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Gastroenterology is the field of medicine that diagnoses and treats conditions of the stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, liver, small intestines, colon, rectum, and the ducts between the organs. La Peer Health Systems' Gastroenterology Department has a team of expert gastroenterologists and surgeons to diagnose, treat, and follow up on your GI condition so you can make the most of life. In addition to our highly-trained doctors, we have a team of highly-trained nurses to provide health care and ensure that you are comfortable at all times. There are many GI symptoms and GI conditions treated by our team. The focus of our Gastroenterology Department is to treat chronic digestive conditions and perform non-emergency procedures including: Gastrointestinal Conditions and Symptoms:
GI Procedures: If you are interested in investigating any of the procedures that are part of the La Peer Health Systems Digestive Disease Program, please contact us here. You may also reach us by phone, please call (310) 360-9119 and ask to speak with the Department of Gastroenterology, or contact any of our physicians directly (see list of physicians on the right hand side of this page). There are millions of people in the world who are experiencing gastrointestinal problems that range from heartburn, indigestion, ulcer, diarrhea, gas, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These problems can cause discomfort and may be frustrating. These problems affect both men and women of all ages, though they are more common in women. Acute problems can be treated easily and changes to lifestyles are usually recommended for these. Gastrointestinal problems will have disorders in particular organs that include intestines, stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, liver and the leading ducts between organs. Gastrointestinal problems may cause an extensive array of symptoms and assessment of a physician is important to identify the causes of the problems. Abdominal Pain: Abdominal pain is a symptom that easily alerts you that something is not working properly. Subsequently, it is a symptom of many different conditions. It can be associated something less serious, such as gas, or a more serious condition like Crohn's disease or cancer. It is also important to note that what may feel like abdominal pain may not actually be from the abdomen. It is very common that what feels like abdominal pain is actually from the upper portion of the torso. Bloating: Bloating is the distention of the abdomen and an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. Bloating can occur as a result of excess gas, after a large meal, lactose intolerance, wheat intolerance, constipation, consumption of carbonated beverages, and as a side effect of medications. Generally bloating is not a serious condition, but if it is associated with other symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical treatment. If you have a medical condition, such as Crohn's disease, it is recommended to seek medical treatment because it can be a symptom of a blockage. Blood in Stools: Blood in stools can either been seen by the naked eye or not seen. When it is not visible to the eye, it is called "occult blood." In this case, it must be tested for in a laboratory. Blood in the stools generally indicates a bowel disorder and must be treated by a physician. Bowel Changes: Bowel changes are a very common symptom of digestive disease. An increase in the occurrence of constipation and/or diarrhea can indicate an underlying bowel condition. Other stool changes include bloody stools, mucous-filled stools, and unusual color. A change in the consistency of stools, along with other symptoms, can be indicative of a bowel disease. Constipation: Constipation is when the frequency of stools has decreased and they are harder to pass. Abdominal pain and gas are often associated with constipation. Constipation is often a side effect of certain medications and a diet lacking in fiber. Diarrhea: An increase in frequency of bowel movements and the discharge of loose, watery stools. A person with diarrhea may also experience abdominal cramps and nausea. Diarrhea is a common symptom associated with the flu and food poisoning. Diarrhea is also a common side effect of antibiotics. In which case, the diarrhea should go away with time. If the diarrhea is unexplained, then it is time to seek medical treatment as it could be caused by a bacterial infection, parasite, or a bowel disorder. Gas: People who have gastrointestinal problems may experience uncontrollable or frequent gas. Gas is often a side effect when the digestive tract cannot properly digest the contents. Dairy intolerance, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and celiac disease may cause excessive and painful flatulence. Gas can also be released through belching. Constant belching can occur after drinking fermented beverages, carbonated beverages, or fibrous foods. Heartburn/Indigestion: Heartburn, or acid indigestion, is caused by the rising of excess stomach acid and is a very common condition in adults. Heartburn is the feeling of a sour taste in the mouth, pain and burning in the chest. Fatty foods, spicy foods and alcoholic drinks are known to increase the amount of stomach acid present in the stomach. Heartburn can often be treated through lifestyle and dietary changes. Those who experience heartburn even after modifications to lifestyle and dietary may have a gastrointestinal disorder called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Those with GERD will experience constant heartburn, bad taste, and indigestion. Nausea/Vomiting: Nausea is the uncomfortable feeling of queasiness one feels before vomiting. One can feel nauseous without vomiting. Vomiting is expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. It is very common for one to continue vomiting even after the stomach contents have been emptied. This is known as "dry heaving." Vomiting and nausea are symptoms of many conditions including, pregnancy, food poisoning, motion sickness, ulcers, gallstones, heart attack, the flu, cancers, and intense pain. Because nausea and vomiting are symptoms of many conditions, it is best to seek medical treatment. Unexplained Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss occurs when you have lost ten pounds or more without trying, when it is persistent, or you have lost more than 5% of your bodyweight. Unintended weight loss can indicate an underlying condition including peptic ulcers, cancer, and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease, Celiac