Digestive health

The specialists at Mercy Hospitals can diagnose and treat a variety of digestive health problems such as colon cancer, ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Find a Doctor
 

Gastroenterology and digestive diseases

Diseases of the digestive tract are responsible for hospitalizing more people in the United States than any other group of disorders. Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield, including Mercy Hospital Downtown and Mercy Hospital Southwest, offer gastroenterology services to treat digestive disorders and liver diseases. Whether the answer is a lifestyle change, medication, diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, our doctors work with you to determine the best course of treatment.

 

Prevention

When it comes to digestive health, the importance of prevention cannot be stressed enough. Colon cancer is one of the most preventative diseases because it develops from polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous. A colonoscopy is the best screening to detect colon cancer.

You should consider a screening if any of the following apply to you:

  • Age 50 or older and have never had a colonoscopy
  • Use tobacco
  • Are obese or sedentary
  • Have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or non-cancerous colorectal polyps
  • Have a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as long-standing ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease

Digestive disorders

Many digestive disorders require care by a gastroenterologist or your primary care doctor. Some of the most common digestive disorders are:

Diagnostic procedures

At Mercy Hospitals, we perform colonoscopy and endoscopy to diagnose and treat a variety of digestive health problems such as colon cancer, ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
 

Acid reflux and heartburn

Heartburn or acid reflux can be serious and lead to Barrett's Esophagus and esophageal cancer. It’s important to talk to your doctor if you suffer from heartburn two or more times per week. He or she may want to give you a prescription or perform endoscopy to check for Barrett's Esophagus
 
 
Icon of a clipboard, pencil, and checklist

At risk for acid reflux disease?

Heartburn—that uncomfortable, burning sensation in the chest that many people occasionally experience after eating—is fairly common. But if you get heartburn frequently, you may be experiencing symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.

Take this quick assessment to:

  • Understand symptoms and causes of acid reflux disease (GERD)
  • Determine your risk factors for developing GERD
  • Learn which lifestyle factors can increase or decrease your risk
Take the assessment

Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which the inner lining of the large intestine (colon or bowel) and rectum become inflamed. Inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower (sigmoid) intestine and spreads upward to the entire colon.
 

Crohn's disease

Crohn’s disease is one type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Environmental, immunologic, and bacterial factors are known to cause an immune response. This results in an inflammatory reaction of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small bowel, large bowel, or rectum.

 

Learn More

 

Stomach ulcers

About one in 10 Americans develops at least one ulcer during his or her lifetime. An ulcer is an open sore, or lesion, usually found on the skin or mucous membrane areas of the body.

 

Learn More

Find a gastroenterologist at Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield

To find a doctor specializing in gastrointestinal disorders, or to find a primary care physician (PCP), please use our Find a Doctor tool or call (661) 324-7070.