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The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the foundation of our health. At about 25 feet long, the adult GI tract includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum and more. It provides the gateway where food and nutrients are digested and absorbed, giving our bodies the energy it needs to function well.

Millions of people suffer from gastrointestinal conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic indigestion. And unfortunately, many suffer in silence. “These are sensitive topics that a lot of people won’t share with their doctor because of embarrassment,” says Robert Janda, MD, a gastroenterologist with Adventist Hinsdale and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospitals. “But I encourage people to speak up, because the earlier you come to us, the faster we can diagnose the problem and help you start feeling better.”

GI disorders: A painful problem
GI disorders can affect any portion of the digestive tract and often involve other connecting organs, such as the gallbladder and pancreas. The following are general symptoms that may indicate a GI problem:

• Persistent or unexplained abdominal pain
• Unintentional weight loss
• Trouble swallowing food
• Changes in bowel pattern, including blood in the stool
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Anemia

Everyone has experienced diarrhea or heartburn at some point in his or her life, but Dr. Janda says it becomes a problem if they persist or get worse over time. “Symptoms that don’t go away in a few days can indicate a more serious, underlying problem,” he says. “To find out what is causing your symptoms, talk to your doctor.”

Finding a diagnosis
Many times, there is a deeper reason why a patient experiences GI symptoms. Once physicians know what that is, they can cement a treatment plan. At Adventist Midwest Health, specialists use the latest technology to get at the root of the problem. Some of the procedures they use to diagnose GI concerns include:

Upper Endoscopy, which is a procedure that explores the upper GI tract – the esophagus, stomach and a portion of the small intestine – using a small, flexible camera. If a patient has certain symptoms, a surgeon can use endoscopy to look for ulcers, abnormal growths, inflammation and more.

Capsule Technology helps measure acid reflux in the esophagus and can diagnose conditions in the small intestine. Patients swallow a small camera (capsule) that takes pictures as it moves through the digestive tract.

Colonoscopy, which is a procedure used to look inside the rectum and colon for inflamed tissue, polyps and other abnormalities. Not only does this help doctors diagnose abnormal bowel patterns, abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss, it also screens for cancer. “We advise people to get a colonoscopy at age 50, even if they’re not having symptoms, and even sooner if there is a family history of colon cancer,” says Dr. Janda.

Most people never think about the inner complexities of their digestive system until there is an issue – and then it’s often something that becomes top of mind. “At Adventist Midwest Health, we look at your lifestyle from every angle to tackle these problems,” says Dr. Janda. “Getting patients back to good health – and a normal life – is our goal.”

For more information, or to find a physician, call us at 866-533-7968.