Digestive Health Services Women’s Center
GI & Liver Conditions Treatment in Downers Grove, IL
The GI and Liver health for Women is of Digestive Health Services (DHS) most important priorities. Gastroenterologist Yapp, Clark, Chawla, & Dawravoo are dedicated to help patients in the treatment of special digestive and liver diseases involving women’s health including:
Gastroesophageal Relux (GERD)
Is a problem that many women first experience as heartburn during pregnancy. This is due to pregnancy hormones and the pressure from the growing fetus. Heartburn symptoms resolve in most of these women after delivery of the baby. If heartburn is infrequent, women can easily control symptoms with diet and lifestyle changes. However, long standing, persistent GERD can cause some serious problems. Digestive Health Services, has extensive experience in the treatment of GERD and its complications. DHS has been the principle investigators, and co-investigators in the treatment and cure of Barrett’s Esophagus, one of the most serious complications of GERD.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Is a condition that is three times more common in women than men. Symptoms often include chronic abdominal pain and/or discomfort and altered bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation). Although IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, it is not life threatening. DHS has physicians who are experts in the area of IBS, serving on national advisory boards, and giving lectures on the latest advances in treatment of IBS.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Is a chronic inflammatory disorder and a condition that often occurs during childbearing years. IBD encompasses two disorders, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease. Women with active Crohn’s disease can have difficulty with conception, and has been shown to have poorer pregnancy outcomes than healthy women. DHS continues to work closely with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) to assure the latest advances are available to our patients. Being part of the national TREAT STUDY for IBD, DHS has been dedicated to helping patients have the best outcome of this complex and challenging disease.
Gallstones
A condition that occurs in up to 20% of American women. Women 20 to 60 years old are three times more likely to develop gallstones than men. Although most women with gallstones have no symptoms of pain, women with symptomatic gallstones experience pain in the upper region of the abdomen and back, along with nausea and vomiting. The treatment for symptomatic gallstones is usually surgery to remove the gallbladder. DHS has treated and assisted in the treatment of thousands of patients with gallstones.
Colon Cancer Screening & Prevention
Is an important issue for both men and women. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the United States. Colon Cancer increases in prevalence after the age of 50, often without any warning signs or symptoms. Women at higher risk for colon cancer include those with family history of colon cancer, colon polyps and personal history of inflammatory bowel disease. Colorectal cancer is highly preventable. DHS has treated, screened, prevented, and cured thousands of patients at risk for colon cancer. It is estimated that 30,000 lives could be saved each year through awareness and screening.
Fecal Incontinence
Is a condition that is defined as either the involuntary passage or the inability to control the discharge of fecal matter through the anus. Although fecal incontinence affects people of all ages, its prevalence is disproportionately higher in women and in the elderly. DHS was the first practice in the area to treat incontinence with the new FDA-approved treatment using injectable medication, to increase anal-sphincter tone. DHS is also involved in teaching other physicians this new treatment of a difficult condition.
Hemorrhoids
Are present in everyone. Its is only when the hemorrhoidal cushions are enlarged that hemorrhoids can cause problems and be considered abnormal or a disease. Hemorrhoids that cause problems are equally in men and women and peaks between 45 and 65 years of age. Common cause of hemorrhoids are constipation and straining to have bowel movements; both situations can be alleviated by adding fiber to the diet. Pregnancy is a clear cause of hemorrhoids, as a women’s gastroenterology issue, as are pelvic tumors. DHS has a number of effective treatments for hemorrhoidal problems.
Liver Disease
There are many liver diseases that affect women more than men; other liver diseases, affect both sexes, but have different outcomes in women, sometimes more significant, than men. DHS have been principle investigators for many studies in liver disease, giving hundreds of lectures. The clinical research DHS has performed, has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Science and other leading medical journals. DHS has a long history of treating some of the most challenging liver disease patients.
