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In most cases, your stomach doctor can feel an abdominal mass associated with a tumor during your physical exam. The mass may also be accompanied by pain, an enlarged stomach or unexplained weight loss.
Treatment for stomach ulcers is often based on their cause. Your GI specialists may recommend lifestyle changes, like avoiding alcohol and aspirin and quitting smoking. Medications that block acid and protect the lining of the stomach can be effective too. Surgery is also an option if stomach ulcers do not respond to other treatments.
GI specialists often diagnose viral gastroenteritis (the stomach flu) based on symptoms and a quick physical exam.
A medical doctor who specializes in stomach and digestive conditions is called a gastroenterologist. They may also be referred to as GI doctors or GI specialists.
A stomach doctor, or gastroenterologist, is specially trained to diagnose and treat digestive conditions, such as the following: constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, Crohn’s disease, hepatitis and more. GI doctors also provide potentially life-saving screenings for diseases like colon cancer.
Depending on your condition/symptoms, your GI specialist may recommend one of the following tests:
• Endoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Barium swallow
• Blood test
• Stool test or stool culture
• X-ray or CT scan
Check with your insurance company to find out more about coverage. Here at Charleston GI, we accept Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances. For a list of in-network insurance companies, click here.
Yes! You do not need a referral to schedule an appointment at Charleston GI with our stomach doctors.
Your gastroenterologist will ask questions about your symptoms, such as:
• Where is the pain?
• Does the pain move around or change?
• When did your symptoms start?
• How long do symptoms usually last?
• Have you noticed any triggers?
• Do you have a family history of GI issues?
• Have you had any serious illnesses or surgeries
During your first visit, your gastroenterologist will ask about your symptoms – their severity, triggers, persistence, etc. This information, as well as the findings of your physical exam, will be used to help your gastroenterologist reach an accurate diagnosis.
If you are experiencing any unpleasant GI symptoms, don’t suffer in silence! Schedule an appointment with one of our gastroenterologists today. Great care – and symptom relief – is just around the corner.
While you do not need a referral to schedule an appointment at Charleston GI, many patients trust their general physician/primary care doctor to recommend the right specialist. You can also do some research of your own, considering doctors’ experience, education, special credentials, etc.
Gastrology is the study of the stomach and the conditions that affect it. The proper term for the doctor who specializes in digestive disorders, however, is gastroenterologist.
During your upper endoscopy, you will be placed on your side and your gastroenterologist will pass an endoscope through your mouth. The endoscope will travel through your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, without disrupting your breathing. Innovative technology even allows your GI specialist to insert instruments into the scope to collect a tissue sample if a polyp or abnormality is detected.
The capsule endoscopy procedure, in contrast, utilizes a pill-sized capsule camera. Once swallowed, the tiny camera travels through your digestive tract, transmitting images along the way. This gives your GI specialist a unique view that can be utilized to detect and diagnose any concerns.
An upper endoscopy is used to diagnose the digestive tract in a nonsurgical procedure (also called upper endoscopy, EGD, asendoscopy, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy). A colonoscopy is a specific type of endoscopy used to assess the lower part of the digestive tract, including the rectum and large intestine or colon. Your gastroenterologist can help answer any other questions you may have about the difference between the two.
If you are taking medications for heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety or seizure disorders, you will typically be advised to take these the day of your procedure unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Once your procedure is completed, you will receive additional instructions at discharge involving medications and diet. Our gastroenterologist are happy to answer any questions you may have about post-procedure care!
Yes. Although our Patient Accounting Department will contact your insurance company for precertification requirements and coverage information, we do recommend that you verify your coverage to ensure that your insurance company has your current information on file.
Please allow 24 to 48 hours for prescription refills.
Yes. Coffee and tea with sugar, but no creamer or anything to cloud them, are considered clear liquids. Water, soda, non-pulpy juice, jello, clear soup (broth, consommé, etc) and popsicles are also clear liquids. Milk or cream are NOT.
Yes. Due to the type of anesthesia or sedation that is given during your procedure, our endoscopy centers require that you bring a responsible adult to stay during your procedure and drive you home afterwards. Please note: Regulatory agencies require our facilities to discharge all patients with a responsible adult driver. If you do not have a responsible adult driver with you, your procedure will be canceled.
