Digestive Conditions and Procedures

Learn more about common digestive conditions treated at the Covenant Digestive Care Center, as well as available procedures. 

Conditions

• Barrett's Syndrome (Acid Reflux, Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)): Barrett's esophagus is a change in the lining of the esophagus that needs close monitoring since it can turn into cancer.
• Liver Disease: Your liver helps with digestion and ridding your body of toxins. Liver disease or disorder happens when the liver stops functioning properly or is injured from an infection or a variety of different inflammatory conditions.
• Pancreas Disease (Pancreatitis): The pancreas controls the hormones that break down food in your body. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas.
• Colon Cancer: This is a cancer of the large intestine, the lower part of the digestive system.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• Ulcerative Colitis: A chronic inflammatory disease that can cause ulcers (sores) in the lining of the large intestine.
• Crohn's Disease: A chronic inflammatory disease that can cause ulcers (sores) in any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.

Procedures

• Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is a procedure in which the doctor uses a lighted, flexible scope with a camera to look directly at the lining of your colon. If you are having symptoms of a lower GI problem, such as diarrhea, constipation, sudden changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, rectal bleeding or abdominal pain, your doctor may request this procedure. If your doctor determines it is necessary, tissue samples may be taken and polyps may be removed during the procedure. This process is painless.
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD): This procedure visually inspects the esophagus, the stomach and upper duodenum. The procedure is done by inserting a flexible endoscope down the throat. An endoscope is a small camera that functions as a tool to examine the internal organs. If you are having chronic heartburn, trouble swallowing or abdominal pain, your doctor may request this procedure. If your doctor determines it is necessary, tissue samples may be taken during the procedure. This process is painless.
• Radiofrequency Therapy (RFA): This procedure is used for Barrett's Syndrome with low or high grade dysplasia. Radiofrequency energy is delivered via a catheter to the esophagus to remove diseased tissue while minimizing injury to healthy esophagus tissue.
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): A procedure to treat problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts, combining upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and x-rays.