Yes, our gastroenterologist in Thousand Oaks is also certified in practicing hepatology. If you are in need of an expert hepatologist, contact us today for treatment.
Capsule endoscopy is a procedure that involves swallowing a small capsule the size of a large vitamin pill, and inside the pill, there is a tiny camera that takes pictures of the small intestine as it passes through. This allows your doctor to view and examine the images, providing useful information regarding your small intestine.
Your doctor can determine if you’re lactose intolerant based on a breath test, which detects levels of hydrogen. If elevated levels of hydrogen are found, then it is indicative of an improper digestion of lactose, resulting in a lactose intolerance.
Heartburn can be treated in a number of ways, including medications, such as antacids and acid blockers, changes in diet or lifestyle, or surgery (in severe cases).
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as acid reflux, is a disease that develops when the valve between the esophagus and the stomach called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), breaks down due to weakness or damage, resulting in stomach acid to move backward into the esophagus from the stomach.
If you have difficulty swallowing foods or liquids, then it is important to seek medical help from a gastroenterologist in Thousand Oaks as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to provide you with treatments such as esophagus dilation, medications, and diet modifications.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the name of a group of conditions that causes inflammation in all or part of the digestive tract. Two of the most common types of inflammatory bowel diseases include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. If left untreated, these conditions can result in serious complications.
Yes, you should see a doctor for rectal bleeding if you have been experiencing constipation, hemorrhoids, or rectal bleeding. If you are experiencing other symptoms in addition to rectal bleeding such as nausea, fainting, shortness of breath, dizziness, or clammy, yellow skin, then you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
No, hemorrhoids are not life threatening; however, they can be painful, itchy, swollen, and uncomfortable. If you suffer from hemorrhoids, contact us for medical treatment.
Symptoms of fecal incontinence include few or frequent accidents, inability to hold gas, “silent” leakage of stool during normal activities or exertion, and the inability to reach the toilet in time.
The symptoms of Crohn’s Disease can range from mild to severe and the severity is usually dependent on where the inflammation is. There are periods in which people do not feel any symptoms. The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include diarrhea, blood in the stool, abdominal pain/cramping, sudden weight loss, reduced appetite, mouth sores, fevers, fatigue, and perianal disease.
Usually, constipation goes away on its own after a few days. However, if you experience the following symptoms for at least two weeks, then you may have chronic constipation and should consult with a gastroenterologist - Less than three bowel movements a week, Difficulty passing stools, Dry, hard stools, Small stools, A feeling of incomplete passing
Colonoscopies are usually performed under sedation, which is administered by an anesthesiologist. Therefore, patients typically don’t remember the examination, as they are usually sleeping throughout the procedure due to sedation. However, sedation isn’t always necessary. If you choose not to be sedated, the procedure can be moderately uncomfortable, resulting in bloating, pressure, and cramping.
You can check for colon cancer by scheduling a colon cancer screening with a gastroenterologist in Thousand Oaks. Colon cancer screenings are extremely important, as they screen patients for colon cancer and polyps that can potentially lead to colon cancer.
Men and women 40 years of age or older should be screened for colon cancer, at least every couple years (depending on the findings in previous colon cancer screenings). However, if you have a family history or colon cancer or adenomatous polyps, consult with a doctor about receiving a screening before age 40.
A gastroenterologist specializes in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. If you have any symptoms of a digestive health disorder or need colon cancer screening, then you should see a gastroenterologist.
We suggest seeing a gastroenterologist every couple years, especially for colon screenings, as these routine checkups save lives. While most doctors suggest colon cancer screening after 40, you can even start before then to ensure there are no signs of colon cancer or polyps.