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Symptoms, Conditions & Procedures

If you're looking for comprehensive, compassionate, personal digestive care for you and your loved ones, come to Utah Gastroenterology. Our dedicated providers offer an extensive list of GI procedures for patients in Salt Lake City, Bountiful, Draper, Riverton, St. George, and beyond. To stay at the forefront of GI medicine, we take pride in using the most up-to-date techniques and state-of-the-art technology, from advanced ultrasounds like FibroScan and computed tomography to endoscopic procedures and surgical treatments. Whether you have acid reflux (GERD), abdominal pain, or you are ready to have your first colonoscopy at age 45, our friendly Utah gastroenterologists will help you safeguard your most priceless possession — your health.

GI Symptoms

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is a very common gastrointestinal symptom and may refer to any manner of ache or discomfort occurring between the chest and pelvis.

Anal/Rectal Bleeding

Anal or rectal bleeding is the occurrence of blood passing through the anus, usually from a source further inside the rectum or lower colon.

Bloating

Bloating refers to an uncomfortable, full feeling in the abdomen and is caused by gas or fluid retention, sometimes as a result of GI problems.

Blood in the Stool

Light or dark blood appearing in your stool is a sign that your GI tract is bleeding and needs attention from a professional gastroenterologist.

Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence is a symptom in which an individual loses control of their bowels, from minor leaks when coughing to a total loss of control.

Constipation

Constipation occurs when your stool becomes too dried out and solidified to easily pass and may be a sign of a health issue if it happens frequently.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea (the occurrence of loose, runny stools) is a common GI symptom, but persistent or extreme cases may be a sign of issues in your GI tract.

Difficulty Swallowing

You might have difficulty swallowing food or drinks as a result of muscle issues, esophagitis, an allergic reaction, or a host of other GI disorders.

Heartburn

Heartburn describes the sensation of heat in the chest that some individuals might feel when bending, lying down, or after eating certain foods.

Indigestion

Indigestion is a broad term describing various feelings of fullness or discomfort in the abdomen. It is often benign but may signal a GI condition.

Nausea

Nausea is an ill feeling in your stomach that makes you feel like you need to throw up, with extreme cases sometimes being a sign of a GI disorder.

Unexplained Weight Gain/Loss

You should always consult a doctor if you experience unexpected weight loss or gain, as it may be a sign of an underlying GI health problem.

Vomiting

Vomiting is normally how your body tries to expel an invader or a harmful substance, but you should consult a GI doctor if it's constant or severe.

Yellowing of the Skin/Eyes

Yellowing of the eyes and skin is a symptom in which the skin and whites of the eyes take on a yellow appearance as a result of an underlying problem.

GI Conditions

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux occurs when a muscle in the esophagus fails to close fully, allowing stomach acid to flow up and creating the feeling we call "heartburn."

Anal Fissure

An anal fissure is a tiny laceration in the tissues around the anus, causing discomfort when sitting, painful bowel movements, and blood in the stool.

Anemia/Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency anemia is a disorder in which the red cells in the blood are unable to move adequate oxygen through the body due to a lack of iron.

Barrett's Esophagus

Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the cells in the esophagus morph to resemble those in the small bowel as a result of chronic acid reflux.

Biliary Obstruction

A biliary tract obstruction is a clog or blockage in the biliary system, hindering the body's ability to transport bile needed to digest food.

C. Difficile Colitis

C. difficile colitis is an inflammatory colon condition caused by a bacteria known as clostridium difficile. Its symptoms can be minor or severe.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an immune system disorder that triggers uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms when you consume products containing gluten.

Colitis

Colitis (inflammation along the lining of the colon) can stem from many issues, including intestinal infection, allergies, or Crohn's disease.

Colorectal Polyps

Colorectal polyps are small clumps of cells that can grow in the rectum or other parts of the colon. Often benign, they can become cancerous in time.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is the secon-leading colon cancer detected in both men and women but is also preventable with tools such as colon cancer screenings.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory colon condition that can cause further health complications. It is normally addressed with medication or surgery.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) triggers repeated bouts of vomiting in which you may throw up anywhere from six to 20 times before the episode ends.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a potential consequence of diverticulosis, developing when the pouches pushing from the intestine become swollen or infected.

Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis is a disease in which small pockets of the large intestine bulge out through the bowel lining, exposing them to the risk of infection.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is the inability to swallow comfortably (or at all in severe cases), usually due to pain, muscle problems, or other issues in the esophagus.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) refers to when the esophagus becomes inflamed due to a buildup of white blood cells, causing pain and problems eating.

Esophageal Motility Disorder

Esophageal motility disorder is a broad term for various problems that make it more difficult to swallow food or take medications by mouth.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is a label for irritation or swelling in the esophagus, the tube-shaped organ that moves food and drinks from the mouth to the stomach.

Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease is an illness characterized by a buildup of fat cells in the liver, causing swelling, damage, and impairment of the organ.

