Medical Care for Gastrointestinal Disorders

Your digestive system is the pathway to wellness. So, when you start to experience symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diverticulitis, or ulcerative colitis, it’s wise to seek help.

Northwest Digestive Center is the leading digestive medicine center in the Inland Northwest. You’ll benefit from our comprehensive digestive medicine expertise and innovative treatments, delivered with compassion by providers who live right nearby, in our community. Let us help you take control of your gastrointestinal symptoms so you can lead your best life.

Care for gastrointestinal disorders in Post Falls

Our digestive health experts share a deep commitment in improving the well-being of people in Post Falls and the surrounding area. Inside our comprehensive gastrointestinal clinic, we offer comprehensive solutions for many gastrointestinal disorders, including:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

If you experience heartburn several times a week and antacids don’t help, consult with a gastrointestinal medical doctor. At the Northwest Digestive Center, we diagnose and manage gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can cause chronic heartburn, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing and other symptoms. We can help you determine which medications and lifestyle changes can promote healing and perform a screening endoscopy to ensure you don’t have precancerous changes from chronic reflux. If you need specialized surgical help, we can refer you to our integrated Foregut Program.

Barrett’s esophagus

Chronic acid reflux can cause changes to the lining of the esophagus, called Barrett’s esophagus. It’s considered a pre-cancerous condition, which means it requires constant surveillance to ensure it does not progress to cancer. People in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls with Barrett’s esophagus can find expert care for their condition at our comprehensive digestive center.

Gastritis and ulcers

Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) and ulcers (open sores inside the stomach or small intestine) have many causes. These can include bacterial infections, alcohol use, and even long-term use of some over-the-counter pain relievers. If gastritis or ulcers are not addressed properly, they can create tears or obstructions in your digestive tract. gastrointestinal medical doctors can identify the underlying causes for gastritis or ulcers and stop them from becoming more serious.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are two of the most frequently occuring types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). UC affects only the large intestines, while Crohn’s disease can affect any part of your digestive tract. Medications can help control the symptoms of IBD, which can include abdominal pain, fatigue, rectal bleeding, or weight loss. Diagnosing UC or Crohn’s takes expertise. Our team will review your medical history, perform lab tests or imaging studies as needed, and help you develop a personalized treatment plan.

Diarrhea

Having occasional diarrhea is common, but if it lasts for more than a few days without improvement, it’s time to see a doctor. Our digestive medicine specialists can help find the underlying cause of persistent diarrhea, whether it’s from a food allergy, food intolerance, infection or another condition. We can also offer diet and lifestyle recommendations that can help improve your overall digestive health.

Constipation

Sometimes, over-the-counter medications like stool softeners or laxatives can relieve mild constipation. However, for cases that last for several days or cause serious abdominal pain, medical help is recommended. At the Northwest Digestive Center, we’ll review your symptoms and assess whether certain changes, such as adding fiber supplements or adopting a high-fiber diet, could bring you relief.

Diverticulitis

The diverticula are small outpouchings within your colon wall. When they become infected, it can cause pain in the lower left side of your abdomen, along with fever, nausea, vomiting, and occasionally bleeding. Our gastrointestinal medical experts care for people in the Inland Northwest with diverticulitis. We provide diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up monitoring to reduce inflammation and ease the digestive pressure associated with the condition. In circumstances where there is a pattern of recurrence of complication, such as a diverticular abscess, our expert surgeons are available to offer definitive surgical care.

Clostridium difficile (C. diff)

Older adults and those who take antibiotics are at higher risk for C. diff, a type of bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea and inflammation of the colon (colitis). Inside our comprehensive gastrointestinal clinic, you’ll receive care from experts who can help you diagnose and treat C. diff infection and prevent it from happening again.

Dysphagia (swallowing problems, strictures, and Schatzki ring)

Our comprehensive gastrointestinal clinic offers treatment for multiple types of swallowing problems, also called dysphagia. These include narrowing of the esophagus or intestines (strictures), and a condition called Schatski ring, which occurs when a thin band of tissue constricts bottom of the eosphagus. Medications, dietary adjustments, stretch, control of acid and speech therapy can help provide relief. Endoscopic procedures aimed at dilating the esophagus to relieve obstructions are available.

Eosinophilic eophagitis (EoE)

EoE is assocated with swallowing problems. It can also cause you to feel like you have food stuck in your throat. A chronic condition affecting the immune system, eosinophilic esophagitis can be hard to diagnose. At the Northwest Digestive Center, we use state-of-the-art endoscopy and biopsy to diagnose EoE so we can treat it most effectively.

Motility disorders

When the muscles and nerves inside your digestive tract misfire, it can affect the way food moves through your body. Motility disorders include conditions like gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying), achalasia (failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax), and other esophageal conditions that can cause trouble swallowing or chest pain. Our gastrointestinal medical team is skilled at treating motility disorders and helping patients in North Idaho regulate digestive muscle contractions so you can regain your ability to swallow properly.

Celiac disease

If you experience diarrhea, constipation, or other gastrointestinal issues every time you eat starch, it’s possible that you have Celiac disease. Celiac is an autoimmune disorder that prevents your body from absorbing nutrients found in products made from wheat, barley, and rye. Count on our digestive medicine specialists to test you for Celiac disease and offer dietary and lifestyle recommendations that can help treat it.

Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori)

H. Pylori bacteria is linked to conditions like gastritis, peptic ulcers, and cancer. Often, H. Pylori will attack the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine. Expert diagnosis, treatment, and management from gastrointestinal medical experts can help resolve H. Pylori and restore your digestive wellness.

Why choose Northwest Digestive Center in Post Falls for gastrointestinal medical care?

For top-lead gastrointestinal medical care close to home, the Northwest Digestive Center is your destination. From the moment you walk into our friendly, spacious office, you’ll feel welcome. We take a patients-first approach, delivering an ideal patient experience carefully crafted to meet your expectations. Whether you’re from Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, or other areas, you’ll benefit from:

Leading-edge evaluations. Our team will use the latest tests to deliver the most accurate diagnosis for your gastrointestinal condition. We offer Bravo pH testing, esophageal manometry, and esophagram testing among other state-of-the-art tests. Learn more.

Access to fellowship-trained gastrointestinal surgeons. We will do everything possible to treat your gastrointestinal condition medically. However, if you need surgery, we can refer you to expert gastrointestinal surgeons right here in our integrated medical and surgical clinic. Our fellowship-trained surgeons have completed rigorous training in gastrointestinal diseases. Many procedures at our institute use minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery techniques that promote faster healing and quicker recovery. Meet our providers

One-of-a-kind gastrointestinal specialty programs. For people in North Idaho with GERD, achalasia, or other gastrointestinal disorders, we offer a specialized Foregut Program. We also use a range of endoscopic procedures that can help find the root causes of your gastrointestinal concerns.