Gastroenterology

Our physician(s) treat all symptoms and diseases related to the digestive organs and tract. Normal digestive activity can be described as:

Movement of material through the stomach and intestine (called motility)
Digestion and absorption of nutrients into the body
Removal of waste from the system

When a problem occurs at any of these stages, or you experience symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, heartburn, unexplained weight loss, bleeding, and/or abdominal pain, we suggest a visit with your doctor. Dr. Kousa has extensive training in diseases of the digestive tract, focusing on the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver.

In addition, Dr. Kousa provide screenings to detect serious diseases at their early stages, when they are most easily treated and managed. Colon cancer, for example, is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but early detection has drastically improved survival rates. With convenient locations in your backyard, we make it easy to get tested and receive the personal and expert care you deserve.

digestive services

Our physician(s) can detect, diagnose, and treat various digestive disorders such as:

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Food intolerance
Ulcers
Colorectal Polyps or Cancer
Gallstones
Hemochromatosis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Viral Liver Disease
Alcoholic Liver Disease
Intestinal Gas problems
Rectal complaints such as hemmorhoids or annal fissures

Diagnostics

After a personal consultation, Dr. Kousa will perform a physical examination and conduct some diagnostic tests to evaluate a patient's digestive health. Our physicians use safe, effective, and non-invasive procedures such as:

Endoscopy: Physicians gain a clear, detailed view of a patient digestive tract by using a long, thin, flexible tube with a tiny video camera on the end. This procedure, more precise than an X-ray and usually painless, allows other instruments to be passed through to immediately remove growths or polyps. Patients receiving this treatment may avoid surgery or receive a more precise diagnosis for a specific surgery that may need to be performed in the future. Specific types of endoscopic procedures include:
Colonoscopy: In addition to serving as a diagnostic tool for the colon, a colonoscopy is an important detection method for colon cancer and a routine treatment for polyps.
Gastroscopy: Examines the esophagus and stomach and is important for detecting and preventing permanent damage due to reflux diseases.
Sigmoidoscopy: Similar to a colonoscopy, the doctor uses a sigmoidoscope to screen the lower part of the large bowel.
Fecal occult blood text (FOBT): Our advanced labs test stool for the presence of blood invisible to the eye. This is a recommended annual test for screening cancer in beginning in people 50 years or older.
Barium enema: Sometimes used as a substitute for colonoscopy, this X-ray examination of the entire colon and rectum detects lumps, polyps, or abnormalities.