Topics

Symptoms, Conditions & Procedures

At Arizona Digestive Health, our services include many comprehensive GI treatments and diagnostic exams. If you are looking for a routine colonoscopy in Arizona, we have providers who perform this potentially life-saving exam to screen for colorectal cancer. Additionally, we offer other endoscopic procedures to help diagnose and treat troubling gastrointestinal symptoms. Some of our most popular services include rubber band ligation for hemorrhoids, Remicade® infusion to treat inflammatory bowel disease, and dietitian services. We offer treatments for conditions like celiac disease, GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome. Contact our office to request your consultation.

GI Symptoms

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is any type of discomfort between the chest and the pelvis, and it can be a sign of several significant gastrointestinal conditions.

Anal/Rectal Bleeding

Anal/Rectal bleeding is blood passed through the rectum. Rectal bleeding should be investigated by a GI physician as it could have serious causes.

Bloating

Bloating is the uncomfortable tight feeling in the gut that happens due to the accumulation of excess gas or fluid retention in the digestive tract.

Blood in the Stool

Blood in the stool indicates that bleeding is happening somewhere in your GI system. This is a serious symptom and should be evaluated immediately.

Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence (also called fecal incontinence) is difficulty controlling or restraining bowel movements, resulting in the leakage of stool.

Constipation

Constipation occurs when stool becomes too hard and dry. If you have less than 3 bowel movements in a week, you may be suffering from constipation.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is characterized by loose, watery bowel movements. As a common symptom of GI distress, chronic diarrhea should be checked by a GI doctor.

Difficulty Swallowing

Difficulty swallowing can make it harder to consume the nutrients you need to live fully, and it can happen due to conditions like achalasia.

Heartburn

Heartburn or acid reflux is the burning sensation in the chest and throat that occurs when the muscles in the lower esophagus do not completely close.

Indigestion

Indigestion is pain or discomfort in the upper abdominal area that can also be accompanied by a feeling of fullness after the consumption of food.

Nausea

Nausea is the uneasy feeling in the stomach that gives someone the sensation of needing to vomit due to various conditions or possible illnesses.

Unexplained Weight Gain/Loss

When unexplained weight loss or weight gain happens, it can be a symptom of a serious underlying illness and should be evaluated by a GI doctor.

Vomiting

Vomiting is a forceful expulsion of the contents of the stomach that occurs when the body feels at risk due to viruses or other dangers, like poisons.

Yellowing of the Skin/Eyes

Yellowing of the Skin/Eyes is a condition where the skin and whites of the eyes turn a yellowish hue due to high amounts of bilirubin in the blood.

GI Conditions

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux or heartburn is when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close completely, allowing stomach acid to flow back up the esophagus.

Anal Fissure

Anal fissures are any rips, tears, or cuts in the fragile tissue that surrounds the anus and they can cause pain, discomfort, and blood in the stool.

Anemia/Iron Deficiency

Anemia happens when there is not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body, and a common cause of anemia is iron deficiency.

Barrett's Esophagus

Barrett's esophagus is a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) where the esophageal tissues change to match intestinal tissue.

Biliary Obstruction

A biliary obstruction happens when one or more of the bile ducts gets blocked. Symptoms include jaundice, stomach pain, dark urine, and pale stools.

C. Difficile Colitis

C. difficile colitis is a condition that causes swelling and inflammation in the large intestine caused by the bacterium clostridioides difficile.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where ingesting gluten (a protein found in grains like wheat and rye) causes damage to the small intestines.

Colitis

Colitis refers to conditions that cause swelling along the inner wall of the colon, which may be caused by a number of underlying GI problems.

Colon Cancer

Colon and rectal cancer occur when tumorous growths evolve in the colon. Colon cancer can be detected and even prevented with routine colonoscopies.

