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LIVER DISEASE

“Liver disease” covers a range of disorders that affect the liver’s many important functions. These include: viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, autoimmune disease, alcoholic liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, fatty liver disease, cystic liver disease, sarcoidosis, liver cancer, porphyria, hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, Budd-Chiari syndrome, Gilbert’s syndrome, liver abscess and many others.

Symptoms Include:

  • Jaundice
  • Dark urine or light-colored stool
  • Pain in the upper right of the abdomen
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite
  • Unexplained weight loss or gain
  • Fatigue, malaise or muscle aches and pains
  • Low blood sugar
  • Low-grade fever
  • Diminished sex drive
  • Depression

With advanced testing and treatment facilities our team of medical experts can effectively diagnose and treat liver diseases and support the lifestyle changes that lead to health and wellbeing.

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HEARTBURN & ACID REFLUX

When muscles in the lower esophagus abnormally weaken or relax, stomach acid can back up and cause a burning sensation behind the breastbone, a sour taste in the mouth and/or the sensation of food re-entering the mouth.

Left untreated, chronic heartburn can result in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition to heartburn, GERD can cause chest pain, difficult swallowing, coughing, anemia, ulcers and regurgitation of food or sour liquid. Over a period of years, GERD can cause a hoarse, raspy or weak voice, and even lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that increases the risk of esophageal cancer.

Upper endoscopy is performed to diagnose the underlying cause of symptoms. In most cases, the reflux can be treated with medications. However, in the event surgical repair is required, our team of medical experts can perform the procedure in the comfort of Midwest Endoscopy Center.

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IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Irritable bowel syndrome, typically diagnosed before age 35, afflicts 1 in 8.5 people. The disorder doesn’t damage the digestive tract or cause other health problems, but the effects on the functioning of the small and large bowels are uncomfortable, socially embarrassing and life altering.

Symptoms Include:

  • Cramping or abdominal pain
  • Difficult, infrequent or altered bowel habits
  • Diarrhea or frequent loose stools
  • Bloating gas
  • Mucus in the stool

While there is no definitive cause, the disorder appears to be related to faulty intestinal muscle contraction and movement of stool. Diet and stress can be factors. Symptoms can also point to more serious illness, such as infection, inflammatory bowel disease or cancer. Our medical team performs comprehensive evaluations first to rule out other illnesses. With a true diagnosis, they can prescribe a care plan bringing you relief and bringing back your life.

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HEPATITIS C

Hepatitis C is a blood-transmitted virus that attacks the liver. Symptoms may not be detectable until liver damage shows up on a routine medical exam. You are at risk and should be tested if you have taken illicit drugs through contaminated needles or nose apparatus, had tattoos or body piercings with contaminated needles, or blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992. Left untreated, Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure.

Our testing enables doctors to diagnose the disease, determine the amount of virus in the blood and pinpoint its genetic makeup. Armed with this depth of results, our doctors can prescribe health care’s most effective treatment to achieve the highest health and wellbeing.

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INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Inflammatory bowel disease refers to 2 chronic disorders: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which have common features and important differences. Ulcerative colitis affects the lining of the intestine (colon), causing it to become inflamed and develop ulcers. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and causes inflammation extending deeper into the intestinal wall. While ulcerative colitis tends to affect only the lining of the bowel, Crohn’s disease typically involves the entire bowel wall.

There is no definitive cause, but factors involved include diet, environment and genetics.

Symptoms Include:

  • Mild to severe diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Rectal bleeding, sometimes leading to anemia
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss, dehydration and malnutrition
  • Delayed development and stunted growth in children
  • Certain types of arthritis and skin disorders

Because the symptoms can be linked to other disorders, diagnosis can be challenging. We employ upper and lower endoscopies to look deep into the digestive tract, along with medical history and other tests. Once a diagnosis is certain, we create effective care plans to manage the disorder and help you live a more normal life. Because this disease carries an increased risk of colon cancer, follow-up care and screenings are vital.

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HEMORRHOIDS

A hemorrhoid is a discomforting collection of swollen tissue and blood vessels in the lower rectum or anus, affecting more than half of adults at some point in their lives. Common causes include constipation, pregnancy, childbirth, obesity, heavy lifting, sitting for long periods and diarrhea. Home remedies, such as hemorrhoid creams, suppositories and warm baths may bring temporary relief, but hemorrhoids do not go away, can get worse over time, and can grow in size and number.

Midwest Endoscopy Center offers non-surgical hemorrhoid removal that is proven effective, fast and painless, and requires no anesthesia. Following testing to identify the type and number of hemorrhoids, we can immediately begin the “hemorrhoid banding” treatment and devise an after care plan to help you return to normal activities.

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