Heartburn (GERD) / Inflammatory Bowel Disease / Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Appendicitis / Bowel Obstruction / Celiac Disease / Constipation / Diarrhea / Diverticulosis / Gallstones / Hemorrhoids /
Hernia / Pancreatitis / Peptic Ulcer Disease

Heartburn/GERD 
 -Heartburn is a painful burning feeling in your chest or throat.

  • Symptoms
    • Burning in the chest or throat
    • Taste stomach fluid in the back of the mouth
    • If you have these Symptoms more than twice a week, you may have GERD.
  • Diagnosis
    • Upper Endoscopy
    • Esophageal pH Test
    • Esophageal Manometry
  • Treatment
    • Medications
    • Surgery
    • Avoid alcohol and spicy, fatty or acidic foods that trigger heartburn
    • Eat smaller meals
    • Not eating close to bedtime
    • Losing weight if needed
    • Wear loose-fitting clothes

Inflammatory Bowel Disease 
 -Inflammation in the digestive tract

  • Symptoms
    • Severe or chronic pain in the abdomen
    • Diarrhea
    • Unexplained weight loss
    • Loss of appetite
    • Bleeding from the rectum
    • Joint pain
    • Skin problems
    • Fever
  • Diagnosis
    • Health History
    • Physical Exam
    • Blood tests
    • Stool sample
    • Colonoscopy or Sigmoidoscopy
    • X-rays with barium
    • Computerized axial tomography (CT or CAT scan)
    • Capsule endoscopy
  • Treatment
    • Medicines
    • Surgery
    • Changes in the foods you eat
    • Nutritional supplements
    • Reducing stress and getting enough rest

Irritable Bowel Syndrome 
 -A disorder of the intestines with a variety of Symptoms different for each patient.

  • Symptoms
    • Abdominal cramping
    • Bloating
    • Change in bowel habits
    • Constipation
    • Diarrhea
    • Alternating between constipation and diarrhea
    • Feeling like you haven't finished a bowel movement
    • Mucus in the stool
    • Swollen or bloated stomach area
    • Gas
  • Diagnosis
    • Stool sampling tests
    • Blood tests
    • X-rays
    • Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy
  • Treatment
    • Change in diet
    • Stress management
    • Medicine

Appendicitis 
 -An inflammation of the appendix

  • Symptoms
    • Upper or lower abdominal pain
    • Sharper pain as it moves to the lower right abdomen
    • Loss of appetite
    • Nausea and/or vomiting
    • Abdominal swelling
    • Fever of 99° F to 102° F
    • Inability to pass gas
    • Painful urination
    • Severe cramps
    • Constipation or diarrhea with gas
  • Diagnosis
    • Abdominal exam
    • Urine test
    • Rectal exam
    • Blood test
    • CT scans and/or ultrasound
  • Treatment
    • Surgery

Bowel Obstruction 
 -A completely or partly blocked intestine

  • Symptoms
    • Cramping
    • Vomiting.
    • Bloating.
    • Constipation and a lack of gas
    • Diarrhea
  • Diagnosis
    • Abdominal exam
    • Abdominal x-ray
    • CT scan
  • Treatment
    • May pass on its own
    • Flush with liquid or air
    • Stents
    • Medicine
    • Surgery

Celiac Disease 
 -The immune system damages the small intestine by attacking gluten found in some foods

  • Symptoms
    • Gas and bloating
    • Changes in bowel movements
    • Weight loss
    • Irritability
    • Depression
    • Fatigue
    • Weakness
  • Diagnosis
    • Physical exam
    • Blood test
    • Endoscopy
    • Biopsy
  • Treatment
    • Gluten free diet

Constipation 
 -Difficulty or less frequently passing bowel movements

  • Symptoms
    • Straining during a bowel movement
    • Hard stools
    • Incomplete evacuation
    • Two or fewer bowel movements in a week.
    • Infrequent bowel movements
    • Difficulty having bowel movements.
    • Swollen abdomen or
    • Abdominal pain.
    • Vomiting.
  • Diagnosis
    • Blood tests.
    • Barium studies
    • Colonoscopy
  • Treatment
    • Drink extra glasses of water a day
    • Warm liquids
    • Fruits and vegetables
    • Eat prunes and/or bran cereal
    • Very mild stool softener or laxative

Diarrhea 
 -Loose and frequent watery stools.

  • Symptoms
    • Abdominal bloating
    • Cramps
    • Thin or loose stools
    • Watery stool
    • Sense of urgency to have a bowel movement
    • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diagnosis
    • Call your doctor if diarrhea or a fever lasts more than 24 hours
  • Treatment
    • May pass on its own
    • Over-the-counter medications
    • Extra liquids

Diverticulosis 
 -Pouches that form on the walls of the colon

  • Symptoms
    • No Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
    • Barium enema X-ray
    • Colonoscopy
  • Treatment
    • High fiber diet
    • Plenty of fluids

Gallstones 
 -Cholesterol and other things found in bile that harden and form stones which can block a duct and cause problems.

  • Symptoms
    • Pain
    • Fever with chills
    • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
    • Sudden abdominal or chest pain
  • Diagnosis
    • Ultrasound
    • Gallbladder scan
  • Treatment
    • May pass on its own
    • Multiple occurrences may require surgery and removal of the gallbladder

Hemorrhoids 
 -Swollen veins that form internally and/or externally on the anal canal.

  • Symptoms
    • Bleeding during bowel movements
    • Itching.
    • Rectal pain.
  • Diagnosis
    • Physical exam
  • Treatment
    • Add fiber to your diet
    • Drink more water
    • Over-the-counter ointments
    • Tie off the hemorrhoids
    • Surgery

Hernia 
 -A portion of an internal organ bulges through a weak spot in a muscle.

  • Symptoms
    • No Symptoms
    • Discomfort and pain
    • Pain worsens when you stand, lift or strain.
  • Diagnosis
    • Physical exam
  • Treatment
    • Surgery

Pancreatitis 
 -An inflammation of the pancreas caused by the digestive enzymes digesting the pancreas itself.

  • Symptoms
    • Upper abdominal pain
    • Swollen and tender abdomen
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Fever
    • Increased heart rate
  • Diagnosis
    • Blood tests
    • Stool tests
    • Computerized tomography (CT) scan
    • Abdominal ultrasound
    • Endoscopic ultrasound
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Treatment
    • Hospitalization to stabilize the pancreatitis
    • Rest for your pancreas
    • Pain medications
    • Intravenous (IV) fluids

Peptic Ulcer Disease 
 -A sore in the inner lining of the stomach or upper small intestine

  • Symptoms
    • A burning, aching, gnawing pain between the belly button (navel) and the breastbone
    • Bloating or nausea after eating
    • Vomiting.
    • Passing black stools
    • Feeling of fullness
    • Hunger and an empty feeling in the stomach
    • Mild nausea
  • Diagnosis
    • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
    • Upper GI
    • Hemoglobin
    • Stool guaiac
  • Treatment
    • Medications
    • Surgery

 For a physician referral or to learn more about the UH Geauga Medical Center Digestive Health Institute / Bariatric Surgery, Metabolic & Nutrition Center please call 440-285-7757.