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Symptoms, Conditions & Procedures

The providers at Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology offer a variety of gastrointestinal health services for central and southern Indiana. Using our wealth of experience and the latest techniques, we treat disorders impacting every part of the digestive system, from esophageal ailments like acid reflux to diseases in the colon, including cancer. We are proud to provide high-quality digestive care for patients in Indianapolis, IN. Please take a look through our services to learn more about our offerings.

GI Symptoms

Abdominal Pain

While abdominal pain is not always a serious health concern, you should be examined by a GI doctor if you are experiencing severe, persistent pain.

Anal/Rectal Bleeding

Rectal bleeding may or may not be caused by a serious health condition, but it should always be reported to your GI doctor as a precautionary measure.

Bloating

Bloating, caused by excess gas or fluids in the GI tract, is an extremely common symptom, but it can be relieved with small changes and treatment.

Blood in the Stool

Blood in your stool is a sign of bleeding somewhere in your digestive system and should always be reported to your gastrointestinal specialist.

Bowel Incontinence

Fecal (or bowel) incontinence is a common symptom that can disrupt daily life, but it's manageable with the right treatment from your GI provider.

Constipation

Most people deal with occasional constipation (fewer than three bowel movements in a week), but serious constipation may signal a health problem.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea, described as loose, watery bowel movements, affects the majority of people from time to time, but dire symptoms may indicate a larger issue.

Difficulty Swallowing

Difficulty swallowing may occur as a result of long-term acid reflux scarring, allergic reactions, a partial block in the esophagus, and more.

Gas

Whether it is caused by swallowing air or created by the bacteria in your body, gas can lead to an uncomfortable feeling and unpleasant odors.

Heartburn

Heartburn is a fiery feeling in the chest (along with pain and an acidic taste) that may occur after certain meals or when bending over or lying down.

Indigestion

Indigestion causes uncomfortable feelings like nausea, gas, or bloating after meals. Frequent or severe indigestion should be reviewed by a GI doctor.

Nausea

Nausea is a symptom that makes you feel a need to vomit, and prolonged or severe nausea may signal an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Unexplained Weight Gain/Loss

Unexplained changes in weight — both gains and losses — could be symptomatic of an underlying condition and should be examined by a GI physician.

Vomiting

Vomiting is your body's natural way of expelling threats, but you should talk to a gastroenterologist if vomiting episodes are severe or frequent.

Yellowing of the Skin/Eyes

Certain disorders and conditions can cause the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow, signaling the need for immediate diagnosis and treatment.

GI Conditions

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux, commonly called heartburn, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter fails to close, allowing stomach acid to enter the esophagus.

Anal Abscess

Anal abscesses form when the areas around the anal glands become clogged or infected, leading to symptoms like inflammation, pain, and constipation.

Anal Fissure

An anal fissure is a small cut that can occur in the soft tissue lining the anus, leading to discomfort and visible blood in bowel movements.

Anal Fistula

An anal fistula is a tunnel formed under the skin connecting the anal canal to the skin of the buttocks, causing fevers, pain and swelling, and more.

Anemia/Iron Deficiency

Anemia, commonly caused by iron deficiency, is a condition in which your blood lacks the healthy red cells needed to transport oxygen around the body.

Barrett's Esophagus

Barrett's esophagus is a complication of GERD in which the lining of the esophagus changes to more closely resemble the lining of the small intestine.

Biliary Obstruction

Usually caused by gallstones, biliary obstructions block bile from breaking down the fats you consume, disrupting your digestive (and overall) health.

C. Difficile Colitis

C. difficile colitis occurs when the colon becomes inflamed as a result of bacterial infection, with symptoms ranging from minor to life-threatening.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (celiac sprue) is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the small intestine, blocking you from getting vital nutrients.

Colitis

Colitis describes the swelling of the inner lining of the colon and can come in many forms; it can cause symptoms like diarrhea, cramps, and fatigue.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer can be a life-threatening condition if it goes undetected too long, but it's largely preventable with proactive care and early treatment.

Colorectal Polyps

Colorectal (or colon) polyps are growths that form in the rectum or colon and may progress to colorectal cancer over time if left untreated.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease causes the GI tract to become inflamed, causing painful symptoms that sometimes progress to life-threatening health complications.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) causes recurring vomiting episodes in which you may throw up anywhere from six to 20 times before the episode ends.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis, a potential complication of diverticulosis, is a condition that causes the outer intestinal wall to become infected and inflamed.

Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis is a disease in which small sacs bulge through the outer wall of the colon. Diverticulitis may develop if these sacs become infected.

Dysphagia

People suffering from dysphagia struggle to swallow food or liquid, either because of muscle spasms, nerve damage, or other internal issues.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a condition brought on by inflammation of the esophagus and can cause coughing, pain, acid reflux, and more.

Esophageal Motility Disorder

Esophageal motility disorder is a label that includes a range of disorders affecting the esophageal muscles, making it difficult to swallow food.

Esophageal Stricture

An esophageal stricture occurs when built-up scar tissue develops as a result of acid reflux, making it difficult to swallow food or liquids.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is a condition in which the esophagus (the pipe that moves food from the mouth to the stomach) becomes inflamed, making eating difficult.

Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease is a disorder caused by a buildup of fat in the liver, leading to swelling, scarring, and potentially liver cirrhosis and failure.

