Wellstar Digestive Health

The start of your journey to better health: tests for prevention and detection

Wellstar offers a complete line of tests and procedures to detect and diagnose digestive health issues. A timely, accurate diagnosis is the first step in getting you the treatment you need to address your symptoms and, often, prevent your condition from progressing to something more serious.

Included in these tests are screening exams for colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers found in both men and women in the U.S.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force has recommended that screening for anyone who is at average risk should start earlier at age 45, instead of age 50. The change is due to the rising incidence of colon cancer in younger patients. According to the American Cancer Society, of all cancer deaths in people under age 50, colorectal cancer is now No. 1 in men and No. 2 in women.

It’s best to talk with your doctor about when to begin screening and what type of screening test to have.

Key diagnostic and screening tests we offer include:

Barium enema

A barium enema is a type of X-ray exam that allows doctors to see the lower portion of your gastrointestinal tract with the aid of a special liquid that is introduced into your rectum.

Capsule endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy is a test in which you swallow a special pill with a built-in wireless camera. As the pill moves through your digestive tract, it takes pictures that are transmitted to a recording device you wear on your waist. The capsule is especially helpful for viewing areas of your small intestine that aren’t easily visible with other tests. After it moves through your digestive tract, it passes naturally from your body.

Colonoscopy

During a colonoscopy, a thin flexible tube with a tiny video camera on its tip is passed through your rectum into your colon (large intestine). By viewing the images transmitted to a monitor, doctors can identify problems in the colon, including colon cancer and colon polyps. Polyps are growths that are often harmless but can sometimes turn into cancer. During a colonoscopy, doctors can remove polyps, which may prevent cancer from developing. If you do have cancer, early detection and treatment often leads to better outcomes.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

ERCP involves passing a thin tube called an endoscope via the esophagus into the duodenum, the portion of your small intestine just beyond your stomach. The endoscope contains a camera that enables doctors to view the area. It also makes it possible to inject a special dye that helps them see your bile and pancreatic ducts. With the aide of X-rays, doctors can identify stones, blockages or areas of narrowing during this procedure.

Endoscopic ultrasound

Endoscopic ultrasound involves passing an endoscope (a thin flexible tube) down your throat. A special tool on the tip of the tube produces sound waves that are translated into images of your digestive tract.

Esophageal manometry

Esophageal manometry involves a tube that’s placed in your nose and down your esophagus. It helps determine how well your esophagus is working and is helpful in evaluating problems related to swallowing and heartburn.

Esophageal pH monitoring

Esophageal pH monitoring allows doctors to track how often stomach acid enters your esophagus and how long it remains there. This test involves a tube with a monitor that’s passed through your nose or mouth, or a monitoring device that’s placed in your esophagus.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a test much like colonoscopy, but it examines only the lower portion of the colon.

Hydrogen breath test

A hydrogen breath test involves analyzing your breath for certain gases, including hydrogen. It can help us determine if you have problems such as lactose intolerance or an overgrowth of bacteria in your small intestine.

Upper endoscopy

Upper endoscopy is performed by passing a thin flexible tube called an endoscope with a camera on its tip down the esophagus. Images are transmitted to a monitor, allowing doctors to visualize your upper digestive tract. In some cases, doctors pass special tools through the endoscope that allow them to treat certain conditions during the procedure.

Virtual colonoscopy

Virtual colonoscopy is an option for colorectal cancer screening in some people. It uses a CT scan to create detailed images of the inside of your colon and rectum. However, if the test identifies suspicious areas, it’s not possible to remove the growths during the procedure as it is with a traditional colonoscopy.