Central Maine Healthcare

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Gastroenterology

Your digestive system involves so many parts of the body – your throat, stomach, intestines, colon, rectum, pancreas, gallbladder and liver. So, when you experience pain or discomfort in any of those areas, it’s important to see a specialist who understands this connected system and can help you find the relief you need.

At Central Maine Healthcare, our board-certified gastroenterologists are up to the task. We provide expert care for all types of gastric problems, from everyday stomach ailments to complex intestinal, swallowing and inflammatory conditions. Working closely with you, we’ll create a tailor-made treatment plan to relieve your specific symptoms, so you can get back to your life.

Specialized Care for Digestive Disorders

Our GI doctors combine years of experience with compassionate care to diagnose and treat any gastric issue. Specialties include:

  • Bowel disorders
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Esophageal disorders
  • Hepatitis
  • Ulcerative colitis

Each condition calls for a different path to find the best diagnosis. Some can be identified by blood tests alone; for others we might use X-rays, a CT or MRI, colonoscopy or endoscopy—a painless procedure in which your doctor inserts a thin tube, with a camera attached at the end, into your digestive tract to see what’s happening.

No matter how complex, we can help manage the problem successfully, and, in many instances, completely cure it. Depending on your symptoms, treatment options may include medication, lifestyle support, minimally invasive procedures or other therapies to meet your needs.

Helping You Take Control

Some digestive disorders will be with you long-term, and you may need a program of self-management to keep symptoms at bay. Our team, including registered dietitians, is here to show you the skills and tools to support your healthiest life.

Gastroenterology Treatments & Specialties

At Central Maine Healthcare, we’re committed to helping people throughout western and central Maine take charge of their digestive health.

Our board-certified gastroenterologists provide specialized care for a full range of gastric conditions, whether your symptoms are mild or significantly impacting your health and daily life. We provide the latest diagnostic tests to understand exactly what’s ailing you, as all as the latest treatments to help you manage your condition more easily and effectively.

Endoscopic Ultrasound

Ultrasounds offer a minimally invasive way to evaluate disorders in all parts of the body, including digestive disorders. These exams use an endoscope—a long, fiber-optic tube that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce detailed images of the lining and walls of the digestive tract and chest. It can also examine nearby organs, including the pancreas, liver and lymph nodes, for other potential problems.

ECRP

ECRP is a kind of endoscope exam, designed to examine your pancreatic and bile ducts highlighted with dye. Most of the time, your doctor will pair an ECRP with X-rays to get the complete picture.

Laparoscopic Surgery

Should you require surgery to help treat a digestive problem, rest assured you’re in skilled hands. Our surgeons specialize in laparoscopic techniques, which often offer significantly less pain and scarring, fewer complications and a faster recovery compared to traditional “open” procedures.

Prokinetics

Prokinetics are a type of medication that reduces some of the discomforts of gastro disorders caused by “delayed emptying.”

Integrative Medicine

For gastric disorders, as well as ailments in other parts of the body, integrative medicine at Central Maine offers therapies that can play a vital role in healing.

Acupuncture can help relieve symptoms by stimulating the body’s own natural painkillers. Other approaches include probiotics (beneficial bacteria already found in the digestive tract), fish oil (now widely recognized as an anti-inflammatory), aloe vera gel, as well as nutritional and herbal supplements.

Our GI doctors and integrative medicine experts will work together and with you to help create a custom and comprehensive treatment plan.

Gastrointestinal Disorders We Treat

Dealing with any kind of gastrointestinal problem can be painful, not to mention undue stress or embarrassment that keeps you from the life you love.

At Central Maine Health, we can help put your body – and mind – at ease. Our dedicated team of gastroenterologists and support staff, including registered dietitians, are skilled in treating all types of digestive problems. Whether your problem is a short-lived “stomach bug” or a chronic condition, count on our experts to help you find the right solution to help get back to feeling and living your best.

  • Bowel disorders: When you have a bowel disorder, it means you’re not digesting and absorbing food well. The problem is in your intestines, and your first clues likely will be diarrhea or constipation, stomach pain, blood in your stool, bloating or nausea. The four main types of bowel disorders are irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease and intestinal obstruction. Whatever you’re dealing with, we can help you find relief.
  • Colorectal cancer: Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and the third-most common cancer in both men and women. But through early detection and treatment, the disease is also highly preventable. Nearly all cases that are diagnosed early can lead to a complete cure. At Central Maine, our GI doctors and oncologists work closely together to help conquer this disease.
  • Crohn’s disease: As an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and autoimmune disorder, Crohn’s disease can be painful (and dangerous) if you don’t get it diagnosed. You could experience severe diarrhea, malnutrition, extreme fatigue, and inflamed skin, eyes and joints. Researchers are working on finding a cure; in the meantime, our experts offer a variety of therapies to tame your symptoms and help you lead a normal, productive life.
  • Esophageal disorders: Your esophagus is the long, hollow tube that runs from your throat to your stomach. It’s where you take in food to send down to your intestines, but it’s not a free-fall; the walls of your esophagus coax food down with muscle contractions. When it’s not working correctly, you might have difficulty swallowing or even feel some chest or back pain. Our specialists can help you find lasting relief for GERD (acid reflux), heartburn and other conditions.
  • Hepatitis: The three forms of hepatitis — A, B and C — are three distinct diseases, each with its own symptoms and treatments. They’re all diseases of the liver, but the good news is, they’re all treatable. In fact, when someone got a diagnosis of Hepatitis C in the past, liver cancer was a foregone conclusion. Today, it’s often curable with the types of treatments available at Central Maine Healthcare.
  • Ulcerative colitis: People with ulcerative colitis have long-lasting ulcers and inflammation in the inner linings of the large intestine, colon or rectum. It’s another IBD and symptoms develop over time; they can include diarrhea (often with blood or pus), stomach pain and cramping, the urge to eliminate your waste but you can’t, fatigue and fever. In most instances, medication is the treatment of choice and highly effective.