Topics

Symptoms, Conditions & Procedures

Whether you are looking for assistance for yourself or a family member, gastrointestinal difficulties are never comfortable to deal with. At GastroArkansas, we strive to provide care that puts every member of your family at ease, regardless of what symptom or condition you may be dealing with. We are proud to assist patients in Little Rock, AR with state-of-the-art services to diagnose, treat, and manage all types of GI conditions such as acid reflux, GERD, Crohn's disease, hemorrhoids, and more. Our skilled gastroenterologists are also well-equipped to perform common procedures such as colonoscopies, colon cancer screenings, hemorrhoid banding, sphincterotomies, and much more. Whether you are struggling with diarrhea, heartburn, constipation, or other uncomfortable GI concerns, we urge you to contact our GastroArkansas team of professionals who are ready to assist you with your GI concerns and get you back on the right path to GI wellness.

GI Symptoms

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is a localized pain or generalized discomfort located between the pelvis and chest and can be associated with various conditions.

Anal/Rectal Bleeding

Anal or rectal bleeding can be a symptom of GI conditions like an anal ulcer or hemorrhoids and is characterized by blood that passes from the anus.

Bloating

Bloating can be an indication of several GI conditions and is often caused by fluid retention in the abdomen or gas accumulation in the GI tract.

Blood in the Stool

Blood in the stool means that bleeding is occurring somewhere within the GI tract. The blood can range in color based on the location of the bleed.

Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence is the inability to control one's bowel movements and can range from stool leakage while passing gas to complete loss of control.

Constipation

Constipation is a common symptom that occurs when it is difficult to move stool through the GI tract due to it becoming too dry or moving too slowly.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be a common symptom of a variety of conditions and is characterized by loose, watery stools occurring more than three times per day.

Difficulty Swallowing

Difficulty swallowing can be a symptom of various conditions and occurs when items consumed do not move easily from the esophagus to the stomach.

Heartburn

Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest, often combined with an acidic taste in the mouth, that can magnify after eating, bending, or lying down.

Indigestion

Indigestion, sometimes a symptom of other conditions, is upper abdominal pain often combined with an uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating.

Nausea

Nausea is an uneasy feeling in the stomach that gives someone the urge to vomit or throw up that may be caused by an underlying illness or condition.

Unexplained Weight Gain/Loss

An unexplained weight gain or loss is a change in weight that is noticeable by either gaining or losing without making an effort to make any changes.

Vomiting

Vomiting is a natural response and the body’s way of removing possible threats, such as poison or viruses, by forcefully expelling them from the body.

Yellowing of the Skin/Eyes

Yellowing of the skin and eyes is a symptom of elevated bilirubin levels in the blood causing a yellowish hue in the whites of the eyes and the skin.

GI Conditions

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux occurs when acid from the stomach travels back up into the esophagus because the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is not working properly.

Anal Fissure

An anal fissure is a small rip in the tissue lining the anus. These may cause discomfort, bloody stools, and muscle spasms at the anal sphincter.

Anemia/Iron Deficiency

Anemia/iron deficiency is a condition where low levels of healthy red blood cells make it difficult for blood to transport enough oxygen to the body.

Barrett's Esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus is a GERD-related complication where the tissue lining the esophagus begins to mirror the tissue that is found in the intestines.

Biliary Obstruction

A biliary obstruction occurs when a duct moving bile from the liver to the intestinal tract gets blocked and cannot allow bile to pass as needed.

C. Difficile Colitis

C. difficile colitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the large intestine after contracting a bacterial infection of Clostridium difficile.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disease that can cause long-term digestive problems and is triggered by foods ingested that contain gluten.

Colitis

Colitis is when the inner lining of the colon becomes inflamed. This generalized inflammation can be caused by many sources such as infection and IBD.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is a serious disease that starts as benign growths in the large intestine (colon). It can often be prevented with routine screenings.

Colorectal Polyps

Colorectal polyps are a clump of cells that form on the lining of the rectum or the colon. These polyps are usually harmless but can become cancerous.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes painful inflammation of the GI tract, usually affecting the colon and small bowel.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

Cyclic vomiting syndrome, or CVS, has no known cause and is characterized by sudden, repeated episodes of vomiting attacks and severe nausea.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a complication that occurs following diverticulosis where the diverticula pouches that have formed become infected and swell.

Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis is a generally mild GI condition where small pouches or pockets, known as diverticula, push through the outer lining of the intestines.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is an inability to ingest food or drink due to having difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia can be caused by muscle spasms or internal issues.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

(EoE) is usually a response to acid reflux or allergens that causes inflammation in the lining of the esophagus due to eosinophil cell accumulation.

Esophageal Motility Disorder

Esophageal motility disorder, or esophageal dysmotility, occurs when the esophagus muscles fail to contract and can’t deliver food or drinks properly.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis describes the generalized inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, the tube that transports foods from the mouth to the stomach.

Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease, or hepatic steatosis, is a condition where fat accumulates in liver cells causing inflammation and scarring, leading to damage.

Fistula

Fistulae occur when two hollow organs in the body form a tunnel between them. A fistula may be caused by an injury, disease, or be medically induced.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance is when the digestive system has difficulty processing certain foods and is characterized by rashes, loose stools, and vomiting.

Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease is a term used to describe various conditions involving the gallbladder such as cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia, or gallstones.

Gastritis

Gastritis is the inflammation, irritation, or damage to the lining of the stomach which can elevate the risk for stomach bleeding, ulcers, and cancer.

GERD

GERD is the occurrence of acid reflux multiple times within a week. It causes acid in the stomach to flow back into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter Pylori is a bacteria that affects your digestive system. When untreated, it can cause stomach ulcers and harm the inner stomach lining.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids (piles) are swollen veins present in your anus or rectum. They develop under the skin around the anus and can protrude or bulge.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a virus that causes inflammation or swelling of the liver and is classified into three variations of severity known as type A, B, and C.

Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernias happen when the top of your stomach bulges out through the opening in your diaphragm, penetrating into your chest cavity.

Ileitis

Ileitis is inflammation of the ileum, the part of the small bowel where it joins with the small intestine, causing unwanted diarrhea and weight loss.

Impacted Bowel

An impacted bowel is a result of when something blocks your bowels in the large or small intestine causing you to be unable to pass stool or gas.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is describes inflammation in your GI tract that is grouped into Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, causing discomfort.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome presents as repeated symptoms within the digestive tract, causing pain in the abdomen and a change in bowel movements.

Jaundice

Jaundice is a condition causing the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. It results when excess levels of bilirubin accumulate in the body.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is the result of your body being intolerant to lactose, meaning you don’t have enough of the enzyme lactase to break lactose down.

Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis (hepatic cirrhosis) is a disorder where the liver is inflamed and scarred from late-stage liver disease and chronic alcohol abuse.

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver, and, over time, can result in liver cirrhosis.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is what happens when the pancreas becomes swollen and inflamed, hindering its ability to function and help with digestion.

Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are open sores or ulcerations that are present in the stomach or upper small intestine that cause discomfort, bleeding, and pain.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis is an uncommon autoimmune disorder that slowly damages the bile ducts (intrahepatic bile ducts) within the liver.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a liver disease that happens when the bile ducts get irritated, scarred, and damaged, resulting in liver cirrhosis.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis causes painful swelling and ulcerations inside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This form of IBD targets the colon's inner lining.

GI Procedures

Anorectal Manometry

Anorectal manometry is a test that is utilized to evaluate the response and power of the muscles needed for having a standard bowel movement.

Argon Laser Therapy

Argon laser therapy utilizes an argon gas device to absorb pigments (hemoglobin and melanin) to treat GI issues like dysphagia, strictures, and more.

Bravo™ pH Monitoring

Bravo pH monitoring is a test that uses a small pH capsule to measure the pH level of the esophagus to identify if heartburn or GERD is present.

Capsule Endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy is an endoscopic procedure where a pill with a camera is swallowed and then used to capture images of the small bowel or intestine.

Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer screening is the process of searching for polyps and cancer on the inner wall of the colon and rectum when no GI symptoms exist.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is an endoscopic test where a scope is placed into the rectum to check the interior of the colon to determine the cause of GI symptoms.

EGD

EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is a procedure that helps determine the cause of stomach pain, heartburn, reflux, difficulty swallowing, and more.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

Endoscopic mucosal resection is a treatment that enables doctors to remove tumors located just beneath the intestinal lining without surgery.

Enteroscopy

Enteroscopy is an endoscopic procedure where a long, thin tube is inserted into the mouth to help clearly see the lining of the esophagus and stomach.

ERCP

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure where a scope is inserted via the mouth to analyze all areas of the GI system.

Esophageal Dilation

Esophageal dilation is when your esophagus is stretched to help a narrowed or blocked region so that it can function properly.

Esophageal Manometry

Esophageal manometry is a motility study that is used to measure the contractile and relaxation function of the esophagus to identify GI problems.

Feeding Tube Insertion (PEG)

Feeding tube insertion is when a tube is placed in the stomach to transport necessary fluids, nutrition, and medication when it can’t be done orally.

FibroScan®

A FibroScan noninvasively checks the liver for fibrosis and/or steatosis, allowing our providers to create proper treatment methods.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic technique where a scope with a camera is inserted in the rectum to check for abnormalities like bleeding.

Hemorrhoid Banding

Hemorrhoid banding (rubber band ligation) is a removal technique that cuts off circulation to a hemorrhoid so that it falls off naturally.

Infusion Therapy (IV Infusion)

Infusion therapy is the delivery of medication and fluids intravenously when a patient cannot ingest them, or oral administration is not recommended.

Sphincterotomy

A sphincterotomy is a surgical procedure that treats anal fissures (a tear within the lining of the anus) that causes discomfort when passing stool.