Oaklawn Facilities in Marshall-
The digestive system includes the 25-foot-long tube that processes food and nutrients, plus the stomach, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. These organs break down and absorb the food we eat so that the nutrients can be transported into the blood stream and delivered to cells throughout the body. Good digestive health is a result of all these organs functioning properly. When these organs do not function properly, then you may need to see a gastroenterologist.
Oaklawn Gastroenterology specializes in the diagnoses and treatment of diseases of the digestive system. In addition to rare disoders of the digestive system, gastroenterologists diagnose or treat the following common conditions:
- Colorectal cancer, inclluding determining whether you have a genetic risk
- Viral hepatitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- Diverticulitis, diverticulosis and ischemic bowel disease
- Celiac disease and food intolerances
- Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Chronic vomiting and gastroparesis
- Functional illness, such as constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, belching and flatulence
- Peptic ulcer disease and Helicobacter pylori
- Acute and chronic pancreatitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- GI infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa
Typical tests performed by a GI doctor.
Gastroenterologists use a number of techniques to view the organs of the digestive tract. The most common tests they perform are colonoscopy and upper-GI endoscopy (EGD).
Colonoscopy is performed to examine the large intestine for disease, most commonly colorectal cancer. Everyone age 50 and older should be screened for colorectal cancer. The gastroenterologist uses a long, thin, flexible tube with a tiny video camera and a light on the end--called the colonoscope--to view the entire colon and rectum and check for polyps, inflammatory changes or cancer. If polyps are found, they often can be removed with this procedure.
Endoscopy is performed to examine the upper digestive system for various problems including difficult or painful swallowing, pain in the stomach or abdomen, bleeding, ulcers, tumors, and problems with the gallbladder, pancreas and bile ducts. The gastroenterologist uses a long, thin, flexible tube with a tiny video camera and light on the end--called the endoscope--to examine the inside linig of the upper digestive system. In some cases, GIs can treat digestive conditions through the endoscope.
Freda L. Arlow M.D. joined Oaklawn's active staff in May 2002, and Oaklawn Medical Group-Gastroenterology in September 2008.
Jonathan M. Ross, M.D. joined the practic in March 2009.
Guy C. Power, M.D. joined the practice in July 2011.