Fistula

A fistula is an abnormal passage between two hollow organs that may develop as a consequence of disease or injury. They may also be medically induced.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance describes the body's struggle to digest certain kinds of foods, with symptoms including diarrhea, swelling, vomiting, and fatigue.

Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease is an umbrella term for a list of ailments that can attack your gallbladder, including cholecystitis, gallstones, and more.

Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (also known as stomach cancer) refers to rampant cell growth that starts along the stomach's inner wall and spreads to nearby organs.

Gastritis

Gastritis refers to irritation or inflammation of the stomach lining, leading to heartburn, bloating, vomiting, and a range of other GI symptoms.

GERD

A complication of frequent acid reflux, GERD is a disorder that develops as the esophagus becomes scarred and irritated from exposure to stomach acid.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis can slow or stop the muscles that push food through the stomach, disrupting your digestion and putting you at risk of malnutrition.

Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter (H. pylori) is a bacteria that’s found in your stomach that impacts your digestive system, causing ulcers when not treated properly.

Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is when an excess of iron builds up in the body, causing major damage to organs like the heart, liver, and pancreas.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids (piles) happen when the vein walls are extremely thin near the lower rectum and anus, causing the veins to protrude or bulge.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a viral infection that causes swelling or inflammation of the liver and can consist of three different types known as type A, B, and C.

Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernias are when a portion of your stomach pushes up in the hiatus (a part of your diaphragm) and enters your chest caused by weakened muscles.

Ileitis

Ileitis is a condition that causes swelling and discomfort of the ileum (the part of the small bowel) that causes cramping, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Impacted Bowel

An impacted bowel is when something is blocking the function of the small or large intestine that causes abdominal pain, a swollen stomach, and more.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is irritation present in your gastrointestinal tract that is grouped into Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome happens when symptoms like soreness in the stomach, colon, and other parts of the GI system arise on a consistent basis.

Jaundice

Jaundice is when the skin and eyes become yellowish due to bilirubin and the liver can’t break it down or remove it from the blood quickly enough.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is when the body is intolerant of lactose because it won’t generate enough of the enzyme lactase to break up the lactose.

Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is what happens when the liver is inflamed and scarred from issues like chronic alcohol abuse or late-stage liver disease.

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is when a buildup of fat in your liver and/or inflammation is present. Without proper care it can impact liver function.

Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia Syndrome

Non-ulcer dyspepsia syndrome is the presence of recurring signs and symptoms of indigestion and abdominal pain that doesn't have a specific cause.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is when the pancreas becomes inflamed and swollen, preventing proper function and affecting food digestion and insulin circulation.

Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are open sores that occur in the stomach or upper small intestine. These sores cause discomfort, bleeding, and pain.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an uncommon degenerative immune system condition that will gradually damage the bile ducts in the liver.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a disease that impacts the liver bile ducts making them irritated, damaged, and narrowed, causing liver cirrhosis.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a condition that causes irritating inflammation and ulcerations within your intestinal system, most often in the colon.

GI Procedures

Anorectal Manometry

Anorectal manometry is an exam that’s completed to evaluate the reflexes and strength of the muscles needed for performing a regular bowel movement.

Argon Laser Therapy

Argon laser therapy uses a device that emits channels of light with a wavelength absorbed by specific pigments that help to heal GI conditions.

Capsule Endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy is an endoscopic procedure where a pill with a camera is ingested that captures multiple photos of the small bowel or intestine.

Colon Cancer Screening

A colon cancer screening checks for polyps and cancerous growths inside the walls of the rectum and colon located in the large intestine.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is an exam where a camera is inserted to look for changes in the colon such as irritation, inflammation, polyps, or cancer.

EGD

An upper GI endoscopy can help pinpoint why patients experience GI problems like stomach pain, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and bleeding.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

Endoscopic mucosal resection enables doctors to remove tumors located beneath the gastrointestinal wall without an invasive operation.

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

An endoscopic ultrasound uses a scope to look inside the intestine to address and diagnose ailments and different types of cancers.

Enteroscopy

Enteroscopy is a procedure where a lengthy, thin scope is inserted into your mouth so the esophagus, stomach, and small bowel can be scanned.

ERCP

An ERCP is a procedure where a scope is placed into the mouth and the small intestine to examine the entire GI tract to check for abnormalities.

Esophageal Dilation

Esophageal dilation is when your GI providers expand or spread out a tightened or clogged area of the esophagus to fix the narrowing of the esophagus.

Esophageal Manometry

Esophageal manometry is a study that’s performed to evaluate contraction and relaxation functions of the esophagus, also called a motility assessment.

Feeding Tube Insertion (PEG)

Feeding tube insertion is a treatment that inserts a tube in the stomach to provide nutrition, fluid, and medications instantly to the stomach.

FibroScan®

FibroScan is an ultrasound-based test (transient elastography) used to assess the presence of fibrosis and steatosis that’s present in the liver.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic technique where a scope is positioned into the rectum to the large intestine to examine the entire colon.

Hemorrhoid Banding

Hemorrhoid banding is a hemorrhoid removal technique that uses rubber bands to stop blood flow to the hemorrhoid so it can be removed.

Infusion Therapy (IV Infusion)

Infusion therapy is when medication or fluid is provided directly into the blood vessel to help with autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s disease.

Sphincterotomy

Sphincterotomy is a surgery carried out to provide treatment for anal fissures (a rip in the lining of the anus that causes bleeding and discomfort).