Stomach Conditions
Gastric (Stomach) Cancer
Gastric cancer affects the stomach. If stomach cancer is suspected, certain tests may confirm or deny its presence, including upper endoscopy, EUS, biopsy, blood tests, imaging tests (MRIs and CT scans). If detected, one of our team will help guide you toward the appropriate gastric cancer treatment.
Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori)
H. pylori is contagious bacteria that enters your body and attacks the lining of your stomach or small intestine. H. pylori tends to infect people through food, water, or utensils, as well as through contact with the saliva or other body fluids of infected people. Stomach ulcers may form if the bacteria do enough damage, resulting in possible heartburn, bloating, weight loss, bleeding, infections, or disrupted digestion.
Your gastroenterologist will identify the cause of your symptoms using an upper endoscopy, blood tests, and/or a CT scan. If you have ulcers caused by H. pylori, your doctor will recommend one or more medications to kill the bacteria, heal the stomach lining, and keep the sores from returning.
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic ulcers are painful sores in the lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. An ulcer forms when there is an imbalance of digestive fluids and may cause heartburn, bloating, weight loss, bleeding, infections, or disrupted digestion, among other symptoms.
Peptic ulcers may be detected via a physical exam, blood tests, CT scans, or an upper endoscopy. Treatment may be one or a combination of medications. It will depend on the cause of the ulcer.