Colonoscopies performed at our Center are always done in a private room with no other patients around. Our GI doctors and nurses are professional and remain dedicated to respecting our patients’ privacy.
Yes. Because the procedure will be done with anesthesia or sedation, you will not be fit to return to work until the following day.
No, a colonoscopy is not painful at all. Patients are sedated with anesthesia, so they won’t feel a thing!
Most colonoscopies take 30 minutes to an hour. You will be asked to arrive 1 hour prior to your procedure, so your total time will be around 1.5 to 2 hours.
“Screening” is a term used to describe a test for the early diagnosis of common cancers, ordered before symptoms develop. For patients with no family history of colon cancer, the American Cancer Society’s current recommendation is to have your first colonoscopy at age 45. However, insurance coverage may not be available until age 50. Be sure to check with your insurance company in advance.
A colonoscopy lets your doctor see the lining of your large intestine (rectum and colon). Using a thin flexible tube (endoscope), your doctor can look inside your colon for problems such as swelling, tumors or growths (polyps). If your GI doctor thinks an area of the lining needs to be looked at more closely, he will take a small piece of tissue (biopsy) and send it to the lab to be examined. If the doctor finds polyps on the lining of the colon, they may be removed. Polyps vary in size from a tiny dot to several inches. Most polyps are non-cancerous but the doctor cannot tell a non-cancerous polyp from a cancerous one by its appearance. For this reason, if the doctor removes a polyp, it is sent to the lab for further tests. Removal of polyps is important in preventing colon cancer.
Anyone can develop a hemorrhoid. In fact, about three out of four people will experience hemorrhoids in their lifetime – but only 4% will require a visit to the doctor. Hemorrhoids most frequently affect men and women between the ages of 45 and 65.
Increased pressure on the veins of the anus and rectum may cause thrombosed hemorrhoids. Types of pressure include:
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum. A thrombosed hernia occurs when a blood clot forms within the hemorrhoid. While not dangerous, thrombosed hernias are often painful.
Hemorrhoid pillows (donut pillows) may provide temporary relief for minor hemorrhoids, but they may actually make hemorrhoids worse. Prolonged sitting is not recommended, especially if you are suffering from prolapsed or inflamed hemorrhoids.
No, trying to pop a hemorrhoid yourself can worsen your condition or result in infection. Consult your GI specialist to learn more about at-home remedies.
Low-fiber foods may cause constipation and increase your risk for hemorrhoids. Avoid the following:
You may experience relief if a hemorrhoid bursts on its own. It is normal for some bleeding to occur. Be sure to clean the area to prevent infection and promote healing.
Hemorrhoids can cause rectal bleeding, a symptom that can also be associated with certain kinds of cancer. If you experience rectal bleeding, schedule an appointment with your GI specialist to rule out a more serious condition.
With home remedies, most hemorrhoids shrink within a week or so. If your hemorrhoids persist or worsen, contact your GI specialist to prevent any complications.
Small, minor hemorrhoids may go away on their own or require nothing more than at-home remedies. More severe hemorrhoids, though, may require medical treatment.
Hemorrhoids are not typically permanent, but they may persist or occur often. Your GI specialist can help provide much-needed relief.
Your Charleston GI specialist may suggest hemorrhoid banding for patients with large hemorrhoids that are not responding to non-surgical treatment. Lifestyle and diet changes are often suggested first, but if they are ineffective, banding is an effective solution.
Arrange for someone to drive you home from your hemorrhoid banding procedure. If you experience pain in the following days, or are taking medication, it is best to avoid getting behind the wheel.
After your hemorrhoid banding procedure, your GI doctor may suggest that you stick to clear liquids for the first day – such as broth, juice and clear soda. In the days that follow, add fiber-rich foods. Avoid foods that commonly cause constipation, like processed foods, dairy and red meat.
A high-fiber diet and proper hydration can help soften stool and encourage regular bowel movements. Try to incorporate foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains – and drink at least 8 cups of water a day.
As long as your job does not involve heavy lifting, most patients can return to work after the procedure. If you experience any pain or discomfort, try a pain reliever like acetaminophen.
