Gastroenterology – Doral Health & Wellness NY

Paracentesis

nzfro — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 21:21:39 +0000

What is Paracentesis?

Paracentesis is a medical procedure used to remove excess fluid, called ascites, from the abdominal cavity. Ascites often develops in people with advanced liver disease, heart failure, or certain cancers. During the procedure, a thin needle or catheter is inserted into the abdomen, usually under ultrasound guidance, to safely drain the fluid. Paracentesis is not only diagnostic, helping doctors analyze the fluid for infections or cancer cells, but also therapeutic, providing relief from discomfort caused by swelling and pressure.

This procedure helps to:

Relieve abdominal swelling and pressure.
Improve breathing and mobility in patients with severe ascites.
Diagnose infection, cancer, or other causes of fluid buildup.
Reduce discomfort such as bloating or pain.
Guide long-term management of liver or heart conditions.

What to expect after Paracentesis?

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and typically takes less than an hour. Patients may feel immediate relief from discomfort once the fluid is drained. Recovery is quick, but monitoring is required afterward, especially if large volumes of fluid are removed.

Mild tenderness at the insertion site.
Bandage applied to prevent leakage.
Noticeable relief from pressure and bloating.
Patients can usually return home the same day.
Follow-up testing may be required to analyze the fluid.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

Isael Roque — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 21:17:01 +0000

What is Flexible Sigmoidoscopy?

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure used to visualize the rectum and the lower portion of the colon (sigmoid colon). It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera through the rectum. This test is often performed to screen for colorectal cancer, evaluate rectal bleeding, or diagnose conditions such as diverticulosis and inflammatory bowel disease. Unlike a full colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy examines only the lower colon, making it shorter and often requiring less preparation.

This procedure helps to:

Screen for colorectal cancer.
Detect and remove small polyps.
Diagnose inflammation, ulcers, or diverticulosis.
Investigate rectal bleeding or changes in bowel habits.
Monitor inflammatory bowel disease in the lower colon.

What to expect after Flexible Sigmoidoscopy?

Preparation is less intensive than colonoscopy, often involving enemas instead of a full bowel prep. Sedation is not always required. After the procedure, mild cramping or bloating may occur, but patients usually recover quickly and can return to normal activities.

Minimal preparation compared to colonoscopy.
Sedation may not be necessary.
Slight cramping or bloating possible afterward.
Patients can often resume daily activities immediately.
Results are available soon after the procedure.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

nzfro — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 20:17:44 +0000

What is EGD?

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), also called upper endoscopy, is a diagnostic and sometimes therapeutic procedure in which a thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth and down the throat. It allows direct visualization of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. EGD is commonly performed to investigate symptoms such as persistent heartburn, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, unexplained nausea, or gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition to diagnosing conditions, EGD can be used to take tissue biopsies, remove foreign objects, treat bleeding, or dilate narrowed areas.

This procedure helps to:

Detect ulcers, inflammation, or bleeding.
Identify tumors, strictures, or blockages.
Evaluate chronic GERD symptoms.
Obtain biopsies for infection or cancer testing.
Provide therapeutic interventions such as dilation or bleeding control.

What to expect after EGD?

The procedure is performed under sedation to ensure comfort. Patients may experience mild throat soreness afterward, which usually resolves quickly. Because of sedation, patients should plan for rest and avoid driving for the remainder of the day.

Sedation ensures a pain-free experience.
Mild throat irritation afterward is common.
Resume light meals after recovery unless instructed otherwise.
Rest is recommended for the remainder of the day.
A companion should accompany patients home.

Esophageal Manometry

nzfro — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 20:02:05 +0000

What is Esophageal Manometry?