Colorectal Polyps

Colon and rectal polyps, often called colorectal polyps, are small growths found in the colon and rectum. Some of these can develop into cancer later.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes painful swelling of the digestive tract, and leads to symptoms like weight loss.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

Cyclic vomiting syndrome, or CVS, is a condition with no known cause resulting in severe nausea and sudden, repeated vomiting attacks, or episodes.

Digestive Disorders

Our board-certified gastroenterologists treat numerous disorders that affect the GI tract including constipation, hemorrhoids, ulcers, and GERD.

Diseases of the Liver

There are a variety of different diseases that affect the liver, and symptoms that something is wrong include jaundice and changes in stool color.

Diseases of the Gallbladder

The gallbladder is an organ that stores and releases bile, and diseases that can impact its function include cholecystitis and gallstones.

Diseases of the Pancreas

Conditions that can hinder the pancreas include acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, hereditary pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a possible complication of diverticulosis where infection or inflammation occurs in pockets in the outer lining of the intestine.

Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis is where small pouches of your intestine bulge outward through the outer lining of the colon. This condition can be benign.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is a condition in which a person has difficulty or inability to swallow food or liquids due to internal structural issues or muscle spasms.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a disease of the esophagus that can cause inflammation, difficulty swallowing, acid reflux, and upper stomach pain.

Esophageal Motility Disorder

Esophageal Motility Disorder is a condition where the muscles in the esophagus fail to contract keeping foods and liquids from being transported.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is the generalized inflammation or irritation of the esophagus, the pipe used for transporting food from the mouth to the stomach.

Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease (FLD) is a condition where fat bunches up in the liver cells, causing liver inflammation that can then lead to liver failure.

Fistula

A fistula is an irregular connection, or tunnel, between two hollow organs in the body that may be medically induced or created by disease or injury.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance is referred to as difficulty in consuming certain types of food and can cause symptoms like bloating, tiredness, and vomiting.

Gallstones

Gallstones are hardened pieces of material that develop in the gallbladder and can lead to sudden pain and complications if they block the bile ducts.

Gastroenterology Diets

A gastroenterology diet is typically recommended under the supervision of a GI doctor to help diagnose or treat various gastrointestinal ailments.

Gallbladder Disease

The gallbladder stores and regulates bile. Gallbladder disease is described as the issues and diseases that negatively affect the gallbladder.

Gastritis

Gastritis is the swelling, irritation, or erosion of the protective lining of the stomach, and can increase your chances of other GI conditions.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis occurs because of decreased motility in the digestive system, meaning that gastric emptying is delayed and food is digested slowly.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is when a person frequently experiences acid reflux or heartburn, leading to complications with the esophagus.

Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is a disorder in which an excess of iron builds up in the body, which can damage major organs like the liver, heart, and pancreas.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins in the lower anus or rectum. Possible treatments in Phoenix, AZ include hemorrhoid banding.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis (the most common forms being hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C) is a viral infection that causes inflammation in the liver.

Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers if an active infection is present. It can come from unclean water or food.

Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernia is a condition where a portion of the stomach pushes through a small hole in your diaphragm, causing acid buildup and heartburn.

Ileitis

Ileitis is an ailment signified by irritation or swelling in the ileum, the last portion of the small bowel where it connects to the large intestine.

Impacted Bowel

An impacted bowel happens when hardened stool hinders movement in your intestines, causing the inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a category of diseases that causes swelling in your GI tract, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that involves lasting symptoms of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and nausea.

Jaundice

Jaundice is characterized by the yellowing of the skin and the white regions of the eyes; this is caused by an accumulation of bilirubin in the body.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is when the body is not producing enough lactase to break down lactose, causing a variety of symptoms when dairy is consumed.

Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is a medical condition where the liver becomes inflamed and scarred which can cause severe damage if not treated.

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a variation of fatty liver disease (excessive fat in the liver) that is not connected to heavy alcohol use.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is when the pancreas, which excretes potent digestive enzymes into the small intestine, becomes inflamed and does not function well.

Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop in the stomach (gastric) or small intestine (duodenal) that can cause pain, bleeding, and discomfort.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis

PBC is a rare chronic liver condition that affects the body's ability to process fat and impurities; PBC should be diagnosed as soon as possible.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) irritates, damages, and constricts the bile ducts inside and outside the liver, sometimes leading to cirrhosis.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the colon's inner lining, leading to GI issues.

GI Procedures

Anorectal Manometry

An anorectal manometry is a diagnostic test used to assess the power and strength of the muscles required for performing a normal bowel movement.

Argon Laser Therapy

Argon laser therapy uses argon gas and a specific light to treat GI conditions like dysphagia, mucosal lesions, hemorrhages, and strictures.

Barrett's Ablation

Barrett's ablation uses radiofrequency energy during an upper endoscopy to ablate a precancerous lining of the esophagus from Barrett's esophagus.

Capsule Endoscopy

A small bowel capsule endoscopy is a procedure where a small capsule the size of a pill is swallowed and used to make measurements of the GI tract.

Chronic Care Management

CCM provides coverage for patients who have two or more chronic diseases; we work with your health care team to manage your overall health.

Colon Cancer Screening

Colon and rectal cancer can be caught early or even prevented by regular colon cancer screenings in Phoenix, AZ, such as a routine colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy in Arizona is the gold standard in colon cancer screening and can detect and prevent colorectal cancer by removing polyps.

Dietitian Services

Changes to your diet can help in treating symptoms of multiple digestive disorders, and we offer dietitian services in Phoenix, AZ to assist patients.

EGD

Upper GI Endoscopy (EGD) is an endoscopic diagnostic procedure where a scope is advanced through the mouth to investigate troubling GI symptoms.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

Endoscopic mucosal resection is a minimally invasive procedure that allows for the removal of tumors just below the intestinal wall without surgery.

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a procedure where a scope (flexible tube with a camera on it) is used to look inside the intestines.

Enteroscopy

An enteroscopy makes it possible to check the upper GI tract for problems with the use of an advanced scope inserted through the patient's mouth.

ERCP

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure where a scope (camera) is advanced through the mouth to the small intestines.

Esophageal Dilation

Esophageal dilation is a procedure in which a gastroenterologist stretches out a constricted or damaged portion of the esophagus to treat GI issues.

Esophageal Manometry

An esophageal manometry is a motility study test designed to measure the contractile and relaxation properties of the esophagus to diagnose GI issues.

Feeding Tube Insertion (PEG)

Feeding tube insertion, or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), allows for food and medications to be pumped directly into a patient's stomach.

FibroScan®

A FibroScan®, also called transient elastography, is a noninvasive method of evaluating the liver for damage from issues like fibrosis and steatosis.

Hemorrhoid Banding

Rubber band ligation in Phoenix, AZ treats uncomfortable hemorrhoids by placing a band around the base of the hemorrhoid, causing it to wilt and die.

Hepatitis Management

The hepatitis C virus, HCV, attacks the liver and leads to dangerous inflammation. Our providers can help diagnose, treat, and manage this condition.

IRC

Hemorrhoids can be treated with infrared coagulation (IRC), which uses pulses of infrared energy to shrink hemorrhoids and provide relief to patients.

Remicade® Infusion

Remicade® is a new drug for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) that is administered by IV infusion.

Infusion Therapy (IV Infusion)

Infusion (IV) therapy administers medications and/or fluids directly into the patient via a vein when oral or pill medications are insufficient.

Sigmoidoscopy

Flexible sigmoidoscopy in Phoenix, AZ is a procedure where a scope is inserted into the sigmoid colon to screen for cancer and diagnose conditions.

Small Bowel Enteroscopy

Small bowel enteroscopy is an endoscopic procedure to help evaluate gastrointestinal bleeding, small bowel tumors, or other small bowel diseases.

Sphincterotomy

A lateral internal sphincterotomy is a surgical option used to help heal anal fissures when more conservative treatments haven't produced results.