Yes, a small amount of blood is normal, but significant bleeding should be reported to your GI specialist immediately. Keep in mind that bleeding may increase with bowel movements, or in the first 48 to 72 hours following your surgical hemorrhoid removal. Also, passing blood clots should be reported to your doctor.
A sitz bath may be prescribed as an at-home remedy to relieve pain. A sitz bath uses a special basin, similar to a bedpan, that fits over your toilet, allowing you to soak the rectal area in a few inches of warm water.
Hemorrhoid banding is a non-surgical procedure that results in relatively little pain. It is a permanent solution and is typically tried first as an alternative to surgery.
Surgical hemorrhoid removal is only recommended for more extreme cases. Patients will experience some pain and discomfort, often requiring a longer recovery period than those undergoing hemorrhoid banding.
Hemorrhoid banding is an effective way to remove hemorrhoids, and the procedure is much less invasive than surgery. In fact, very few patients require hemorrhoidectomies, the surgical removal of a hemorrhoid. This procedure is not only more painful, but requires a longer recovery time.
While activities like walking, swimming and yoga can help improve circulation and stimulate regular bowel movements, other exercises may worsen hemorrhoid symptoms. Weightlifting, strength training work-outs and other exercises that require you to push while exhaling are not recommended.
These home remedies may provide relief:
Prolapsed hemorrhoids may stretch down until they are visibly bulging outside of the anus. If it does not go back inside on its own, you may be able to gently push it back inside. It is best to check with your GI specialist first.
Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the rectum and cannot typically be seen or felt. External hemorrhoids, however, occur under the skin surrounding the anus and often cause pain and discomfort.
To help avoid straining and prevent additional pain, we recommend the following: stool softeners, hemorrhoid wipes and over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams. Consult your GI specialist if hemorrhoids persist, or to learn more tips for defecating with a hemorrhoid.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins and blood vessels in the anus and lower rectum. Classified as internal or external, hemorrhoids have numerous causes, including constipation, straining, pregnancy, etc. When untreated, hemorrhoids can be very painful.
Please allow 24 to 48 hours for prescription refills.
Some insurance companies pay for your endoscopy, but every insurance plan carries different benefits depending on the employer. We will not be able to tell you if your particular plan covers this benefit until we obtain your insurance information. We suggest you contact your specific insurance carrier before scheduling your procedure. Our billing office is also available at 843-793-5182 to answer questions.
Yes. In most cases, your GI specialist will recommend taking your regular medications if needed. If you have a medical condition like diabetes and are taking medication for it, please inform your gastroenterologist. We will review the medication and then provide further instructions.
Not at all. Before the procedure, your GI specialist will administer anesthesia for your comfort with either a sedative or a numbing solution. You will feel little to nothing during the upper endoscopy procedure. If you experience any discomfort, you will be conscious enough to inform your Charleston GI gastroenterologist.
Yes. Your Charleston GI specialist will administer an IV sedative to help you relax or will provide a numbing solution/spray to soothe your throat during the upper endoscopy procedure.
Yes, but be sure to avoid swallowing anything 6 to 8 hours before your procedure.
You can eat your normal meals after your upper endoscopy. Your Charleston GI specialist will highly recommend going slow and eating lighter than your normal meal size.
The day before your upper endoscopy, you can eat and drink normally. However, you should have nothing to eat or drink for 6 to 8 hours before the start of the procedure. Your gastroenterologist can provide more details if needed.
Yes. However, your gastroenterologist will instruct you to stop eating or drinking up to 8 hours before the endoscopy procedure.
No, you cannot drive for 24 hours after the endoscopy procedure. You will need to arrange for a ride to take you home while the sedatives wear off.
Yes, some GI specialists may refer to the procedure as EGD, asendoscopy, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
An upper endoscopy is used to diagnose the digestive tract in a nonsurgical procedure (also called upper endoscopy, EGD, asendoscopy, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy). A colonoscopy is a specific type of endoscopy used to assess the lower part of the digestive tract, including the rectum and large intestine or colon. Your gastroenterologist can help answer any other questions you may have about the difference between the two.
During your upper endoscopy, you will be placed on your side and your gastroenterologist will pass an endoscope through your mouth. The endoscope will travel through your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, without disrupting your breathing. Innovative technology even allows your GI doctor to insert instruments into the scope to collect a tissue sample if a polyp or abnormality is detected.
