrointestinal disorder symptoms vary depending on their cause, but common ones include:
-
Indigestion
Indigestion is a term for problems like acid reflux (where stomach acid escapes up your esophagus, causing heartburn), excessive belching, and bloating. -
Stomach upsets
Stomach upset symptoms include abdominal pain, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite. -
Rectal problems
Common rectal gastroenterology symptoms include bowel movement changes like diarrhea (loose, watery stools) and constipation (dry, hard stools). Others include lower abdominal, rectal, or anal pain, rectal bleeding, odd-colored stools, and fecal incontinence, where you can’t hold stools in.
Gastrointestinal conditions can also cause weakness, fatigue, and unintended weight loss.
What gastroenterology conditions might affect me?
LocalMD diagnoses and treats many gastroenterology conditions, including:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Gallstones
- Hemorrhoids
- Lactose intolerance
- Gastric ulcers
- Diverticular disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Celiac disease
- Colorectal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
IBD includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, long-term conditions that cause gastrointestinal tract inflammation. You might need blood and/or stool sample tests or diagnostic imaging procedures like an ultrasound or CT scan to confirm a diagnosis.
What treatments does gastroenterology use?
The treatment your LocalMD provider recommends depends on what’s causing your gastrointestinal condition. You might need antibiotics for a bacterial infection or anti-inflammatories for an autoimmune disorder like IBD. If you have GERD, you can take antacids to soak up excess stomach acid and proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid production. It’s also important to follow your provider’s advice on improving your general and gastrointestinal health. They support you with these changes by offering advice on a healthy diet, helping you lose weight, enabling you to quit smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and helping you exercise more. They can also refer you for gastrointestinal surgery like gallbladder removal or bowel resection if necessary. Call LocalMD or book an appointment online today to benefit from expert gastroenterology diagnosis and treatment.