Esophageal manometry is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate how well the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach, is working. During the test, a thin, flexible catheter with sensors is gently passed through the nose, down the throat, and into the esophagus. These sensors record pressure changes as you swallow sips of water. The test helps doctors assess the strength, coordination, and rhythmic contractions of esophageal muscles, as well as the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). It is particularly useful in diagnosing swallowing disorders, unexplained chest pain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

This procedure helps to:

Diagnose swallowing difficulties and motility disorders.
Assess the function of the lower esophageal sphincter.
Investigate unexplained chest pain.
Evaluate patients with GERD or suspected achalasia.
Guide treatment decisions before anti-reflux surgery.

What to expect after Esophageal Manometry?

The test is usually performed without sedation. Patients may feel slight discomfort as the catheter passes through the nose and throat, but the sensation is temporary. Normal activities can typically be resumed immediately after the procedure.

Brief throat or nasal irritation is common.
No restrictions on eating or drinking afterward.
Return to work or daily activities the same day.
Results are reviewed with a specialist.
Minimal downtime compared to other procedures.

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

nzfro — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:43:10 +0000

What is Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)?

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) is a diagnostic technique that uses a flexible endoscope with a built-in ultrasound probe. The device is inserted through the mouth into the digestive tract, where it generates detailed images of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, bile ducts, and nearby lymph nodes. EUS is highly valued for evaluating tumors, staging cancers, and guiding fine-needle aspiration biopsies. It provides more precise imaging than standard ultrasound or CT scans because the probe is positioned close to the organs of interest.

This procedure helps to:

Evaluate pancreatic and bile duct abnormalities.
Stage cancers of the digestive tract.
Assess submucosal lesions or growths.
Guide biopsies of tumors or lymph nodes.
Provide high-resolution imaging not available with other tests.

What to expect after Endoscopic Ultrasound?

EUS is performed under sedation. Patients may experience a sore throat or bloating afterward, but recovery is usually fast. If a biopsy is taken, some mild discomfort may persist for a short time.

Sedation ensures comfort during the procedure.
Mild sore throat or bloating afterward.
Normal activities may resume later the same day.
Results discussed with the physician once available.
Slight dietary restrictions if biopsies are performed.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

nzfro — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:39:08 +0000

What is ERCP?

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a complex procedure that combines endoscopy and fluoroscopy (X-ray imaging) to examine the bile ducts, pancreatic ducts, and gallbladder. A flexible scope is inserted through the mouth, reaching the small intestine where dye is injected into the ducts to visualize them on X-ray. ERCP not only diagnoses problems such as stones, strictures, or tumors but can also treat them by removing stones, placing stents, or dilating narrowed ducts. It is typically performed by gastroenterologists with advanced training.

This procedure helps to:

Detect and remove gallstones blocking bile ducts.
Diagnose narrowing or strictures of bile or pancreatic ducts.
Identify tumors or cysts affecting bile drainage.
Place stents to relieve obstruction.
Treat infections related to blocked bile flow.

What to expect after ERCP?

Patients are sedated for comfort during ERCP. Afterward, a short recovery period is required. Some patients may experience mild throat soreness or bloating. Because ERCP can involve therapeutic interventions, recovery instructions vary depending on what was done.

Sedation ensures a comfortable experience.
Mild sore throat or bloating may occur.
Observation for a few hours after the test.
Most patients go home the same day.
Recovery instructions provided based on treatment performed.

Colonoscopy

nzfro — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:13:20 +0000

What is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a widely used diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in which a long, flexible tube with a camera (colonoscope) is inserted through the rectum to inspect the entire colon. It enables doctors to detect abnormalities such as polyps, inflammation, tumors, or ulcers. Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colon cancer screening because it not only identifies suspicious growths but also allows for their removal during the same procedure. It is commonly recommended for patients with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, family history of colon cancer, or positive stool tests.

This procedure helps to:

Detect and remove colon polyps.
Screen for colorectal cancer.
Investigate causes of rectal bleeding.
Diagnose inflammatory bowel disease.
Evaluate unexplained abdominal pain or chronic diarrhea.

What to expect after a Colonoscopy?

Preparation for colonoscopy typically involves dietary restrictions and a bowel-cleansing solution to clear the colon. Sedation is administered for comfort during the procedure. Afterward, patients may feel bloated or gassy due to air introduced into the colon, but recovery is usually quick.

