Endoscopy Archives - Granite Peaks Gastroenterology of Utah

When Heartburn is More than Simple Indigestion

Posted on June 11, 2019December 27, 2024 by Christopher Cutler

How do you know when heartburn or “indigestion” is something more and needs to be treated? The gastroenterology specialists at Granite Peaks GI take time with their patients to determine if such symptoms may be a result of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). One of the red flags is heartburn occurring more than twice a week; although you can have GERD without the presence of heartburn. “If it is GERD, it needs to be diagnosed so further damage to the esophagus is minimized. There are also simple steps that can be taken to manage the disease and immediately improve one’s quality of life,” says Dr. Cutler, who explains more about the disease in the Q & A below.

What is GERD?

When we eat, food is carried from the mouth to the stomach through the esophagus. At the lower end of the esophagus where it joins the stomach there is a ring of muscle cells called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). After swallowing, the LES relaxes to allow food to enter the stomach. Then, the LES contracts to prevent food and acid from traveling back up into the esophagus. GERD occurs when the LES weakens, allowing stomach contents and acid to back up into the esophagus, causing troubling symptoms or complications.

Who gets GERD and when should you see a doctor?

GERD affects ten million adults in the United States on a daily basis. People prone to developing it include those who are overweight, smokers or drinkers, and pregnant women. If symptoms are prolonged, or if you are unable to control the symptoms with lifestyle modifications and/or medications, you should see a gastroenterologist. Do so immediately if you have these warning symptoms: throwing up blood, passing black stool, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or anemia.

What happens if you don’t treat GERD?

Untreated GERD may lead to the following complications: a narrowing of the esophagus which causes difficulty swallowing, ulcers which can cause bleeding, aspiration of acid into the lungs which may cause pneumonia or asthma, Barrett’s esophagus which is a precancerous lining of the esophagus, and esophageal cancer.

How is GERD treated?

Lifestyle modifications, such as the following, can help decrease symptoms: raising the head of the bed (placement of 6-inch blocks under the head of the bed), waiting at least three to four hours after eating before lying down, avoiding tight-fitting clothing, avoiding smoking and alcohol, losing weight, and eating smaller, more frequent meals. Foods that can commonly aggravate GERD include: fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, caffeine, and citrus drinks. There may be other foods specific to each patient. Medication can also be used to help treat this condition, including antacids such as Mylanta or Maalox, H2 blockers such as Zantac or Tagamet, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prilosec or Prevacid.

How is GERD diagnosed?

Your doctor may be able to diagnose this condition based upon your symptoms and response to therapy. If you have any of the classic warning symptoms mentioned above, your doctor may recommend an upper endoscopy. An upper endoscopy is a painless procedure performed under moderate sedation where a tiny lighted camera is passed through your mouth into your esophagus. Your gastroenterologist will be able to see whether there is damage to your stomach or esophageal tissue, and will be able to recommend a treatment plan to address your specific condition.

Talk to the experts at Granite Peaks Gastroenterology at our Sandy or Lehi office to help relieve your symptoms and determine the best course of action to treat your GERD.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Posted on October 24, 2017December 27, 2024 by J. David Schmidt

By Dr. J. David Schmidt

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic condition of the esophagus that affects both children and adults. Initially described in the 1960 and 1970s, the incidence rate has increased dramatically. Regional variations across the United States and globally show a higher prevalence of EoE in cold and arid climates compared to tropical climates. There is also a strong association between EoE and allergic conditions such as food and environmental allergies, asthma, and allergic/atopic dermatitis.

EoE Symptoms and Diagnosis
Adults with Eosinophilic Esophagitis frequently report chest pain, difficulty swallowing food, getting food stuck in the throat/esophagus while eating, heartburn, or upper abdominal pain. The condition is suggested by these symptoms; however, in order for the correct diagnosis to be established, an upper GI endoscopy is required. This procedure, known as an EGD or esophagogastroduodenoscopy, is a safe and short procedure performed under sedation where the esophagus and stomach are examined visually and biopsies can be taken. During the procedure, scar tissue rings that can form as a result of the allergy can be stretched or dilated. This is one of the treatments for the condition. It is also recommended that patients with eosinophilic esophagitis be evaluated/treated by an allergist or immunologist.

EoE Treatment
Treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis includes dietary modifications, medication trials, and endoscopic dilation. Traditionally, a six-food elimination diet (SFED) has been recommended. Foods to be eliminated include milk, egg, soy, wheat, peanuts/treatments, and fish/shellfish. Recent reports have suggested a four-food elimination diet is highly successful for most patients who opt for dietary management. This diet eliminates milk, egg, wheat, and legumes. Medical therapy includes treatment with topical corticosteroids either liquid or aerosolized preparations that deliver medication directly to the esophagus. This approach is reserved for patients after a two-month trial of acid-reducing medication with a PPI such as omeprazole. Endoscopic dilation of strictures or scar tissue is effective for relieving difficulty swallowing but has no effect on the underlying inflammation.

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic condition that requires either continued diet restrictions or medical and endoscopic management. For further information, please discuss your symptoms and concerns with your gastroenterologist.

Honoring Patient Safety: Infection Prevention Day

Posted on March 27, 2014December 27, 2024 by fuelmarketing

In honor of GI Nurses and Associates Appreciation Week, are observing and honoring today being all about patient safety. Granite Peaks goes above and beyond to ensure each and every patient is safe before, during and after their procedure and office consultation. The Granite Peaks Endoscopy Center is state-of-the-art and fully equipped with the latest equipment. This facility is one of Salt Lake’s most modern state-licensed, freestanding endoscopy facilities with five board-certified Gastroenterologists. The endoscopy center is also Medicare-certified and accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, which gave us its highest recommendation. Most importantly, our endoscopy center is designed not just for quality care but also for your safety, convenience, privacy, and comfort.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment at Granite Peaks Endoscopy Center and other locations, please call (801) 619-9000 or click here to request and appointment.

Gastroenterology On the Job: Why I Like What I Do

Posted on April 22, 2013December 27, 2024 by fuelmarketing

For the past four years Dawn Christiansen, RN, has been the Director of the Granite Peaks Endoscopy Center where she cares for dozens of patients each day who come in for gastrointestinal procedures, many of them involving colonoscopies.

What’s your role?
About 20 percent of my time is administrative work but the other 80 percent is clinical, which is why I’m here. Taking care of patients is what I love most about my job.

What is the best part of your job?
The people, not only the patients but the people I work with here—we’re like a family. With my patients, I like being able to comfort them and help put their minds at ease; many of them come in anxious and unsure about the procedures. My goal is to make their experience as pleasant as possible using my nursing skills as well as reassuring them. I like seeing the transformation of our patients from when they come in dreading the procedure and leave feeling like they are your best friend.

How do you know you are doing a good job?
On a daily basis patients tell me, “I didn’t want to be here but you made it the best it could absolutely be.” Our patient satisfaction survey rates our care 90 percent and above and the staff here is super experienced working together; our turn over is pretty much zero.”

What should every patient know when they come in here?
That we always put the patient first and our goal is to help them have the best experience possible. We also emphasize efficiency; we know the patients come in hungry and nervous and we don’t want them to have to wait. Patients need to know that it is not as bad as they think it is going to be; once they enter our doors, it is as smooth as silk.