Cancer of the GI Tract- malignancy of a portion of the gastrointestinal system. Diagnosis may require performance of procedures with biopsy. Sites may include: Colon, Stomach, Esophagus, Pancreas, Liver.

Cirrhosis is a permanent injury of the liver resulting from chronic liver diseases. It results in the inability of the liver to function properly in its role of processing nutrients, hormones, drugs and toxins. Fatigue, exhaustion, loss of appetite and weakness are symptoms. Nausea and weight loss may also be experienced, and in the later stages, the patient may have jaundice (yellow skin), bleeding or a swollen belly. Diagnosis may require lab tests, ultrasound, scans or a biopsy of the liver.

Colon Polyps are abnormal growths from the lining of the colon. Some polyps can turn into cancers. Removal of polyps reduces the chance of getting colon cancer. These are usually diagnosed with a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.

Constipation is infrequency of bowel movements ( less than three per week) or excessive straining with bowel movements. Many conditions may result in constipation. Diagnosis may require lab testing, x-rays or procedures.

Crohn's Disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the ileum (the lower part of the small intestine) and may involve the colon and other parts of the digestive tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain, often following a meal, and diarrhea. Loss of appetite, weight loss, fever and joint pain are also common. Patients may have fissures (cracks) or sores around the anal area, fistulas (abnormal openings from the bowel to the skin) or abscesses. Diagnosis of this disease may require lab tests, x-rays or procedures such as sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. 

Diarrhea is a condition in which the patient has frequent loose stools, often with an urgent need to move the bowels. Diarrhea is a symptom of more than 100 different diseases.

Diverticular Disease begins with the presence of divertula ( a little sac of lining that bulges out through the muscle layers of the intestine) which is called diverticulosis. This is not a problem unless it becomes inflamed (diverticulitis) when it may cause such symptoms as severe cramping pain, nausea, constipation, fever, or chills. X-rays or procedures such as colonoscopy may be needed to diagnose this disease.

Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing. Sometimes this may be felt as something stuck in the throat that won't go down. This may have a number of causes which may require testing or performance of procedures such as EGD for diagnosis.

GI Bleeding is bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. Bleeding may be from any one of several locations and may require performance of procedures such as EGD or colonoscopy for diagnosis.

Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach which may have a variety of causes. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain or discomfort, and gassiness.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a term used to describe several digestive conditions with different degrees of severity. These conditions are caused by the regurgitation or back-up of stomach acid into the esophagus ( the food tube which connects the mouth to the stomach). The stomach is usually protected from the acid, but it can burn the inside of the esophagus. Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. Although many people have occasional heartburn, when it becomes almost constant, the condition is a more serious problem, called reflux esophagitis. This condition is very painful, and ordinary antacids are not able to control it. If the lower esophagus is exposed to too much acid over a prolonged period, the area can become badly damaged (erosive esophagitis) or may develop a narrow spot (stricture).

Hepatitis is a contagious disease caused by viruses or other conditions which attack the liver causing inflammation and sometimes permanent damage to the liver. Hepatitis A is caused by ingesting contaminated food or water. Although patients can become quite ill with Hepatitis A, this disease is rarely life threatening and never becomes chronic. Hepatitis B is one of the most serious types of hepatitis. Spread through infected blood, needles and sexual contact, this disease is a major health problem. Hepatitis B can become chronic and may lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Treatments are available for chronic Hepatitis B. There is a vaccine that can prevent this disease. Hepatitis C is also transmitted through infected blood and needles, but rarely is spread through sexual contact. It frequently becomes chronic and may slowly destroy the liver. Treatment is available that can eliminate the virus in some individuals. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common disorder of the intestines that leads to pain associated with a change in bowel habits, gassiness or bloating. This syndrome also has been called colitis, spastic bowel, spastic colon, or functional bowel disease. However, colitis means inflammation of the bowel and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not an inflammatory disease. Examination and testing is done to exclude other diseases. Because it is a disorder of function, there is no sign of disease when the colon is examined.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas with upper abdominal pain as the major symptom. It is diagnosed with lab tests and abdominal ultrasound.

Rectal Bleeding is bleeding from the lower portion of the large intestine or rectum. It may have any one of a number of causes. Diagnosis of rectal bleeding may require x-rays or procedure such as colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Ulcer is a condition in which an open sore is present in some portion of the GI tract. Ulcers are frequently found in the stomach (gastric ulcer) or the upper small intestine (duodenal ulcer). Some ulcers heal by themselves while others require treatment. Several factors are believed to contribute to ulcers in the stomach or duodenum, including a germ called Helicobacter pylori and use of aspirin or aspirin-like, medications, such as ibuprofen. Diagnosis may require lab tests, x-rays or procedures such as an EGD.

Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon in which symptoms include bloody diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain and severe urgency to move the bowels. Diagnosis may require x-rays as well as procedures such as sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.