GI Doctor North Carolina

Carolina Digestive Health Associates is a group providing care for patients as GI doctors in North Carolina. We have fourteen qualified gastroenterologists who attend to patients in all major hospitals in the Charlotte metropolitan area. We have five endoscopy centers and eight office locations.

Patients with chronic health problems in their digestive tracts, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), can benefit from and may need the care of a GI doctor in North Carolina. Patients with acute digestive problems, like nausea and vomiting, may also require the intervention of a gastroenterologist.

How Is a GI Doctor Different From Other Doctors?

A gastroenterologist, or GI doctor, completes medical school like all other medical students. After three years of residency in internal medicine, he or she is then ready for specialized training in the field of gastroenterology. This fellowship lasts from two to three years. Together with the residency, this means GI doctors in North Carolina have received five to six years of training after medical school.

A fellowship in gastroenterology provides students with all the skills they will need to diagnose and treat ailments of the digestive tract in an office setting and in a hospital. A GI doctor will learn to observe and diagnose patients with complaints associated with the digestive tract. North Carolina doctors will learn to treat these ailments after making a diagnosis as well as learn how to teach patients healthier living to prevent further problems.

Gastroenterologists also receive training on how to perform endoscopies. An endoscopy is a procedure in which a GI doctor places a flexible, thin tube into the digestive tract from an outer orifice. The tube has a camera at the end, and which observes the inside of the digestive tract, whether the esophagus, the stomach or the colon. GI doctors in North Carolina learn to interpret what they see, as well as any biopsy results, and then treat any conditions they diagnose.

What Symptoms Mean I Should I See a GI Doctor?

Persistent or severe symptoms having to do with your digestive tract are a reason to see a GI doctor in North Carolina. Depending on your age regularly scheduled visits to screen for potential problems are another reason to visit. The symptoms which, if persistent enough or severe enough, mean you should see a GI doctor include:

• Constipation. Fewer than three bowel movements per week is a sign of constipation. The cause may be as simple as dehydration or lack of fiber, but it could be something more serious. If constipation persists, see a GI doctor.

• Diarrhea. Stomach cramps and loose stools are the opposite of constipation. Diarrhea is not uncommon, but if it persists it could be indicative of a more serious problem, like irritable bowel syndrome. You may need to see a GI doctor.

• Heartburn. A burning sensation in your stomach or chest could be due to something you ate, but it could also be a sign that your stomach acid has irritated the lining of your esophagus. If the heartburn is frequent or persists for a long time, you will need to see a GI doctor.

• Stomach pain. Sudden, severe stomach pain could be a sign of an ulcer. Less severe but persistent stomach pain can also be problematic. An ulcer can cause a burning feeling in your stomach.

• Bloating. If you experience bloating after you eat, it could be something in your diet that your body does not react well to. A GI doctor can determine the cause and make recommendations.

• Hemorrhoids. If the veins in your rectum have swollen and feel irritated, a GI doctor can treat the problem quickly and without difficulty.

• Blood in your stool. If your stool is black and tarry, or if you see bright red in the toilet after you void, you need to see a GI doctor soon. Blood in your stool can be the symptom of a more severe problem.

The GI Doctors at Carolina Digestive Health Associates

North Carolina residents who suffer from chronic digestive issues, or who experience sudden, acute problems, can find help with Carolina Digestive Health Associates for diagnosis and treatment. We also recommend regular screenings and colonoscopies for all residents of North Carolina. Call us during business hours at (704) 324-8776 to schedule a consultation with one of our highly trained GI doctors.

Carolina Digestive Health Associates

Carolina Digestive Health Associates is a group of gastroenterologists serving the residents of North Carolina. We have fourteen highly rated GI doctors who provide service at eight offices and five endoscopy centers. Our doctors work in all major hospitals in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Our physicians, together with our highly trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners, cover a wide range of specialties and are skilled in diagnosis and treatment. Whether you have chronic problems with your digestive tract, a recent, acute attack or simply want a checkup, our team is here in North Carolina to help you reach your healthcare goals.

What We Do

Our team of gastroenterologists in North Carolina is trained to diagnose gastric conditions involving the esophagus, the stomach, the liver, the colon and the rectum. Once we make a diagnosis, we can form a treatment plan tailored to the specific patient and their needs. Some of the common conditions we treat include:

• Constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Colorectal cancer
• Diarrhea
• Esophageal cancer
• Fatty liver
• Gallstone
• Gastritis
• GERD
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose intolerance
• Obesity
• Ulcers

Our team has experience diagnosing and treating these conditions and many more. North Carolina residents in the Charlotte area have come to trust our expertise and our friendly customer service.

Procedures

Our specialists cover a wide variety of fields within gastroenterology and can perform an array of procedures once they have made a diagnosis. Some of the more common procedures are:

• Rectal manometry. This test determines if the rectum is functioning properly and helps to diagnose fecal incontinence and chronic constipation.
• Breath test. A GI doctor can diagnose certain digestive conditions by measuring the gases which a patient exhales.
• Colonoscopy. By means of a camera inserted into the body, doctors can view the intestine and look for polyps, ulcers, bleeding, inflammation and even cancer.
• Polypectomy. If doctors discover polyps during an endoscopy, they will use this procedure to remove them.
• Upper endoscopy. Similar to a colonoscopy, this procedure views the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum for inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths.
• Esophageal manometry. This test is to determine the strength of the muscles that you use to swallow, which can affect conditions like heartburn.
• Feeding tubes. A GI doctor can insert a feeding tube when necessary if a patient is not able to feed him or herself.
• ORBERA Gastric Balloon. The FDA has approved our non-surgical program to help patients lose weight and form healthy habits to maintain a stable, healthy weight in the long term.

Research

At Carolina Digestive Health Associates in North Carolina, we participate in many clinical research trials. Medicine is a field that constantly advances, and we encourage and participate in this process to discover new and better ways to diagnose and treat digestive disorders. Sometimes, these trials provide treatment options to our patients in North Carolina that they would not be able to get anywhere else.

When Should You Come to See Us?

Persistent or severe symptoms are reasons to schedule a consultation with us in North Carolina. We also recommend regular screenings starting at age 45 for colon cancer. You may need to see a general practitioner first to get a referral. Come see us if you experience any of the following:

• Constipation. Fewer than three bowel movements a week means constipation. If it persists, contact us.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem, but if it doesn't go away it could be a sign of something more serious.
• Heartburn. A burning your stomach and chest could be your stomach acid inflaming the lining of your esophagus.
• Stomach pain. Severe stomach pain could mean you have a gallstone. More persistent, burning pain could be an ulcer.
• Bloating. If you bloat after a meal, your body might be reacting to something you ate. A gastroenterologist can diagnose the cause.
• Hemorrhoids. If the veins in your rectum are swollen or feel irritated, you may have hemorrhoids, which a GI doctor can treat.
• Blood in your stool. If your stool is black and tarry, or if there is red in the water after a bowel movement, you may have a severe problem that requires immediate attention.

For any of the above symptoms or a cancer screening in North Carolina, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates for a consultation. Call us at (704) 324-8776 and let one of our highly skilled gastroenterologists assist you.