Digestive Diseases

Digestive Conditions We Treat

Conditions of the Upper GI Tract

Barrett’s Esophagus: A disorder that occurs when the lining of the esophagus becomes damaged because stomach acid is leaking backward. Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) causes this irritation and commonly results in symptoms of heartburn. At Baylor Plano, we offer Barrett’s ablation, an advanced treatment that delivers radiofrequency energy to the lining of the esophagus to treat the diseased tissue.

• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux): A common condition in which food or liquid moves backward from the stomach to the esophagus shortly after being ingested. This causes irritation to the esophagus and symptoms including heartburn.
• Eosinophilic esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus marks this condition. Patients might experience symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or heartburn.
• Duodenal ulcers: An erosion in the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine. People who have a family history of ulcers or an “O” blood type are at higher risk of developing a duodenal ulcer.
• Gastric ulcers: This type of ulcer occurs in the lining of the stomach. For both gastric and duodenal ulcers, the most common symptom is abdominal pain, but small ulcers typically don’t cause symptoms.
• Cancer: At Baylor Plano, we treat various cancers related to the gastrointestinal (GI) system, including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, liver and pancreas.

Conditions of the Lower GI Tract

• Gallstones: Small, hard deposits that form inside the gallbladder. Deposits range in size and symptoms vary, but may include abdominal cramping and fever.
• Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C: Inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). HBV is spread through body fluids such as blood, semen or vaginal fluids. HCV is most commonly spread through contact with the blood of an infected person.
• IBD (inflammatory bowel disease): Conditions in which the gastrointestinal tract (anywhere from the mouth to the rectum) is chronically inflamed. Symptoms, including pain and diarrhea, come and go and may be mild to severe. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the most common types of IBD.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes pain, cramping, changes in bowel movements and other symptoms. The specific symptoms are different for each person and can range from mild to severe.
• Ulcerative colitis: This type of IBD affects the large intestine and rectum, causing symptoms including abdominal pain and cramping that’s typically relieved by a bowel movement, diarrhea, weight loss or fever.
• Crohn’s disease: A form of IBD, that involves chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, Crohn’s can cause abdominal cramping, gas, fever, fatigue and persistent, watery diarrhea.
• Diverticulitis: A condition in which small, abnormal pouches—called diverticulum—in the lining of the colon become inflamed. The condition of having these pouches is called diverticulosis.
• Colorectal cancer and polyps: Almost all cases of colorectal cancer begin as benign, or noncancerous, polyps. Colorectal polyps can be detected in a rectal exam or a test like a colonoscopy. Polyps are usually removed during a colonoscopy, because they could develop into cancer over time.
• Unexplained abdominal pain: Pain that occurs anywhere from your chest to groin. Many conditions cause abdominal pain. Professional medical help is necessary to discover the cause.

For a referral to a gastroenterologist on the Baylor Plano medical staff, click here.

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