Gastroenterology

Specialized Care for Digestive, Liver & Gastrointestinal Disorders

The Gastroenterology Department at AS Medical Complex provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management for conditions affecting the digestive system.

The digestive system includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and related organs. Gastroenterology covers a broad range of conditions involving these organs, from common digestive symptoms to chronic gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

Our approach focuses on identifying the underlying cause of digestive symptoms and developing an individualized treatment plan according to each patient's medical condition and clinical needs.

Our Gastroenterology Services

The Gastroenterology Department at AS Medical Complex provides consultation and management for a wide range of gastrointestinal, digestive, and liver-related conditions.

Our services may include:

• Gastroenterology consultations

• Abdominal pain assessment

• Acidity and heartburn

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

• Gastritis

• Indigestion and dyspepsia

• Peptic ulcer disease

• Nausea and vomiting

• Persistent bloating and gas

• Constipation

• Acute and chronic diarrhea

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• Crohn's disease

• Ulcerative colitis

• Celiac disease

• Difficulty swallowing

• Gastrointestinal bleeding

• Liver function abnormalities

• Fatty liver disease

• Hepatitis and other liver disorders

• Cirrhosis

• Gallstones and gallbladder-related conditions

• Pancreatic disorders

• Pancreatitis

• Unexplained changes in bowel habits

• Unexplained weight loss associated with digestive symptoms

• Endoscopic evaluation when clinically indicated

• Long-term management of chronic digestive diseases

Acid Reflux & GERD

Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents move back into the esophagus. When reflux becomes persistent, troublesome, or causes complications, it may be diagnosed as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Common symptoms may include:

• Heartburn

• Acid regurgitation

• Burning discomfort after meals

• Sour or acidic taste in the mouth

• Chest discomfort related to reflux

• Difficulty swallowing

• Persistent throat irritation

• Symptoms that worsen after eating or lying down

Evaluation usually begins with the patient's symptoms and medical history. Some patients may require further diagnostic testing, including upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Treatment may involve appropriate lifestyle changes, medication, and further intervention depending on the severity and cause of the condition.

Gastritis & Stomach Disorders

Gastritis and other stomach disorders can cause upper abdominal discomfort, nausea, indigestion, reduced appetite, and other digestive symptoms.

Our gastroenterology team can evaluate patients for conditions such as:

• Gastritis

• Peptic ulcers

• Indigestion

• Dyspepsia

• H. pylori-related disease

• Persistent upper abdominal pain

• Nausea and vomiting

• Stomach inflammation

Depending on the patient's symptoms, investigations may include laboratory tests, H. pylori testing, imaging, or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy when clinically appropriate.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder characterized by recurring abdominal pain together with changes in bowel movements. Patients may experience diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both.

Common symptoms may include:

• Recurrent abdominal pain

• Abdominal cramping

• Bloating

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Alternating constipation and diarrhea

• Changes in stool frequency

• Changes in stool appearance

• Feeling of incomplete bowel movement

Because other digestive diseases can produce similar symptoms, proper medical assessment is important before determining the appropriate management plan.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease – IBD

Inflammatory Bowel Disease includes chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly:

• Ulcerative colitis

• Crohn's disease

Patients may experience symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, fatigue, or weight loss.

Diagnosis may involve medical history, examination, blood tests, stool tests, imaging, and endoscopic examination depending on the suspected condition. For example, evaluation of ulcerative colitis can include blood and stool testing as well as examination of the large intestine by endoscopy.

Patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease may require long-term monitoring and treatment.

Liver Disease & Hepatology Care

The liver performs many essential functions related to digestion, metabolism, and processing substances within the body.

Our Gastroenterology Department may evaluate and manage patients with:

• Abnormal liver function tests

• Fatty liver disease

• Hepatitis

• Liver inflammation

• Chronic liver disease

• Cirrhosis

• Jaundice

• Unexplained liver enzyme abnormalities

• Liver-related complications

Cirrhosis is a condition in which healthy liver tissue is progressively replaced by scar tissue, which can interfere with normal liver function.

Patients with suspected or established chronic liver disease may require blood tests, ultrasound or other imaging, medication, lifestyle recommendations, regular monitoring, and referral for additional specialist management when necessary.

