Experts recommend a colonoscopy at 50 years old
Why? Because a colonoscopy can stop cancer before it starts. During a colonoscopy, doctors can find polyps and remove them before they have a chance to become cancerous. Even if cancer has already started, if caught early, it is very treatable with a high rate of survival.
So, make an appointment now. It could save your life.
Advanced Care for Digestive Health
Are you one of the millions of Americans who suffers from digestive symptoms like heartburn or abdominal pain? Count on the experts at Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center for these or any other GI (gastrointenstinal) concerns:
- Abdominal pain
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Colorectal Cancer
- Gallstones
- Heartburn
- Hemorrhoids
- Hepatitis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis)
- Ulcer Disease
Our GI specialist, Dr. Amritbhai Patel, is board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine, and is fellowship-trained in gastroenterology. He has nearly 30 years of experience in detecting and treating a broad spectrum of digestive problems.
Learn more about Dr. Patel or make an appointment
State-of-the-art diagnostics and treatments
Our GI experts use a range of strategies, including advanced procedures, to pinpoint your problem and alleviate your symptoms. If you need a colonoscopy or other GI procedure, you'll find privacy and compassionate care in a comfortable environment. Appointments are easy to schedule and you'll get your diagnosis quickly. Our state-of-the-art procedures include:
- Colonoscopy - Colonoscopy enables physicians to examine the entire lining of the colon to help detect polyps, tumors and areas of inflammation or bleeding. During a colonoscopy, tissue samples can be collected and abnormal growths can be removed.
- Capsule Endoscopy - Used to determine the cause of pain or bleeding, the patient swallows a capsule with a tiny camera that moves naturally through the GI tract, recording thousands of images.
- TIF, or Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication - Our surgeons use TIF to treat the underlying cause of GERD by reconstructing an esophageal valve - the body's natural physical barrier to reflux. Because it is performed through the mouth, no incisions are made and there are no scars.
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - Using an endoscope and X-ray equipment, the physician is able to view internal anatomy on a video screen, allowing a physician to view, locate and treat blockages in the common bile duct and pancreatic duct.
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy - Sigmoidoscopy uses a lighted instrument to examine the rectum and lower colon. The examination can find precancerous and cancerous growths in these areas.
- Upper GI Endoscopy (EGD) - Upper endoscopy allows the physician to examine and treat symptoms of upper abdominal pain or bleeding, nausea, vomiting or difficulty in swallowing. A thin, lighted tube is guided into the mouth and throat, then into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
Do you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease?
Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include:
- Frequent heartburn
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dry cough
- Hoarseness
- Sore throat
- Post nasal drip
- Cough
To treat GERD, Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center offers a new surgical treatment called Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication, or TIF for short.
This procedure treats the underlying cause of GERD by reconstructing an esophageal valve, the body's natural physical barrier to reflux. Because it is performed through the mouth, no incisions are made and there are no scars. Results are highly successful with the majority of patients experiencing immediate relief from symptoms.
The dedicated TIF team is led by gastroenterologist Amritbhai Patel, M.D., and surgeon Frederick Tiesenga, M.D.
Dr. Patel is board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine; is Fellowship trained in gastroenterology; and has been in practice for nearly 30 years. His particular interests include: gall bladder disease, heartburn, liver problems, nutrition and pancreatic disease.
Dr. Tiesenga is board-certified in surgery and has lectured and taught nationally on surgical procedures. He is Fellowship-trained in laparoscopic gastric bypass; and is an affiliate surgeon of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons and a U.S. Surgical Proctor for Bariatric Surgery. He has been in practice for nearly 15 years and his special areas of interest is minimally invasive, scarless, laparoscopic surgery.
