General Gastroenterology
The general gastroenterology team at the Augusta University Digestive Health Center
specializes in all areas of the digestive tract, but focus on one thing - you.
We take the time to listen to our patients so we can fully understand your symptoms,
find the right diagnosis, and recommend the right treatment plan for you.
And because we are a comprehensive digestive health center that is affiliated with
an academic medical center, all of your care and referrals are coordinated right here
under one roof.
General Gastroenterology
The general gastroenterology team at the Augusta University Digestive Health Center
specializes in all areas of the digestive tract, but focus on one thing - you.
We take the time to listen to our patients so we can fully understand your symptoms,
find the right diagnosis, and recommend the right treatment plan for you.
And because we are a comprehensive digestive health center that is affiliated with
an academic medical center, all of your care and referrals are coordinated right here
under one roof.
Our Approach
Your visit to the Augusta University Digestive Health Center begins with seeing a
general gastroenterologist. They will discuss your symptoms and concerns with you
and give you the opportunity to ask questions. After your meeting, you may then be
referred to other digestive health specialists, within our center, for treatment.
We encourage you to bring family members with you to your visit. As pioneers in patient-and-family-centered
care Augusta University Health knows that families are an important part of the decision-making
process when it comes to your health care.
Conditions We Treat
Many problems that can occur along your digestive system. Some of the common ones
we see include, but are not limited to:
- Appendicitis
- Diverticulitis
- Celiac disease
- GERD, reflux disease
- IBS, irritable bowel disease
- Polyps
- Ulcers
Our Services
We offer diagnosis and treatment for a broad range of digestive system problems.
Some of the procedures we perform are:
- Anoscopy: This exam uses a small tube to examine problems of the anal canal.
- Colonoscopy/flexible sigmoidoscopy: A colonoscopy involves passing an endoscope through your anus to examine the entire
colon. Sigmoidoscopy evaluates the rectum, sigmoid and left-sided colon only.
- Endoscopic band ligation: A physician uses a scope to place tiny bands around the base of abnormally enlarged
blood vessels that can develop in the esophagus. The bands cut off circulation so
that these vessels wither and fall off.
- Endoscopic stenting: A physician places hollow tubes or stents to open up areas of the digestive tract
narrowed by stones, tumors, or other problems in the esophagus, bile ducts, duodenum
(first section of the small intestine), or colon.
- Endoscopy/gastroscopy: This procedure uses a thin, flexible tube that is inserted through the mouth to examine
the stomach. A physician may also deliver treatments during this procedure, including
biopsy, balloon dilation, and control of any GI bleeding.
- Enteroscopy: This procedure uses a thin, flexible tube that is inserted through the mouth to directly
examine the small intestine.
- Esophagoscopy: This procedure uses a thin, flexible tube that is inserted through the mouth to examine
the esophagus.
- Foreign body removal: This includes the removal of objects such as unchewed food or other swallowed items
lodged in the esophagus, stomach and duodenum and colon.
- Laser argon plasma coagulation and tumor ablation: During this endoscopic procedure, a physician delivers thermal energy to control bleeding,
ablate tumors, or treat Barrett’s esophagus (Barryx).
- Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: During this procedure, an endoscope is inserted through the mouth and into the stomach
for the placement of a feeding tube.
- Percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy: This surgical procedure places a feeding tube into the small intestine.
- Videocapsule endoscopy: This minimally invasive procedure involves swallowing a capsule about the size of
a large vitamin. This capsule has a camera that records images of your digestive tract.
- Polypectomy: This procedure involves passing a wire loop around a polyp and removing this precancerous
or cancerous growth. This can be done in the stomach, small bowel, or colon. Advanced
procedures such as saline-assisted polypectomy are also available.
Digestive Surgery
Digestive patients who need surgery benefit from the experience of our surgeons and
the latest technologies for diagnosis and treatment. Our surgeons are trained to
perform many digestive system procedures including traditional surgeries, minimally
invasive surgeries [link] and endoscopic surgical techniques including:
- Laparoscopic surgery
- Advance flexible endoscopic surgery
- Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS)
- Robotic surgery