Gallbladder & Gallstone Conditions

The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver. Gallstones are hardened deposits that form within the gallbladder and may remain symptom-free or cause problems if they obstruct the flow of bile.

Symptoms associated with gallbladder disease may include:

• Upper abdominal pain

• Pain after meals

• Nausea or vomiting

• Pain extending toward the back

• Indigestion

• Fever when complications occur

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes in certain cases

Diagnosis may involve medical history, physical examination, laboratory testing, and imaging such as ultrasound.

Patients with symptomatic gallstones or complications may require assessment by a surgeon in coordination with the gastroenterology team.

Pancreatic Disorders

The pancreas plays an important role in digestion and blood glucose regulation.

Gastroenterology assessment may be required for pancreatic conditions including:

• Acute pancreatitis

• Chronic pancreatitis

• Pancreatic abnormalities

• Persistent upper abdominal pain

• Abnormal pancreatic enzyme results

• Other pancreatic disorders

Depending on the condition, further laboratory investigations, imaging, hospitalization, or specialist intervention may be required.

Constipation & Diarrhea

Changes in bowel movements are common, but persistent or recurrent symptoms may require medical evaluation.

The Gastroenterology Department can assess:

• Chronic constipation

• Persistent diarrhea

• Alternating constipation and diarrhea

• Changes in stool appearance

• Changes in bowel frequency

• Abdominal pain associated with bowel movements

• Bloating

• Difficulty passing stool

• Recurrent loose stools

The underlying cause may range from diet and medication effects to IBS, infections, inflammatory disease, or other gastrointestinal disorders.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Bleeding within the digestive tract requires appropriate medical assessment.

Possible signs can include:

• Vomiting blood

• Vomit resembling coffee grounds

• Black or tarry stools

• Visible blood in stool

• Unexplained anemia

• Weakness associated with suspected blood loss

Blood in vomit or black, tarry stools can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding and should receive prompt medical attention.

Upper GI Endoscopy

An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy allows a doctor to examine the lining of the upper digestive tract using a flexible instrument equipped with a camera. The examination can include the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine.

An upper GI endoscopy may be recommended to evaluate conditions or symptoms such as:

• Persistent upper abdominal pain

• Difficulty swallowing

• Persistent reflux symptoms

• Gastrointestinal bleeding

• Gastritis

• Suspected ulcers

• Persistent nausea or vomiting

• Unexplained digestive symptoms

Biopsy samples may also be obtained during endoscopy when clinically required.

Diagnostic Evaluation

Diagnosing gastrointestinal conditions often requires combining the patient's symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and appropriate investigations.

Depending on the condition, investigations may include:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)

• Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

• Kidney function tests

• Pancreatic enzyme tests

• Stool examination

• H. pylori testing

• Hepatitis testing

• Ultrasound

• X-ray

• CT scan

• MRI or other specialized imaging

• Upper GI endoscopy

• Colon examination when clinically indicated

• Biopsy

• Other specialized gastrointestinal investigations

Not every patient requires all of these tests. Investigations are selected according to symptoms and clinical findings.

When Should You Visit a Gastroenterologist?

You may consider consulting a gastroenterologist if you experience:

• Persistent abdominal pain

• Frequent acidity or heartburn

• Persistent indigestion

• Recurrent nausea or vomiting

• Difficulty swallowing

• Persistent bloating

• Chronic constipation

• Recurrent or prolonged diarrhea

• Blood in stool

• Black or tarry stools

• Unexplained changes in bowel habits

• Unexplained weight loss

• Abnormal liver function tests

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes

• Persistent digestive symptoms

• Known liver disease

• Recurrent gallbladder symptoms

• Chronic gastrointestinal disease requiring follow-up

Symptoms such as vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained significant weight loss require prompt medical assessment.

Long-Term Digestive Health Management

Some gastrointestinal conditions are temporary, while others require ongoing treatment and regular follow-up.

Patients living with conditions such as GERD, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disease, or recurrent digestive problems may need long-term medical management.

Regular follow-up can help physicians:

• Monitor symptoms

• Review laboratory results

• Assess response to treatment

• Adjust medications when appropriate

• Monitor for complications

• Review nutrition and lifestyle factors

• Arrange further investigations when necessary

• Coordinate care with other medical or surgical specialties

At AS Medical Complex, we aim to provide coordinated care from initial diagnosis through treatment and ongoing follow-up.