Gastroenterology and digestive health services
All of us have gastrointestinal health issues at some point in our lives. Liver, bile duct or gallbladder diseases
affect one out of ten Americans. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects an estimated seven percent of the population, with 20 percent of us experiencing weekly heartburn. Up to 20 percent of us have irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS).
By age 50, we all need to be screened for colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths. These are just a few of the more common issues we may face. Aurora's Gastroenterology/GI Services would like to help you stay informed and healthy.
Aurora provides the latest advancements in diagnosis and treatment for a wide variety of gastrointestinal conditions, both common and uncommon. Our physicians, called gastroenterologists, specialize in treating gastrointestinal health problems with current best practice, evidenced-based care. If you have any of the following signs or symptoms, a consultation with one of our doctors might be helpful. Find one of our gastroenterologists near you.
- Abdominal pain
- Excess gas
- Change in bowel habit
- Blood in the stool
- Persistent heartburn
- Unexplained weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
- Jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin, eyes, urine)
- Anemia (low red blood count)
Understanding the digestive system
The job of the digestive system, or gastrointestinal tract, is to transport and breakdown the food you eat so that it can be used by your body to build and nourish cells, and provide energy.
The digestive system is basically a long twisting tube more than 27 feet long. The different segments include the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. Each segment has its own job in the process of digestion.
Organs that are connected to the digestive system include the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and biliary tract. These organs produce or store materials that are needed with the digestion process.
Aurora can help you stay informed about new developments in understanding and maintaining your gastrointestinal health.
Read one patient's success story | Find one of our digestive health physicians