Gastro Health - Frederick
70 Thomas Johnson Dr.
Suite 120
Frederick, MD 21702
Phone 301-624-5566

Click for map & directions

OUR SERVICES

Services Provided:

Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of:

Colon Cancer Screening
Abdominal Pain
Heartburn and GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
Viral Hepatitis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
Diverticulitis, Diverticulosis and Ischemic Bowel Disease
Celiac Disease and Food Intolerances
Heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Chronic Vomiting and Gastroparesis
Functional Illness, such as Constipation, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Belching and Flatulence
Peptic Ulcer Disease and Helicobacter Pylori
Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
Gallbladder Disease
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Cirrhosis
GI Infections Caused by Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi and Protozoa
 
Procedures Performed:
 
Colonoscopy (Details Below)
Upper Endoscopy (EGD) (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy) (Details Below)
EGD with BRAVO (Click Here for more Info)
Colonoscopy with APC (Argon Plasma Coagulation)

Colonoscopy (Click Here For Procedure Preparations)
 
To examine the colon, or large intestine, a colonoscopy is performed on an outpatient basis. The colon is approximately four to six feet in length and has numerous functions. This procedure aids doctors in diagnosing cancer, polyps, colitis and other serious disorders. Prior to the procedure, the patient will receive instructions on how to clean and empty the colon. This generally consists of a special solution, a laxative, in addition to a clear liquid diet the day before the colonoscopy is performed. The patient will receive sedative medication before and during the procedure so that there is virtually no recollection of the procedure in almost all patients.  A colonoscope is gently passed through the anus and to the end of the colon, while the doctor views images on a monitor. Other procedures, such as a biopsy and removing polyps, can be performed during a colonoscopy, if indicated. Following the procedure, a patient may experience some slight cramping in the abdomen. This cramping is typically due to some retained gas and will generally subside within an hour after the procedure.  Colonoscopy results are discussed with the patient following the procedure, but any pathology specimen is sent out for analysis and can therefore take some time to obtain the results.
 
Upper Endoscopy (EGD) (Click Here For Procedure Preparations)
 
If you have pain in your upper abdomen, swallowing difficulty, nausea or vomiting, etc., an upper endoscopy may help your doctor diagnose your symptoms. Your doctor will pass an endoscope through your mouth and into your upper gastrointestinal tract. An endoscope consists of a thin, flexible tube with a small light and camera lens, which allows your doctor to view images of your upper GI tract, including the stomach, esophagus and duodenum. Prior to the procedure, the patient will receive instructions about when to stop eating to prepare for the procedure.  The patient will receive sedative medication before and during the procedure so that there is virtually no recollection of the procedure in almost all patients.  Some patients may feel slight soreness in their throat and bloating following the procedure, but these side effects should rapidly subside. EGD results are discussed with the patient following the procedure, but any pathology specimen is sent out for analysis and can therefore take some time to obtain the results.