Everyone has digestive problems from time to time—an upset stomach, gas, heartburn, constipation or diarrhea. Many problems may be uncomfortable or embarrassing, but they are not serious and don’t last long. Others can be controlled with simple changes in your diet. But sometimes even common symptoms can be signs of a more serious problem.
We provide a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services. From inflammatory bowel and Crohn’s to ulcerative colitis, frequent heartburn, and more, we have the experience and skill to diagnose and treat your condition so you can live life to the fullest.
Colon cancer screening can save your life
Colon cancer is silent and often has no symptoms. The most effective way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers is to get screened, and a colonoscopy is still considered the gold standard. Our gastroenterologists use state-of-the-art technology and are experts in both performing the procedure and interpreting the results.
If you’re 45 years or older, you should be screened. If your family has a history of colorectal cancer, you should consider screening earlier. Talk with your doctor to discuss your personal risk.
CRC screening options:
|
How does it work? |
Uses a scope to look for and remove abnormal growths in the colon/rectum |
|
Who is it for? |
Adults at high or average risk |
|
How often? |
Every 10 years |
|
Noninvasive? |
No |
|
Prep required? |
Yes, full bowel prep including fasting and laxatives |
|
Time it takes? |
1-2 days for bowel prep and procedure |
|
Covered? |
Covered by most insurers |
|
After a positive result? |
Polyps removed and examined |
All positive results on non-colonoscopy screening tests should be followed up with a timely colonoscopy.
FIT does not require changes to diet or medication. FOBT may require changes to diet or medication.
Insurance coverage may vary. Ask your insurance provider if your policy covers colorectal cancer screening.
For adults at high risk, testing may be more frequent and should be discussed with your primary care doctor.
|
How does it work? |
Finds abnormal DNA and blood in the stool sample |
|
Who is it for? |
Adults 45+ at average risk |
|
How often? |
Every 3 years |
|
Noninvasive? |
Yes, used at home |
|
Prep required? |
No |
|
Time it takes? |
The time it takes to collect a sample |
|
Covered? |
Covered by most insurers |
|
After a positive result? |
Follow-up colonoscopy |
All positive results on non-colonoscopy screening tests should be followed up with a timely colonoscopy.
FIT does not require changes to diet or medication. FOBT may require changes to diet or medication.
Insurance coverage may vary. Ask your insurance provider if your policy covers colorectal cancer screening.
For adults at high risk, testing may be more frequent and should be discussed with your primary care doctor.
|
How does it work? |
Detects blood in the stool sample |
|
Who is it for? |
Adults at average risk |
|
How often? |
Once a year |
|
Noninvasive? |
Yes, used at home |
|
Prep required? |
No/Yes |
|
Time it takes? |
The time it takes to collect a sample |
|
Covered? |
Covered by most insurers |
|
After a positive result? |
Follow-up colonoscopy |
All positive results on non-colonoscopy screening tests should be followed up with a timely colonoscopy.
FIT does not require changes to diet or medication. FOBT may require changes to diet or medication.
Insurance coverage may vary. Ask your insurance provider if your policy covers colorectal cancer screening.
For adults at high risk, testing may be more frequent and should be discussed with your primary care doctor.
Reviewed 4/26/2023
Colonoscopy prep quiz
A colonoscopy can help detect colorectal cancer early, when it is highly treatable, or prevent cancer from even starting by removing precancerous polyps. Before the test, you'll need to take steps to cleanse your colon. This may sound unpleasant, but learning the facts may help put your mind at ease. Take this quiz to better understand why prep is important and how to do it.
Start the quiz
Q: If you don't do bowel prep correctly and completely, your colonoscopy may not be as accurate.
A: TRUE. Your colon must be completely clean when your doctor examines it. If your colon is not cleansed, your doctor may have difficulty seeing any cancers or precancerous polyps during the colonoscopy. This is why it's very important to perform the bowel prep exactly as your doctor says.
If your colon isn't properly cleansed, your doctor may advise you to have a repeat colonoscopy sooner than expected.
Q: Chilling the bowel prep solution makes it easier to take.
A: TRUE. Bowel preparation often involves drinking a liquid that will help empty your colon. The solution might go down easier if you refrigerate it first or drink it through a straw. Another tip for making the solution easier to drink is to try sucking on lemon slices or sugar-free menthol candies in between sips. If you get an upset stomach or have trouble taking the solution for any reason, call your doctor's office for more tips.
Q: You must drink the bowel prep solution all at once.
A: FALSE. You usually have several hours to drink the solution. In fact, your doctor might have you drink part of the solution the evening before your colonoscopy and the rest the morning of your procedure. This approach, called split-dosing, may give the best colonoscopy results. You may have to get up very early to drink the second dose. Your doctor will give you specific instructions for how and when to take your bowel prep.
Q: You'll need to avoid solid foods at least one day before your colonoscopy.
A: TRUE. While you will need to avoid solid foods, you can have gelatin (Jell-O is one brand name) and frozen sherbet desserts that aren't red.
Q: You should drink fewer fluids during your bowel prep.
A: FALSE. You actually need to drink more fluids than usual during bowel prep. This will help you clean out the colon and avoid side effects, like nausea. Liquids that you can drink before a colonoscopy include water, chicken or vegetable broth, and apple or white grape juice. Avoid red and purple liquids. It's also OK to drink coffee or tea without milk.
You will need to stop drinking all fluids at some point before your colonoscopy—usually a few hours before your exam. Your doctor's instructions should tell you when to do that.
Learn more about colorectal cancer—including some things that can raise your risk—by taking our colorectal cancer quiz.
Sources: American Cancer Society; American College of Gastroenterology; American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; UpToDate
Pediatric gastroenterology services
Digestive health is essential to a child’s growth and development. Children can face a wide range of problems with digestive organs, such as the stomach, liver and intestines. Parents can be confused and troubled when a simple tummy ache seems to be a symptom of a larger problem.
A pediatric gastroenterology specialist attends to the specific needs of a child’s delicate digestive system and may also treat digestive disorders that result from other conditions, such as cystic fibrosis.
Make a gastroenterology appointment
To make an appointment, find a gastroenterologist or pediatric gastroenterologist, call 888.396.3729.