TOPICS

Symptoms, Conditions & Procedures

Gastrointestinal problems can make it difficult to enjoy everyday activities. At Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, our providers specialize in a wide array of advanced treatments and diagnostic procedures to help restore our patients' health. From ultrasounds to laser therapy, we are proud to serve communities in Texas and beyond with the best in gastrointestinal healthcare. Some of our most common procedures include colonoscopies, which are used to screen for signs of colon cancer, and upper endoscopies. We also offer services for patients suffering from Crohn's disease, GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and a wide range of other GI disorders.

GI Symptoms

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is often not serious, but can be a sign of something more serious if persistent — consistent abdominal pain should be addressed.

Anal/Rectal Bleeding

Rectal bleeding could be caused by a variety of issues, some more serious than others, so it's important to schedule an exam when you experience this.

Bloating

Bloating is a GI symptom typically caused by the buildup of gas in the digestive tract and can be quite uncomfortable if left unaddressed.

Blood in the Stool

A bloody appearance in your poop means that bleeding is present somewhere in your GI tract, which could be caused by a variety of factors.

Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence describes being unable to maintain control over bowel movements, ranging from total loss of control to slight discharges.

Constipation

Constipation is generally described as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week and occurs when the stool becomes too dry and hard.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a condition where your bowel movements are loose and watery three or more times a day and may need to be addressed by a GI specialist.

Difficulty Swallowing

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) describes struggling to move food and liquids from the throat to the stomach, caused by concerns like muscle spasms.

Heartburn

Heartburn is irritation of the esophagus that describes a burning sensation in your throat or chest. It can increase after eating or when lying down.

Indigestion

Indigestion describes a painful sensation in the upper abdomen accompanied by symptoms like stomach pain or the feeling of fullness after eating.

Nausea

Nausea is a queasy sensation in the stomach that makes you believe you have to throw up. Food poisoning or viral or bacterial infection may cause it.

Unexplained Weight Gain/Loss

Unexplained weight gain or loss is an increase or decrease in weight when you aren't attempting to do so. It can indicate a serious underlying issue.

Vomiting

Vomiting occurs when the body perceives a threat and wants to expel the substance. Bacterial and viral infections or food poisoning can cause it.

Yellowing of the Skin/Eyes

Yellowing of the skin and eyes can result from liver disease, biliary dysfunction, gallbladder inflammation or high amounts of bilirubin in the blood.

GI Conditions

Acid Reflux

When the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) doesn't close all the way, acid can seep into the esophagus, causing acid reflux, often known as heartburn.

Anal Fissure

An anal fissure is a small tear or rip in the lining of the anus that is typically caused by passing a large stool, childbirth, or something else.

Anemia/Iron Deficiency

Anemia develops when the blood lacks red blood cells and is unable to deliver enough oxygen and could cause health issues if left untreated.

Barrett's Esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus is connected with GERD and occurs when the regular tissue lining of the esophagus changes to become more like intestinal tissue.

Biliary Obstruction

Bile duct obstruction occurs when bile is stopped from processing foods which could make it hard to get rid of waste and could lead to liver disease.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an immune condition that impacts your body after you eat gluten products and can cause headaches, fatigue, gas, bloating, and more.

C. Difficile Colitis

C. difficile colitis is bacteria that contaminates the body, resulting in intestinal problems. The germs infect the body, causing bowel inflammation.

Colitis

Colitis is a GI condition where the inner lining of the colon is inflamed. Causes can vary and may impact the treatments available.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer becomes more common among individuals after age 45, but it can be prevented with routine colonoscopies and colon cancer screenings.

Colorectal Polyps

Colorectal polyps are typically benign and often do not lead to symptoms, however, need to be addressed because they can turn cancerous.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease can affect the entire intestinal wall and beyond and may cause discomfort and symptoms like fever, cramps, rectal bleeding, and more.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

Cyclic vomiting syndrome describes episodes of severe vomiting with no specific cause. Episodes can last hours or days, with symptom-free periods.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis occurs when the intestine's outer wall is infected or inflamed. It stems from diverticulosis and has many of the same risk factors.

Diverticulosis

When small pouches of your intestines bulge through the outer lining of the colon this is called diverticulosis, which can lead to diverticulitis.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing food or drink and can be caused by muscle spasms in the throat or esophagus or something else entirely.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an inflammatory disease of the esophagus that makes it hard to swallow and may cause acid reflux, and stomach pain.

Esophageal Motility Disorder

Esophageal motility disorder happens when esophagus muscles don't contract properly, causing issues with transporting food and liquid to the stomach.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is when the esophagus is inflamed and causes damage to the tissue. It may be caused because of acid accumulation, infection, and more.

Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease (FLD) is a disease where fat bunches up in the liver cells and can cause hepatitis or even permanent damage if left untreated.

