Digestive Health

What is digestive health?

Digestive health refers to the well-being of your gastrointestinal system, which includes all the organs that support digestion and absorption of the food you eat. The organs that make up your gastrointestinal system include:

• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Small intestine
• Large intestine
• Liver
• Gallbladder
• Pancreas

Digestive health influences overall health. 

What conditions affect digestive health?

Many conditions affect digestive health. Some of the conditions Capitol GI treats include:

Liver disease

Liver disease includes any condition that affects the structure or function of the liver, such as hepatitis C and cirrhosis. 

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

IBD is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux occurs when the acidic contents of the stomach reflux up into the esophagus, causing burning in the chest or throat. If you have chronic acid reflux, you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Barrett’s esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus is common in people with GERD and occurs when there are abnormal cells lining the lower part of your esophagus. 

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. When people with celiac disease consume food or products that contain gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye), their immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the small intestine, causing inflammation and damage. 

Colon cancer

Capitol GI offers colon cancer screening and treatment.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is inflammation and infection of diverticula (bulging pouches) in the large intestine.

Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia is when you feel uncomfortably full during or after eating. 

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)

EoE occurs when there’s a buildup of eosinophils in the esophagus, causing irritation and scarring.

Gallstones

Gallstones are hard deposits of bile that form in the gallbladder and may cause severe abdominal pain.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum or anus. 

Peptic ulcer disease

Peptic ulcer disease causes painful sores in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). 

Constipation

Constipation occurs when you have a change in bowel habits that causes hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass.

When should I seek help for digestive health?

You should seek help for digestive health from the experts at Capitol GI if you have ongoing abdominal pain, vomiting, or a change in bowel habits. The gastroenterology practice uses advanced diagnostic tools to find and treat problems that affect digestive health, including:

• Colonoscopy
• Upper endoscopy
• Capsule endoscopy
• Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Capitol GI has been providing expert digestive health care in Northern California for more than 25 years. 

Call Capitol GI or schedule an appointment online today for help with your digestive health.