Care for Digestive Conditions Close to Home
When your gut health is off, life can feel off, too. A healthy digestive system is essential to feeling whole. At AdventHealth Port Charlotte, formerly ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte, we offer gastrointestinal (GI) services, including endoscopy.
Our expert gastroenterologists diagnose and treat a range of digestive conditions, including:
- Appendicitis and peritonitis
- Dietary sensitivities like celiac disease and lactose intolerance
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus
- Gastrointestinal viruses, infections and general discomfort
- H. pylori and ulcers
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease and diverticular disease
- Stomach, esophageal and colorectal cancer
We’re here to help you find the right gastroenterologist or a location that’s convenient for you.
Comprehensive Digestive Care from GI Experts
- Preventive Screenings for Expert Diagnoses
- Colorectal Surgery Options
- Colorectal Cancer
- Endoscopic Exams
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is an internal examination of the colon (large intestine) and rectum using a thin, flexible tube with a camera called a colonoscope. The doctor uses a video monitor to look for abnormalities such as ulcers, polyps, tumors or areas of inflammation or bleeding. If any irregularities are found, they can be biopsied or removed.
This outpatient exam is often used to screen for colon cancer or to evaluate symptoms such as abdominal pain, change in bowel habits or unexplained weight loss, among other symptoms. It can be completed in less than an hour and is performed under mild sedation to relieve any discomfort.
A colonoscopy can also treat certain diseases, including removing polyps, widening narrowed areas or blockages or addressing bleeding from diverticula or lesions. Specialized procedures, such as laser surgery or cauterizing techniques, may also be performed during a colonoscopy.
Defecography
Using X-ray, defecography tests the motion of the pelvic floor (the muscles that control bowel movements and of the anus and rectum during evacuation). This test is used to evaluate for disorders of the lower bowel that are not evident by tests such as colonoscopy.
High-Resolution Anoscopy (HRA)
We now offer a screening procedure option for rectal cancer known as high-resolution anoscopy (HRA). HRA treats and surveils anal dysplasia, a pre-cancerous condition, and the prevention of anal cancer by visualization under magnification.
HRA is different from a colonoscopy since a colonoscopy cannot adequately examine the anal canal for the problems HRA can detect. This outpatient procedure generally lasts about 15 minutes. According to the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, only a small percentage of suspicious lesions would be identified without HRA.
To learn more about treatment options for these colorectal conditions, please contact our gastrointestinal nurse navigator at Call941-766-4564.
We are accredited by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) as a Center of Excellence in Colorectal Surgery.
Our surgeons offer colon and rectal surgery, including using minimally invasive techniques, to treat colorectal conditions. They work closely with our expert gastroenterologists and other specialists to provide supportive care for colorectal conditions.
Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum and is also referred to as colon or rectal cancer, depending on the location of the tumor(s). Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum called polyps. Not all polyps become cancer, but some can change into cancer over time.
There are two main types of polyps:
- Hyperplastic and inflammatory polyps are the most common and are generally non-cancerous
- Adenomatous polyps (adenomas) are a pre-cancerous condition since they sometimes develop into cancer
Factors that may increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer or pre-cancerous polyps include:
- If a polyp measures larger than one centimeter
- If more than two polyps are found
- If there is an area in a polyp or in the lining of either the colon or rectum where the cells look abnormal but don't necessarily resemble characteristics of cancer
To learn more about treatment options for these colorectal conditions, please contact the GI nurse navigator at Call941-766-4564.
Endoscopy allows your doctor to visualize various areas inside your body using a thin, flexible tube fitted with a camera.
Endoscopic procedures are used to examine various parts of the body or treat certain conditions, including:
- Arthroscopy visualizes inside the joints
- Bronchoscopy examines the airways and lungs
- Colonoscopy looks at the large intestine and rectum
- Cystoscopy views the inside of the bladder
- Enteroscopy studies the small intestine (small bowel)
- Laparoscopy explores the abdomen or pelvis
- Sigmoidoscopy assesses the lower part of the colon
- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy investigates the esophagus and stomach
During the exam, an endoscope is passed through a natural opening in the body (such as the mouth or anus), or your doctor may make a small incision, such as in the pelvic or abdominal area, for a laparoscopic exam.
Endoscopy can also be used to perform a biopsy or remove tissue, and the endoscope can be fitted with various devices such as lasers, ultrasound devices or tiny surgical instruments. A mild sedative is used during most endoscopic procedures.
Digestive Conditions We Treat
- Colon Motility Conditions
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Your colon is a major organ in the gastrointestinal tract that plays a critical role in regulating the frequency and consistency of stools. Movement concerns often result in chronic constipation or bowel incontinence.
There are two primary symptoms of chronic motility difficulties, including:
- Altered bowel habits, such as constipation and diarrhea
- Irregular abdominal cramping
Additional symptoms include straining, urgency, the feeling of incomplete evacuation and the passage of mucus and bloating.
- Diverticular Disease
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Diverticular disease is a condition when diverticula (small bulges or sacs) form in the wall of the colon (large intestine), most commonly in the sigmoid colon (part of the large intestine closest to the rectum). According to The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), there are two main types of diverticular disease:
Diverticulosis: The presence of diverticula without associated complications or problems. This condition can lead to more serious issues, including diverticulitis, perforation (the formation of holes), stricture (a colon narrowing that does not easily let stool pass), fistulas and bleeding.
Diverticulitis: An inflammatory condition of the colon thought to be caused by perforation of one of the sacs. Several secondary complications can result from a diverticulitis attack. When this occurs, it is called complicated diverticulitis.
- Hemorrhoids, Fissures and Fistula
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Hemorrhoids occur around the anus and lower rectum (the bottom section of your colon) and are enlarged, bulging blood vessels. Often, they are referred to as varicose veins of the anus and rectum.
Fissures are small rips or tears in the lining of the anal canal (the short tube surrounded by muscle at the end of your rectum).
Fistulas are often the result of an anal abscess or an infection in the internal glands of the anus. They are common in patients diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often characterized by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. There are two main types of IBD: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC).
Although the symptoms of both are similar, the areas affected in your GI tract are different. Crohn’s disease may affect any part of your GI tract from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly affects the ileum (end of the small bowel) and the beginning of the colon (large intestine). In contrast, UC is limited to the colon.
Find an Expert Gastroenterologist Near You
It’s time to get your digestive health back on track and feel your best with whole-person care that heals you inside and out. From the initial diagnosis through each stage of the recovery process, we’ll answer any questions about scheduling, treatment, therapy or whatever else may come to mind.
A Connected Network of Whole-Person Care
You’re a connected system: body, mind and spirit. And so are we. With a multidisciplinary approach to care, we reach across specialties and locations to give you the support you need to thrive.
When it comes to your digestive health, you can count on us to listen to you, respect your time, compare notes and make care decisions that meet your unique needs and goals. No matter what’s on your chart or your mind, we’re here for you every step of the way.
We’re here to help you feel whole again — in body, mind and spirit.