Tests and Procedures performed by Dr. Dipti Bavishi

Below are some of the most common tests performed by Dr. Bavishi. If other tests are recommended by Dr. Bavishi to diagnose or treat a condition, more information concerning those procedures will be provided at that time.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy allows a physician to examine the interior of the lower gastrointestinal tract, specifically the colon and rectum. This procedure is an extremely helpful tool that can be used for the diagnosis or treatment of many conditions including gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, tumors, abdominal pain, weight loss, and changes in bowel habits. A colonoscopy is also very important in the detection of the early signs of colon cancer, which is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States – over 50,000 people die from colon cancer every year. Colon cancer, however, is extremely preventable and treatable if found early. Many of these incidents could have been prevented with regular colonoscopy screenings that could have picked up early indications of colon cancer such as polyps. As such, we recommend regular colonoscopy screenings for asymptomatic individuals at and above the age of 50 or earlier in people who have family history of colon cancer. Also, the American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) has recommended earlier screening of African-Americans starting at age 45 due to increasing propensity of right sided colon cancer in this group.  Before performing a colonoscopy, some preparations are required prior to the date of the procedure. The specific preparations required by Dr. Bavishi can be found here.

For More Information: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonoscopy/index.htm

Upper GI Endoscopy

An upper GI endoscopy, also known as an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), allows for the examination of the upper GI tract, specifically the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. This procedure is a useful tool that can help diagnose conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett’s esophagus, and ulcers. It can also be used to take biopsies of tissue that can be further analyzed. Before performing an endoscopy, there may be requirements prior to the date of the procedure. The specific preparations required by Dr. Bavishi can be found here.

For More Information: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/upperendoscopy/index.htm

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure like a colonoscopy, but it does not allow a physician to see all of colon. Rather, only the rectum and sigmoid colon can be examined. As such, a colonoscopy, which allows for the examination of the rectum and the entire colon, is usually the preferred procedure for diagnosis or treatment of gastrointestinal conditions unless rare circumstances require a flexible sigmoidoscopy to be performed.

For More Information: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/sigmoidoscopy/index.htm

Non-Invasive Hemorrhoid Treatment

Hemorrhoids are inflamed or swollen veins in the anal canal and can be very uncomfortable and painful. Symptoms of hemorrhoids include rectal bleeding, rectal pain or discomfort, swollen rectal region, and rectal itching. There are several causes of hemorrhoids including constipation, improper nutrition, abdominal straining, and age. For many but not all individuals, there are options available to treat hemorrhoids non-invasively and without surgery. Dr. Bavishi would be more than happy to discuss these options with you in a consultation and help you decide what is most appropriate for you.

H. Pylori Breath Test

H. pylori is a prevalent bacteria that can infect humans. Infections of this bacterium are widespread globally and can cause peptic ulcers. By some estimates, H. pylori causes up to half of peptic ulcers worldwide. Peptic ulcers cause abdominal pain or discomfort and its traits are very variable. Symptoms after infection can include nausea, vomiting, bloating, and loss of appetite. H. pylori can be dormant for years in humans so symptoms of infection can occur long after H. pylori has entered the human body. To diagnose H. pylori infection, a urea breath test can be performed. In this test, you swallow a liquid that contains marked carbon molecules in a urea compound. You wait for several minutes and then you breathe into a container. Because H. pylori contains an enzyme that breaks down the ingested urea into carbon dioxide and other compounds, if your breath contains the marked carbon molecules in the carbon dioxide then it is likely that you possess an H. pylori infection.

For More Information: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/index.htm