disease, or ulcerative colitis. Yellowing of the Eyes or Skin: Yellowing of the skin or eyes indicates a condition known as jaundice. Jaundice is when the liver is not properly filtering the dead red blood cells out of the blood and converting them into a waste product known as bilirubin. Normally, a red blood cells die and are easily replaced. When jaundice occurs either the liver simply cannot process the normal amount of red blood cells into bilirubin, there are too many red blood cells dying, or the liver cannot get rid of the bilirubin. It is very important to seek medical treatment, as this is a symptom of a life threatening medical condition. Other symptoms that often occur with jaundice are the darkening of urine and light-colored stools. Complaints associated to digestive system usually occur in an ambulatory clinic setting. The uneasiness or discomfort can be stress or diet or psychogenic related. It is possible for such systematic disease to manifest as gastrointestinal symptoms. The majority of problems tend to overlap with organic and functional causes. The following are the major causes of gastrointestinal problems. Diagnosing gastrointestinal problems will vary according to the type of gastrointestinal disorder. Usually, the symptoms, medical history and physical examination of patients will be the basis of the diagnosis. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS): It is not easy to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease and it is usually mistaken for uncomfortable bowel syndrome. An irritable bowel syndrome does not demonstrate the inflammation that is typical to ulcerative colitis and Crohn's diseases. The diagnosis for IBS is performed according to the symptoms, physical examination and medical history of the person. Diarrhea: Apart from asking about the medical history, performing physical examination and testing routine urine, stool and blood tests, the physician may recommend colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy test for a case of diarrhea. Indigestion: The physician is likely to ask about the symptoms of indigestion, any taken medication and the lifestyle of the patient. The GP may further perform other examinations like pressing gently some areas of the body to know whether or not it is painful. Hemorrhoids: This disorder is diagnosed by performing a rectal examination. For internal hemorrhoids, a physician will insert an anoscope. The entire rectum will be examined by using a proctoscope. Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy can also be performed to examine the inner part of the colon and reveal other gastrointestinal bleeding causes. Celiac Disease: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the lining of the intestines is damaged through the consumption of gluten. When the body detects gluten, it damages the part of the intestines that absorbs nutrients from food. The damaged lining causes the body to become malnourished. Those with a family history of Celiac disease are more likely to develop the disease. Celiac disease is often difficult to diagnose. An upper GI endoscope or colonoscopy may be necessary to diagnose Celiac disease. Colon Cancer: Cancer in the large intestines also called the colon. It is the second most common cancer in the United States. It is slow growing and if it is caught early, it is very treatable. Colon cancer is screened for with colonoscopies. Colon Polyp: A polyp is a growth in the large intestines. They can vary in size and shape. While not all polyps are cancerous they are typically considered to be pre-cancerous growths because if they are not removed, they can lead to colon cancer. Polyps are often found during colonoscopies or upper GI endoscopies, so it is necessary to schedule one with your doctor. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): A condition where the contents of the stomach leak from the stomach to the esophagus. The muscle that closes the esophagus to the stomach is weak and cannot properly keep the stomach contents down. This is the condition that causes heartburn for some people. GERD can also be brought on by certain medications, pregnancy, smoking, hiatal hernia, or obesity. Hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids occurs when blood vessels in the rectum are swollen and pushed towards the surface. There are two types of hemorrhoids, internal and external. External are closer to the rectal opening and internal are at the top of the rectum. Common symptoms of hemorrhoids are anal itching, pain, minor bleeding during bowel movements, lumps on the anus, and pain during bowel movements. Hemorrhoids are very common during pregnancy. This condition is diagnosed by performing a rectal examination. For internal hemorrhoids, a physician will insert an endoscope. The entire rectum will be examined by using a proctoscope. Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy can also be performed to examine the inner part of the colon and reveal other gastrointestinal bleeding causes. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Inflammatory bowel diseases are diseases in which the bowels are inflamed. Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and diverticulitis are common inflammatory bowel diseases. The cause of inflammatory bowel disease is unknown at this time. Inflammatory bowel diseases are often identified after suffering from abdominal cramping, bloody stools, bloody diarrhea, constipation, unexplained weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, or loss of appetite. Diagnosing an inflammatory bowel disease is sometimes a timely process because many of the symptoms of IBDs are similar to other conditions. They are not easy conditions to diagnose. The gastroenterologist will take a detailed medical history and note the symptoms. A physical examination is necessary to check for inflammation in the intestines. Stool samples may also be necessary to check for blood and microbes. Blood tests are also necessary to check for white blood counts, mineral levels, and red blood counts. One important fact is those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) do not experience the inflammation that is typical with inflammatory bowel diseases. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Irritable bowel syndrome a functional bowel disorder, which means that the function of the digestive tract is impaired. A person may experience abdominal bloating, pain and gas, mucus in stool. Irregular bowel sufferers often experience constipation, diarrhea or both. Lactose Intolerance: Lactose intolerance is where the digestive tract cannot properly break down the enzymes in dairy products. Lactose intolerance is not a life-threatening condition. It causes discomfort after consuming diary products. Liver cirrhosis: Liver cirrhosis is when the liver becomes damaged and scarred, and it cannot function properly. This condition is associated with liver disease. Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. Peptic Ulcers: Peptic ulcers are ulcers located in the stomach or the duodenum. The duodenum is the beginning part of the small intestines. Ulcer: An ulcer is a small hole or erosion in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. An upper GI endoscopy is often performed to see if an ulcer is present. Viral Hepatitis: Hepatitis is the condition where the liver is inflamed. The liver can be inflamed from a virus. The most common viral liver infections are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Viral hepatitis is the most common reason for liver transplants and the leading cause of liver cancer. There are a number of problems that usually affect the gastrointestinal tract. A few of them are often short lived; however, they cause discomfort and usually distressing. A lot of problems that affect the gastrointestinal tract can be resolved by improving the lifestyle and following doctor's prescriptions. Diarrhea: This disorder is treated while ensuring that dehydration will not happen again and decrease the rate of food movement through the bowel. Constipation: The main goal of treating constipation is to make some improvements in the bowel movement. This is made possible by taking in laxatives. Laxatives come in different types. Indigestion: Treating this disorder will vary according to its symptoms. Its treatment is aimed at removing the excess acid. Here are several ways to do this. These are some of the most common procedures at La Peer Health Systems. We focus on minimally invasive surgeries, non-emergency surgeries, and diagnostic procedures. Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is a diagnostic and cancer screening procedure where a flexible endoscope is inserted through the anus to view the entire large intestine, which is between 4 and 5 feet long. The bowels are emptied prior to the procedure so your doctor can easily view the walls of the colon. This way, they can easily spot inflammation, polyps, or ulcers. The entire procedure is a relatively short procedure and should take about 45 minutes. Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Sigmoidoscopies are very similar to colonoscopies, but they do not view as much of the large intestine as a colonoscopy. Sigmoidoscopies view the sigmoid colon, also known as the descending colon, which is where most cancer develops. The doctor can also remove polyps or take a biopsy during this procedure. Polypectomy: A polypectomy is the removal of a colon polyp. Polyp removals are typically done during a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy and are simple procedures. If polyps are not removed, they can eventually develop into colon cancer, so most doctors will remove a polyp during a colonoscopy. Upper Endoscopy (EGD): An upper endoscopy is a procedure where a flexible endoscope is inserted through the mouth to view the esophagus, stomach, and the duodenum (the beginning of the small intestines). It is typically used for diagnostic purposes. Capsule Endoscopy: Capsule endoscopy is a procedure where the patient simply swallows a capsule with a camera and a light in it. The capsule takes photos of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines. The patient wears a belt with a receiver in it to download the photos from the capsule. The next day, the patient will return to the doctor to download all the photos so the doctor can view the photos. This procedure is less invasive than traditional endoscopies with a tubal insertion. If you are interested in undergoing or investigating any of the procedures that are part of the La Peer Health Systems Digestive Disease Program, then we recommend you get in touch. You can fill out the form on our Contact LaPeer page, or alternative contact us via telephone: La Peer Surgery Center:(310) 360-9119 and ask to speak to one of the Doctors specializing in gastroenterology and digestive disease at the center:
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Dr. Tabib incorporates both health maintenance and disease prevention in his practice of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. readmore Dr. Khorrami is fuent in English, Farsi and Spanish. He enjoys art and poetry, and is active in sports, especially swimming and running. readmore Dr. Arash Ari Nowain is double board certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of Southern California, readmore Dr. Davidson received his medical degree from David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He then completed a three year residency program in internal medicine readmore Dr. Peyton Berookim is a digestive and liver disease specialist practicing in Beverly Hills. He completed three years of fellowship training (specialty) in Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases readmore Dr. Mehdizadeh is board certified in gastroenterology, internal medicine and nutrition. He obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) readmore Dr. Maurice Elihu is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Board of Gastroenterology. Dr. Elihu's main areas of interest are comprehensive evaluation of digestive disorders readmore Leo Treyzon, MD, MS is a gastroenterologist. He is an active member in four Centers of Excellence at Cedars Sinai: Weight Loss Center , Esophageal Disorders Center, readmore Stephen Yoo, M.D. is an Attending Surgeon at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. He is an active member of the teaching faculty readmore Liza M. Capiendo, M.D. is an Attending Physician at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Eiman Firoozmand, M.D. is an attending surgeon in the Division of Colorectal Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Farshid Sam Rahbaris the leading integrative gastroenterologistin Los Angeles, California.Dr. Rahbar incorporates anti-aging & functional readmore Gary H. Hoffman, M.D. is an Attending Surgeon and instructor in the Division of Colorectal Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, readmore |
Digestive disease can be severely disruptive to daily life. The digestive tract is very complex and there is a wide array of symptoms that can indicate disease. Gastric symptoms should be investigated, as they are often symptoms of underlying conditions.