The capsule endoscopy procedure, in contrast, utilizes a pill-sized capsule camera. Once swallowed, the tiny camera travels through your digestive tract, transmitting images along the way. This gives your GI specialist a unique view that can be utilized to detect and diagnose any concerns.
Here at Charleston GI, our gastroenterologists utilize upper GI endoscopies to discover the following diseases:
Your GI specialist may use an endoscopy to gather tissue samples to help diagnose a variety of diseases and conditions – including bleeding, anemia, diarrhea, inflammation or cancers within the digestive system.
Please allow 24 to 48 hours for prescription refills.
If you feel that you would be a good candidate for this program, you may contact our office at 843-722-8000. Please leave your name, telephone number and a convenient time for our Open Access Representative to contact you.
Open Access Colonoscopy is a program designed to allow well patients without gastrointestinal symptoms to have a colonoscopy without the inconvenience of a preliminary office visit.
Charleston Gastroenterology Specialists and our endoscopy centers function as two separate entities – and therefore, bill separately. Just think of Charleston Gastroenterology as the professional part and Charleston Endoscopy as the facility part. When you have a procedure, you will get a bill for the professional fee as well as a bill for the facility fee. If you have any further questions, please contact our Patient Accounting Department at 843-722-8000.
Yes. Although our Patient Accounting Department will contact your insurance company for precertification requirements and coverage information, we do recommend that you verify your coverage to ensure that your insurance company has your current information on file.
Some insurance companies pay for screening colonoscopies, but every insurance plan carries different benefits depending on the employer. We will not be able to tell you if your particular plan covers this benefit until we obtain your insurance information. We suggest you contact your specific insurance carrier before scheduling your procedure. Our billing office is also available at 843-793-5182 to answer questions.
Yes, in most cases you can resume normal activities the following day.
If a polyp is found, your physician will most likely remove it because it could eventually become cancerous. If your physician sees a tumor, or anything else abnormal, a biopsy is often performed. For the biopsy, a special instrument is used to take out a small piece of tissue through the endoscope. It is then sent to a lab to be checked for cancerous or precancerous cells and/or other abnormalities.
One of our board certified Charleston GI doctors.
If you are taking medications for heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety or seizure disorders, you will typically be advised to take these the day of your procedure unless otherwise instructed by your physician. If you are taking blood thinners or medication for diabetes, make sure your physician is aware for further medication instruction. Once your procedure is completed, you will receive instructions for resuming medications and diet at discharge.
Currently, our physicians perform procedures at our endoscopy centers, conveniently located to minimize hassle.
Procedures are also performed at the Roper Hospital facility.
Yes. Due to the type of anesthesia or sedation that is given during your procedure, our endoscopy centers require that you bring a responsible adult to stay during your procedure and drive you home afterwards. Please note: Regulatory agencies require our facilities to discharge all patients with a responsible adult driver. If you do not have a responsible adult driver with you, your procedure will be canceled.
Yes. Coffee and tea with sugar, but no creamer or anything to cloud them, are considered clear liquids. Water, soda, non-pulpy juice, jello, clear soup (broth, consommé, etc) and popsicles are also clear liquids. Milk or cream are NOT.
Colonoscopies performed at our GI center are always done in a private room with no other patients around. Our physicians and nurses are professional and remain dedicated to respecting our patients’ privacy.
Yes. Because the procedure will be done with anesthesia or sedation, you will not be fit to return to work until the following day.
Most colonoscopies take 30 minutes to an hour. You will be asked to arrive 1 hour prior to your procedure, so your total time will be around 1.5 to 2 hours.
While relatively uncommon, some patients may feel the urge to vomit. If you do, stop drinking the solution for one hour, then resume according to the normal dosing directions. If vomiting continues for several hours, contact your Charleston GI specialist.
A colonoscopy with three-quadrant hemorrhoidal ligation is considered an effective method of treating symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. Plus, it eliminates the need for a separate procedure.
You will likely feel groggy on the way home as the sedation leaves your system. That is why you will need someone to drive you home. But you should feel normal by the next day.