Fistula

A fistula is an irregular connection between two organs that has four variations. Certain diseases, injuries, or surgeries can cause the condition.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance often occurs gradually after eating (typically too much of) certain foods and can have symptoms like bloating, vomiting, and more.

Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease encompasses a variety of issues that affect the gallbladder, like gallstones, cholecystitis, and biliary dyskinesia.

Gastritis

Gastritis happens when the stomach lining gets inflamed, irritated, or eroded and can increase the risk of ulcers or cancer, but can be treated.

GERD

GERD is when acid reflux is experienced once a week in mild cases or at least two times per week in severe cases and often occurs after age 40.

Helicobacter Pylori

H. pylori is a bacteria in the stomach that can cause infection and lead to ulcers by attacking the inner lining of the stomach if left untreated.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids often occur when the vein walls in the rectum or anus become so thin that these inflamed veins protrude or bulge out.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis comes in three forms: A, B, and C, and while treatable, can lead to hepatic cancer and loss of liver function if not treated.

Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernia can occur when a portion of the stomach pushes through the small hole in your diaphragm (hiatus) causing acid buildup and heartburn.

Ileitis

Ileitis is inflammation in the ileum (end of the small bowel where it connects to the large intestine). It causes cramping, diarrhea, or weight loss.

Impacted Bowel

Impacted bowel is an intestinal obstruction that happens when your large or small intestine is blocked, which causes stomach pain and nausea.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBD is a common term to describe inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract and presents as either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS can be described as a bunch of long-term symptoms that appear within the digestive system, which can be caused by diet, stress, and more.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is defined as the body's inability to produce enough lactase to break down lactose in the dairy products you ingest.

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

NASH is characterized by the buildup of fat in your liver that is accompanied by inflammation and can cause liver issues and more if not treated.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a medical condition that occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed and swollen and is prevented from performing its normal role.

Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are open sores located in the stomach or upper small intestine that can result in discomfort, pain, and bleeding.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic disease that can lead to permanent liver damage and, if left untreated, liver failure or even death.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a disease that can lead to liver failure, infections, and tumors in the bile duct and liver.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis irritates the inner wall of the colon, causing discomfort. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medication, and/or surgery.

Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis happens when the liver is inflamed due to issues like late-stage liver disease and alcoholism, causing a decline in liver function.

Jaundice

Jaundice happens in newborn babies when bilirubin (yellow byproduct of red blood cells) builds up in the blood, causing yellow-colored skin and eyes.

GI Procedures

Anorectal Manometry

Anorectal manometry is a test that analyzes the muscles necessary for normal bowel movements, often to measure problems with fecal incontinence.

Argon Laser Therapy

Using argon gas, argon laser therapy creates beams of light to treat GI ailments like bleeding, mucosal lesions, dysphagia, and strictures.

Capsule Endoscopy

A capsule endoscopy gives an inside view of the small intestine through the use of a camera encased inside of a pill that the patient swallows.

Colon Cancer Screening

Regular colon cancer screenings are a vital way to detect and prevent cancer, especially for people over 45 and those who have an elevated risk.

Colonoscopy

Routine colonoscopies are recommended for people 45 and older as a way to detect colorectal problems and remove growths that may develop into cancer.

Colorectal Surgery

Colorectal surgery may be performed to treat a range of conditions affecting the colon, rectum, and anus, including hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer.

EGD

A EGD is an exam involving a scope that is inserted into the mouth and through the upper parts of the GI tract to diagnose certain conditions.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

Endoscopic mucosal resection is a minimally invasive procedure where an endoscope is used to pinpoint and extract tumors just under the GI wall.

Enteroscopy

An enteroscopy is a diagnostic test involving a scope inserted through the mouth and advanced to the second portion of the small intestine.

ERCP

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is used to aid in diagnosing GI issues in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and bile duct.

Esophageal Dilation

Esophageal dilation opens up the esophagus when it is constricted or obstructed, providing relief for patients who are having trouble swallowing food.

Esophageal Manometry

An esophageal motility exam measures the muscles of the esophagus and can help diagnose problems like severe acid reflux or difficulty swallowing.

Feeding Tube Insertion (PEG)

Feeding tube insertion is when a tube is placed directly into the stomach to provide nutrients, fluids, and medications when one can’t consume orally.

FibroScan®

The latest in ultrasound technology, FibroScan offers a noninvasive way to assess scarring (fibrosis) and fatty change (steatosis) in the liver.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is an endoscopic test used to check the colon for abnormalities and diagnose various gastrointestinal symptoms.

Hemorrhoid Banding

Hemorrhoid banding (rubber band ligation) is a nonsurgical treatment that restricts blood flow to a hemorrhoid, causing it to contract and fall off.

Infusion Therapy (IV Infusion)

If you're receiving IV treatment for a GI tract disease, infusion therapy offers many of the same medications in a safe, comfortable environment.

Sphincterotomy

A sphincterotomy is a surgery completed for the treatment of anal fissures. A small incision is made to release pressure and allow for healing.