Digestive Health

When you experience heartburn, stomach pain or other digestive discomfort, turn to Avera for an accurate diagnosis and advanced gastrointestinal (GI) care.

Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Care

Rely on Avera for the full spectrum of digestive health services. Whether you’re ready to schedule your colorectal cancer screening or you need attention for a specific digestive condition, you’ll benefit from our multidisciplinary approach known as the Avera Digestive Disease Institute. You receive expert consultation and care from our board-certified gastroenterologists and a wide range of related specialists.

Digestive Disorders & Conditions We Treat

Find skilled care at Avera for conditions that affect your digestive health, including disorders of the:

• Colon – Clostridium difficile (C. diff), Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, various forms of colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), dysmotility
• Esophagus – Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD), Barrett’s esophagitis, hiatal hernia, swallowing disorders, esophageal varices
• Gallbladder and bile duct – Gallstones, acute gallbladder swelling/irritation, gallbladder disease, bile duct diseases/injury/stricture or cancer
• Liver – Hepatitis, cysts, cirrhosis, cancer, peritonitis, amyloidosis, alcoholic liver disease, autoimmune liver disease, benign lesions, Byler’s disease, fatty liver
• Pancreas – Pancreatitis (acute, chronic), pancreatic cyst, pseudocyst (IPMN, MCN)
• Rectum and anus – Abscess, dysplasia, fissures, fistula, stenosis (narrowing), anorectal disease, colorectal endometriosis, fecal incontinence, internal hemorrhoids, pelvic floor dysfunction, inflammation of the lining of the rectum, rectal bleeding or prolapse, rectal ulcer
• Small bowel – Celiac disease, constipation, diarrhea, dysmotility, gastroenteritis, GI bleeding, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance, malabsorption, obstructions, perforation, stoma complications, intestinal pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie’s syndrome), Whipple’s disease, vitamin or mineral deficiency
• Stomach – Peptic disorders, dyspepsia, digestive gas, enlarged blood vessels (gastric varices), indigestion, heartburn, ulcers and H. pylori, gastritis, malnutrition, upper abdominal pain
• Tumors of the GI tract – Benign and malignant tumors, Bowen’s and Paget’s disease, stromal tumors, granulomas, polyps, hemangioma, adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH)

Visit our online health library to explore digestive disorders in detail.

Digestive Health Services & Treatments

Choose Avera for the extensive diagnostic services and skilled treatments that help us evaluate and address your particular situation. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, you may benefit from any or a combination of these options:

• Laboratory tests – Fecal occult blood test (FOBT), stool culture, blood testing
• Imaging tests – Barium beefsteak meal, colorectal transit study, computed tomography (CT) scan, lower GI series (barium enema), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), swallowing study, ultrasound, upper GI series (barium swallow), gastric emptying study
• Endoscopic procedures – Colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD or upper endoscopy), sigmoidoscopy, Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
• Other procedures, which might include motility or manometry studies, pH monitoring, dietary changes, medications or surgery

Take advantage of our health library to learn more about digestive diagnostic procedures that help us evaluate and treat your condition.

Innovation & Integrated Care

You’ll also benefit from our dedication to innovative digestive care. Each week, a team of physicians from multiple medical specialties meets to review cases, share knowledge, explore treatment options and develop custom treatment plans. That means you get integrated clinical care that incorporates the newest, research-driven treatment options.

Confidential, Compassionate Environment

Conversations about digestive health and gut-related issues can be awkward. When you work with Avera’s Digestive Disease Institute, you’ll appreciate your care team’s efforts to help you feel comfortable at each visit.

Multidisciplinary Digestive Health Team

Enjoy seamless care from specialists who collaborate to provide the best outcome for you. Depending on your digestive condition, your team may include:

• Gastroenterologist – Treats conditions affecting the digestive tract
• Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner – Assists with treatment under the guidance of a physician
• Genetic counselor – Helps you discover and understand your risk for an inherited medical condition
• Hepatologist – Specializes in caring for the liver, gallbladder and pancreas
• Oncologist – Specializes in treating cancer
• Pathologist – Helps your doctor make a diagnosis by interpreting biopsies and lab tests
• Radiologist – Offers imaging expertise
• Social worker – Connects you with community resources after an inpatient stay
• Surgeon (colorectal) – Treats conditions affecting the large intestine
• Urogynecologist – Diagnoses and treats women’s pelvic floor conditions

Gastrointestinal Patient Navigators

If you experience gastrointestinal cancer, such as colorectal cancer, you’ll value the additional layer of support and guidance you receive from our gastrointestinal Patient Navigators at Avera Cancer Institute Sioux Falls. Count on these certified nurse practitioners (CNP) to coordinate your care, answer your questions and provide emotional and social support. For more information, call 888-422-1410.

Colon Cancer Resources

Learn more about colorectal cancer topics in our health library.