TOPICS

Symptoms, Conditions & Procedures

Cutting-Edge Procedures

Connecticut GI specialists use the most advanced technology to deliver comprehensive care for patients of all ages. Our skilled providers treat a wide range of common gastrointestinal symptoms and conditions, offering personalized treatments and procedures to help improve the health of Connecticut patients. We invite you to explore the GI symptoms, conditions, and procedures below to learn more about our scope of specialized care.

GI Symptoms

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain describes discomfort anywhere between the pelvis and chest; there are several GI conditions or reasons that can cause abdominal pain.

Anal/Rectal Bleeding

Anal bleeding describes bright red or dark wine-colored blood that emerges through the rectum and can be a sign of bleeding in the large intestine.

Bloating

Bloating is caused by excess gas in the GI tract or by the body retaining excess fluid and can be caused by several factors related to your diet.

Blood in the Stool

Blood in the stool is a strong indicator of bleeding in the GI tract; it could be a sign of GI conditions like hemorrhoids or a form of IBD.

Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence occurs when you can no longer control your bowel movements, ranging from total loss of control to fecal leaks when passing gas.

Constipation

Constipation occurs when hard or dry stool passes through the GI tract slowly, often resulting in fewer than three bowel movements a week.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a watery, loose stool that occurs more frequently than regular bowel movements and can be caused by bad food, stress, or a GI condition.

Difficulty Swallowing

Difficulty swallowing describes the struggle of moving food from your mouth to your throat, esophagus, and stomach and should be assessed immediately.

Heartburn

Heartburn is described as the burning sensation in your chest that is often worse at night, after you eat, or when lying down or bending over.

Indigestion

Indigestion is characterized as any discomfort in the upper abdominal region, often causing stomach pain, burping, bloating, and feeling queasy.

Nausea

Nausea is a queasy feeling in your stomach that makes you individual feel like you may vomit, often caused by food, a virus, or a GI condition.

Unexplained Weight Gain/Loss

Unintentional weight loss or gain could be a result of medication, stress, anxiety, or a GI condition like celiac disease, ulcers, or GERD.

Vomiting

Vomiting is your body's way of protecting you from a threat like a virus or poison; frequent vomiting could be a sign of a more serious condition.

Yellowing of the Skin/Eyes

High levels of bilirubin often cause yellowing of the eyes and the skin in adults as a result of a GI condition like a bile duct obstruction.

GI Conditions

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is characterized as a burning sensation that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus due to a weakened LES.

Anal Fissure

An anal fissure is a small rip or cut in the fragile lining of the anus (mucosa) from factors like a strainful bowel movement or chronic diarrhea.

Anemia/Iron Deficiency

Anemia occurs when there are not enough healthy red blood cells in your blood, which prevents the body from receiving adequate oxygen.

Barrett's Esophagus

As a result of untreated GERD, Barrett's esophagus occurs when the lining of your esophagus alters to become more like the lining of your intestines.

Biliary Obstruction

A bile duct obstruction develops when a hard deposit blocks the bile duct, preventing bile from being released to assist with the digestion of food.

C. Difficile Colitis

C. difficile colitis develops when harmful bacteria invade the body, causing the large intestine to swell, and symptoms like diarrhea and fever occur.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that triggers an immune response in the digestive system when an individual consumes gluten.

Colitis

There are several forms of colitis, all of which cause swelling in the inner lining of the large intestine; symptoms include diarrhea and fatigue.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the colon; it can affect both men and women and is the second-leading cancer detected in adults.

Colorectal Polyps

Colorectal polys are a group of cells that develop in the lining of the colon and rectum; when found, they are typically excised for a biopsy.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract accompanied by uncomfortable GI symptoms.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

Cyclic vomiting syndrome is characterized by recurrent vomiting or cycles of vomiting that often affect children but can manifest at any age.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis can develop following diverticulosis when the diverticula rip and become susceptible to inflammation, infection, or both.

Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis occurs when pouches in the colon, called diverticula, protrude outside of the colon and is considered a diverticular disease.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia describes an individual who struggles to swallow food or liquids due to spasms in the throat or mouth or other internal complications.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

EoE is characterized by inflammation in the esophagus, often caused by a build-up of white blood cells from a food allergy or acid reflux.

Esophageal Motility Disorder

Esophageal motility disorder occurs when the muscles in the esophagus fail to contract, making it difficult to move liquids and foods to the stomach.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is described as the general inflammation of the esophagus, often brought on by underlying conditions like acid reflux, EoE, or infections.

Fatty Liver Disease

FLD develops when fat forms in liver cells, resulting in inflammation that, if left untreated, can develop into scarring and permanent damage.

Fistula

A fistula is an unnatural connection between two hollow organs due to disease, injury, or inflammation, or it was created for a medical reason.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance is characterized by uncomfortable digestive symptoms brought on by a certain food; unlike food allergies, no immune response occurs.

Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease describes a group of problems and conditions, like gallstones and cholecystitis, that negatively impact the gallbladder.

Gastritis

Gastritis occurs when the covering of the stomach develops inflammation, irritation, or erosion, causing symptoms like gas and heartburn.

GERD

GERD describes the effect recurring acid reflux has on the body; symptoms include chest pain, dysphagia, and persistent cough.

Helicobacter Pylori

H. pylori is a bacteria contracted by unclean water or food that attacks the digestive tract; if left untreated, severe GI conditions can develop.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that can occur internally (within the rectum) or externally (on the anus) and are common among adults.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is characterized by inflammation or swelling of the liver; the most common forms are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia develops when the top portion of your stomach is thrust into your chest cavity, causing symptoms like vomiting blood and heartburn.

Ileitis

Ileitis is the irritation or inflammation of the ileum that can cause GI symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach cramps or aching.

Impacted Bowel

An impacted bowel is when a stool moves too slowly or becomes hardened in the small or large intestine, and prevents you from passing a bowel or gas.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBD is a general term used to describe swelling in your intestines; Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common forms of IBD.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS is characterized by a group of symptoms that occur in the GI tract, often brought on by anxiety, specific foods, or different life considerations.

Jaundice (Adult)

Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high bilirubin levels from an underlying cause, like cancer and bladder inflammation.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is the intolerance of milk sugar due to the body not producing enough lactase, the enzyme needed to adequately break down lactose.

Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis develops when the liver becomes inflamed and scarred from issues like late-stage liver disease, obesity, and alcoholism.

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

NASH is the inflammation and buildup of fat in the liver and, if left untreated, can impact liver function and cause additional health concerns.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis describes the swelling and inflammation of the pancreas that impacts its function due to digestive enzymes generating too soon.

Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers form in the small intestine or stomach, causing painful symptoms like nausea, bloating, and a burning sensation in the abdomen.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis is a rare liver disease that impacts the bile ducts in your liver; PBC can even be fatal without a liver transplant.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

PSC is a liver condition that affects the bile ducts inside and outside the liver, causing them to become scarred, irritated, and constricted.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a form of IBD that causes swelling and ulcerations in the GI tract, often resulting in painful gastrointestinal symptoms.

GI Procedures

Anorectal Manometry

Anorectal manometry is typically done to assess the reflexes and strength of the sphincter muscles necessary for regular bowel movements.

Argon Laser Therapy

Argon laser therapy utilizes a precise laser to treat a variety of gastrointestinal conditions like dysphagia, hemorrhages, mucosal legions, and more.

Capsule Endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy is a small pill equipped with a camera, that is ingested to capture thousands of images of the small bowel to create a "movie."

Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer screening is a preventive treatment used to screen the inner wall of the rectum and colon for polyps when no GI symptoms are present.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a type of endoscopic procedure where a scope is entered through the anus in order to assess the entire large intestine.

EGD

An EGD utilizes a scope to evaluate the small intestine to diagnose GI symptoms like complications with swallowing, acid reflux, and abdominal pain.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

EMR is performed with an advanced technique that allows GI specialists to remove tumors under the gastrointestinal lining without invasive surgery.

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) utilizes a scope entered through the mouth to evaluate and diagnose irregularities found in the gastrointestinal tract.

Enteroscopy

An enteroscopy is a procedure that eases a scope through the esophagus and down to the jejunum to diagnose symptoms like abdominal bleeding and pain.

ERCP

ERCP is an endoscopic procedure often recommended to identify the cause of GI concerns like pancreatitis and abnormal x-rays and liver tests.

Esophageal Dilation

To widen a tightened or obstructed part of your esophagus, a provider may recommend esophageal dilation to treat the stricture of the esophagus.

Esophageal Manometry

An esophageal manometry is performed to assess the strength of the muscles in the esophagus to diagnose symptoms like difficulty swallowing.

Feeding Tube Insertion (PEG)

Feeding tube insertion allows nutrition, fluid, and medication to flow directly into the stomach when consuming them orally is not an option.

FibroScan®

A FibroScan utilizes ultrasound technology to provide a comprehensive assessment of the whole liver to check for signs of fibrosis and steatosis.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a test that utilizes a scope entered through the rectum to assess the lower portion of the colon to diagnose GI concerns.

Hemorrhoid Banding

Hemorrhoid banding is performed to restrict blood flow to a hemorrhoid to eliminate the hemorrhoid and alleviate painful GI-associated symptoms.

Infusion Therapy (IV Infusion)

Infusion allows GI providers to administer several types of medications directly into the bloodstream through an IV to treat some GI conditions.

Sphincterotomy

A sphincterotomy is a treatment for anal fissures that is usually recommended when a fissure is not responding to treatment or cannot heal on its own.