Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology is the field of medicine relating to the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastroenterologists focus on the treatment of diseases of the digestive system, this includes a range of organs starting at the mouth and ending at the rectum.
Gastric health doctors in Miami
Many people experience digestive issues from time to time, but sometimes these issues can impact your quality of life. We believe you deserve to live a life without those issues.
HCA Florida Mercy Hospital is equipped with skilled gastroenterologists to diagnose and treat your condition. This means we can help restore your digestive tract, ensuring you are digesting nutrients to properly fuel your body. So if you are regularly having symptoms like heartburn, gas, constipation, diarrhea or stomach pain, our gastric doctors and digestive health specialists can help.
Our gastroenterology services
Using state-of-the-art technology, our highly trained staff are able to efficiently diagnose and manage gastrointestinal disorders.
GI diagnostics and treatments we offer
Our services include:
- Colonoscopy — An outpatient procedure in which the colon and rectum are examined with a fiber optic camera.
- Choledoscopy — An examination of the bile duct with the use of a fiber optic endoscope (a thin tube with a light at the end) for direct visualization of the biliary tree during.
- Electromyography (EMG) — A procedure that measures electrical activity after a muscle has been stimulated by a nerve.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) — A procedure that examines the pancreatic and bile ducts.
- Gastroscopy — An outpatient procedure involving a thin, flexible tube to view the stomach and small intestine through the throat.
- High-resolution anorectal manometry — A technique that allows precise assessment of anal and rectal movement.
- High-resolution esophageal manometry — A technique that allows precise assessment of esophageal movement.
- Nissen fundoplication — A surgical procedure used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Percutaneous endoscopy gastrostomy (PEG) — A medical procedure where a PEG tube is directed into the patient's stomach through the abdominal wall, usually for feeding.
- Pudendal nerve study — A study that evaluates the nerve connecting to the anal sphincter.
Colorectal cancer care
Colorectal cancer is understandably one of the most common concerns for our patients experiencing digestive health issues.
Our GI doctors and surgeons use early screening and innovative procedures to compassionately and effectively prevent, diagnose and treat colorectal cancer.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) imaging
An EUS combines ultrasound technology with endoscopy and is performed using an endoscope with an ultrasound transducer to examine the digestive tract. Both the preparation and the procedure itself are about the same as a conventional upper or lower GI endoscopy.
Common endoscopic ultrasound uses
EUS provides a diagnostic option that is free of radiation, and can be used to:
- Evaluate patients with Barrett's esophagus (excessive tissue) with high-grade dysplasia
- Detect common bile duct stones
- Collect fluid samples from the abdominal cavity
Conditions diagnosed with endoscopic ultrasound
The high-resolution images from an EUS assist immensely in diagnosing and staging various conditions, including:
- Ampullary carcinoma
- Anal sphincter and incontinence
- Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia
- Common bile duct stones
- Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Cancers of the gastric system
- Pancreatitis
- Rectal fistulas
- Smooth muscle tumors
Mercy Hospital's Dr. Alfredo Hernandez on Sudden Weight Loss
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