Patients typically feel bloated or gassy for a few hours after their colonoscopy, due to the air leaving the colon. Walking can help provide some relief if you feel uncomfortable. You may also notice a small amount of blood the first time you have a bowel movement – but this is completely normal!
Yes, you can eat normally after your procedure. However, our gastroenterologists recommend eating light meals if you feel bloated or are having difficulty passing gas within the first 24 hours post-procedure. Be sure to avoid alcohol during this time.
When your bowel movement looks like the fluid you are drinking (light, yellow, liquid with minimal particles), you are all set!
If this occurs, your GI specialist will simply reschedule your colorectal cancer screening. You may be prescribed a different preparation for next time. When you call to reschedule, your Charleston GI doctor will give you further follow-up instructions.
No. Bowel movements usually stop about 2 or 3 hours after finishing the colon prep solution. Plus, the scope’s suction feature is used to remove any liquid left in the bowel.
While the exact amount of time varies from patient to patient, a good bowel flush can take up to 16 hours – typically starting the afternoon/evening before your procedure. Be sure to follow your GI doctor’s bowel prep instructions.
The following symptoms indicate that it may be time to consult your GI specialist and schedule a colonoscopy:
If any of the above symptoms worsen or persist for several weeks, contact Charleston GI.
Patients are sedated with anesthesia during colon cancer screenings, so you will not feel a thing! Your GI doctor will perform the procedure at one of our endoscopy centers, specially designed to put patients at ease.
“Screening” is a term used to describe a test for the early diagnosis of common cancers, ordered before symptoms develop. For patients with no family history of colon cancer, the American Cancer Society’s current recommendation is to have your first colonoscopy at age 45. However, insurance coverage may not be available until age 50. Be sure to check with your insurance company in advance.
A colonoscopy lets your doctor see the lining of your large intestine (rectum and colon). Using a thin flexible tube (endoscope), your doctor can look inside your colon for problems such as swelling, tumors or growths (polyps). If your doctor thinks an area of the lining needs to be looked at more closely, he will take a small piece of tissue (biopsy) and send it to the lab to be examined. If the doctor finds polyps on the lining of the colon, they may be removed. Polyps vary in size from a tiny dot to several inches. Most polyps are non-cancerous but the doctor cannot tell a non-cancerous polyp from a cancerous one by its appearance. For this reason, if the doctor removes a polyp, it is sent to the lab for further tests. Removal of polyps is important in preventing colon cancer.
Every insurance plan carries different benefits depending on the employer. We are not able to inform you if your particular plan covers this benefit until we obtain your insurance information. We recommend you contact your specific insurance carrier prior to scheduling your procedure. Our billing office is also available at 843-793-5182 to answer your questions.
Please allow 24 to 48 hours for prescription refills.
During your upper endoscopy, you will be placed on your side and your gastroenterologist will pass an endoscope through your mouth. The endoscope will travel through your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, without disrupting your breathing. Innovative technology even allows your GI specialist to insert instruments into the scope to collect a tissue sample if a polyp or abnormality is detected.
The capsule endoscopy procedure, in contrast, utilizes a pill-sized capsule camera. Once swallowed, the tiny camera travels through your digestive tract, transmitting images along the way. This gives your GI doctor a unique view that can be utilized to detect and diagnose any concerns.
The capsule is very gentle, and any kind of discomfort is rare. However, if you experience unpleasant symptoms after your capsule endoscopy, simply contact your Charleston GI doctor for a resolution.
The medical term for this is called capsule retention. It is very rare and happens to about 1 out of every 1,000 patients. Normally, the capsule will pass within two weeks. If you happen to suffer from bowel obstruction, speak with your gastroenterologist for further intervention.
You should pass the capsule naturally after 8 to 72 hours. It sometimes can take up to two weeks. If the capsule has not passed within 2 weeks, an X-ray may be needed to see if it is still present or if a bowel obstruction has occurred. If you experience discomfort, contact a Charleston GI doctor.
Within 2 hours of your procedure, you can drink clear liquids. After 4 hours, you can eat a light meal. Our gastroenterologists recommend avoiding rigorous physical activity like running, jumping or exercise until the capsule passes. Speak with your Charleston GI doctor for more information.
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