Sedation makes the procedure comfortable.
Temporary bloating or cramping after completion.
Return to light activities the same day.
Results are often discussed immediately.
A responsible adult should accompany patients home.

Capsule Endoscopy

nzfro — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 18:48:01 +0000

What is Capsule Endoscopy?

Capsule endoscopy is an advanced diagnostic procedure that uses a pill-sized capsule equipped with a tiny wireless camera. After swallowing the capsule, it travels naturally through the digestive system, capturing thousands of images that are transmitted to a recorder worn by the patient. This allows doctors to examine areas of the small intestine that are not easily accessible with traditional endoscopy or colonoscopy. Capsule endoscopy is particularly valuable for diagnosing obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn’s disease, tumors, and unexplained abdominal pain.

This procedure helps to:

Detect bleeding sources in the small intestine.
Identify Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel conditions.
Evaluate unexplained abdominal pain or anemia.
Detect small tumors or polyps missed by other tests.
Provide non-invasive imaging without sedation.

What to expect after Capsule Endoscopy?

The test is simple: patients swallow the capsule with water, wear a recording device for 8–12 hours, and go about their normal daily activities. The capsule passes naturally in the stool within 1–2 days.

Painless ingestion of a small capsule.
Ability to continue light daily activities.
Fasting required before the procedure.
No need for anesthesia or sedation.
Capsule expelled naturally without discomfort.

Barium Enema

nzfro — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 18:42:43 +0000

What is a Barium Enema?

A barium enema, also called a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series, is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the colon and rectum for abnormalities. During the procedure, liquid barium sulfate (a contrast dye) is introduced into the colon through the rectum. The barium coats the lining of the intestine, allowing it to be clearly visible on X-ray images. In some cases, air may also be introduced (a double-contrast enema) to improve detail. This test helps detect polyps, diverticula, tumors, strictures, and inflammatory conditions. Although colonoscopy is more commonly used today, barium enema remains useful in specific cases.

This procedure helps to:

Detect colon polyps and growths.
Identify diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
Evaluate bowel obstruction or narrowing.
Screen for colon cancer when colonoscopy is not available.
Assess structural changes in the large intestine.

What to expect after a Barium Enema?

The test requires some bowel preparation, usually laxatives or enemas the night before, to clear the colon. During the procedure, patients may feel fullness or cramping as the barium and air fill the colon. Afterward, stools may appear white or light until the barium fully passes.

Temporary bloating or cramping during the test.
White-colored stools for 1–2 days after.
Normal activities can resume the same day.
Results reviewed by a radiologist.
Hydration encouraged to flush out barium.

Anorectal Manometry

nzfro — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 18:38:51 +0000

What is Anorectal Manometry?

Anorectal manometry is a specialized diagnostic procedure that evaluates the strength and coordination of the muscles in the rectum and anus. A small, flexible catheter with sensors is inserted into the rectum to record pressure changes as the patient relaxes, squeezes, or pushes. The test provides essential information about how these muscles function during bowel movements. It is commonly used to diagnose conditions such as chronic constipation, fecal incontinence, or pelvic floor dysfunction. By identifying abnormalities in muscle tone and nerve response, anorectal manometry helps physicians design personalized treatment strategies.

This procedure helps to:

Diagnose chronic constipation related to muscle dysfunction.
Evaluate causes of fecal incontinence.
Identify pelvic floor disorders affecting bowel movements.
Guide treatment planning, including biofeedback therapy.
Monitor progress in patients undergoing therapy for bowel disorders.

What to expect after Anorectal Manometry?

The test is quick, minimally invasive, and does not require sedation. Patients may feel slight pressure during catheter placement but no significant pain. Normal activity can be resumed immediately afterward.

Mild pressure or discomfort during the test.
No lasting side effects after completion.
Results available shortly after analysis.
No dietary restrictions after the procedure.
Outpatient, same-day return to normal activities.