Fistula

A fistula is an irregular tunnel connecting two hollow organs in the body, forming from disease, bodily injury, or as part of a medical treatment.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance is when the GI system has issues breaking down particular foods, leading to a range of GI symptoms when those items are eaten.

Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease is a term covering a list of issues that can disturb the gallbladder, including cholecystitis, gallstones, and biliary dyskinesia.

Gastritis

Gastritis is the occurrence of inflammation or erosion in the lining of the stomach, raising the risk of ulcers or stomach cancer in patients.

GERD

GERD is a condition marked by frequently recurring bouts of acid reflux, inflicting damage to the esophagus and impacting your health over time.

Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a microbe known to infect the stomach, leading to ulcers and stomach cancer if it isn't addressed with antibiotic treatments.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen bumps that can develop around the anus due to inflamed blood vessels. They can cause bleeding and pain but are treatable.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a collection of diseases that are associated with swelling in the liver, with the most frequent variations being hepatitis A, B, and C.

Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach begins to bulge out through the hiatus (a small hole in the diaphragm), leading to painful symptoms.

Ileitis

Ileitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the ileum, the part of the GI tract where the small intestine joins with the large intestine.

Impacted Bowel

An impacted bowel (fecal impaction) occurs when a hard lump of stool becomes lodged in the intestine, blocking waste and causing pain and bloating.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to several known conditions that cause inflammation in the GI tract, often due to an immune system issue.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS is a chronic disease that can hinder your body's ability to digest certain foods, but it's manageable with lifestyle changes and medications.

Jaundice (Adult)

Usually linked with yellowing in the skin and eyes, jaundice is a disease that causes bloating, vomiting, abdominal pain, and other GI symptoms.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a disorder that affects the body's ability to produce the enzyme lactase, impairing your ability to digest foods with lactose.

Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis refers to scarring in the liver, which may occur from disease or alcoholism. Cirrhosis is often treatable if addressed early.

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a form of fatty liver disease, which is caused by fat cells accumulating in the liver and inflicting damage.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis, a disorder marked by swelling and irritation of the pancreas, can cause numerous symptoms, including abdominal pain, fever, and nausea.

Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are open wounds that form in the stomach or upper small bowel, allowing acid to eat at the tissues and causing pain and bleeding.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an uncommon and chronic form of liver disease that can scar the bile ducts, damaging the liver over time.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a liver disorder that scars the bile ducts both inside and outside the organ, causing lasting damage to your health.

Ulcerative Colitis

A form of IBD, ulcerative colitis consists of painful inflammation in the colon's inner wall, but it can be relieved with proper lifestyle changes.

GI Procedures

Anorectal Manometry

Anorectal manometry is a method for assessing the strength of the muscles used to perform a bowel movement, usually to diagnose fecal incontinence.

Argon Laser Therapy

Argon laser therapy offers a more precise approach for your gastroenterologist to address issues like bleeding or scarring in your GI system.

Capsule Endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy is used to obtain a "moving" image of the small intestine through a pill-mounted camera that takes thousands of images of the bowel.

Colon Cancer Screening

By scheduling routine colon cancer screenings, you can fight your risk of cancer. Regular screenings are recommended for patients age 45 or older.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy can be used to look for signs of colon cancer or to remove colorectal polyps, making it the preferred test for colon cancer screenings.

EGD

EGD is short for esophagogastroduodenoscopy, an exam in which a scope is fed through the mouth and into the small bowel to look for problems.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a method used to extract tumors in the walls of your intestines without the need for invasive surgery.

Enteroscopy

An enteroscopy offers your GI physician a thorough look at issues in your small bowel with the help of a long, thin scope inserted through the mouth.

ERCP

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography uses an endoscope and x-rays to diagnose issues in the stomach, bile ducts, small bowel, and esophagus.

Esophageal Dilation

Esophageal dilation is a straightforward procedure to widen the esophagus when strictures (narrow areas) are making it difficult to eat or drink.

Esophageal Manometry

Esophageal manometry is a test used to evaluate the muscle strength of the esophagus and diagnose issues like dysphagia or severe acid reflux.

Feeding Tube Insertion (PEG)

Feeding tube insertion (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) allows the delivery of food and medicine to the stomach when swallowing isn't an option.

FibroScan®

FibroScan is an innovative technology that allows your gastroenterologist to scan the liver for signs of scarring without a need for invasive surgery.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is an investigative GI procedure carried out to monitor or diagnose digestive issues in the lowest part of the colon.

Hemorrhoid Banding

Hemorrhoid banding, also called rubber band ligation, can remove a hemorrhoid by cutting off the flow of blood in a minimally invasive treatment.

Infusion Therapy (IV Infusion)

Infusion therapy can administer medications directly into the veins (intravenously), providing a useful treatment option for certain GI issues.

Sphincterotomy

Lateral internal sphincterotomy is a surgical procedure that may be ordered to treat an anal fissure when standard therapies don't provide relief.