Patients
Information for Patients
Gastrointestinal diseases affect close to 100 million Americans each year. These disorders range in cause from genetic, nutritional, and lifestyle. Typically gastrointestinal diseases are considered to be related to the digestive system.
The Digestive System
The digestive system is made up of the digestive tract—a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus—and other organs that help the body break down and absorb food.
Organs that make up the digestive tract are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine—also called the colon—rectum, and anus. The liver and the pancreas, produce digestive juices that reach the intestine through small tubes called ducts. The gallbladder stores the liver’s digestive juices until they are needed in the intestine.
Gastrointestinal and Liver Disorders
Some of diseases and disorders that affect the gastrointestinal and digestive system include:
- Appendicitis
- Barrett’s Esophagus
- Celiac Disease
- Crohn’s Disease
- Gastritis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) / Heartburn
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Pancreatitis
- Liver Disease
- Hepatitis C
Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders
At UAB, we are able to use the most current diagnostic and treatment procedures when treating gastroenterological and liver related ailments.
We also utilize the services of the expert physicians in the UAB Liver Center, the Pancreatiobiliary Center, and the EUS program to accurately diagnose and treat these disorders.
If you would like to make an appointment with one of our experts, please call (205) 996-4744.
