Digestive Health at UNC Health Blue Ridge
Care that supports your health and comfort
Your digestive system plays a major role in your daily health. It turns food into fuel and powers every part of your body. This system includes your mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, liver, pancreas and gall bladder. When something does not work as it should, you can experience discomfort, pain or changes that interrupt your life.
Blue Ridge Digestive Health provides complete care for these concerns. Our highly trained providers offer testing, diagnosis, treatment and education to help you feel your best.
Understanding Digestive Health
Many organs work together to support digestion. Food moves from the mouth down the esophagus into the stomach, then through the small and large intestines. Along the way, the pancreas, liver and gall bladder help break down nutrients. When any part of this process is disrupted, your body may not get the energy it needs.
Our team is here to help you understand what is happening and guide you toward better digestive health.
What We Treat
Digestive problems can happen anywhere in the GI system. Some conditions are simple to diagnose and treat. Others may need advanced imaging, specialty testing or gastroenterology procedures. We care for a wide range of conditions, including:
- Diverticulitis: Many people have small pockets in their large intestine, resulting from a common, mostly harmless condition called diverticulosis. Diverticulitis occurs when the pockets become infected or swollen. Diverticulitis usually responds to antibiotics and changes in the diet, but occasionally other measures are necessary.
- Functional Bowel Disorders: This term includes several digestive health disorders, including lack of bowel control, recurrent diarrhea or constipation, and bloating. We can help those with functional bowel disorders find relief from these conditions.
- Gallstones: The gall bladder stores and releases bile, which helps to digest fat. Gallstones can develop in the gall bladder or in the bile ducts. Sometimes they result in no symptoms at all, but sometimes they create blockages, causing pain and other problems.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Sometimes called GERD, this condition occurs when acid from the stomach passes upward into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Persistent acid reflux requires treatment so that the acid does not damage the tissue of the esophagus.
- Hemorrhoids: Both surgical and non surgical treatments are available for hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the anus or rectum. Hemorrhoids are seldom serious, but they can produce pain and bleeding.
- Hemorrhoid banding, or rubber band ligation: A highly effective, minimally invasive, non-surgical, office-based procedure for internal hemorrhoids. A specialist places a small rubber band around the hemorrhoid base, cutting off its blood supply, causing it to shrink and fall off within 3–10 days. The procedure takes less than a minute, is generally painless, and allows for rapid recovery, often with little to no downtime.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Commonly called IBS, this syndrome causes gas and cramping in the lower abdominal tract. It can trigger either diarrhea or constipation, or stools can be alternately hard and loose. Stress can trigger IBS, but so can certain foods and medicines.
- Liver Disease, Including Hepatitis: The liver aids digestion and removes toxins from the body. Some liver problems are genetic, but viruses, alcohol use and other factors can impair liver function. We offer various diagnostic procedures and treatments for liver disorders.
- Pancreatic Diseases: The pancreas makes digestive enzymes and insulin. Various factors, including injury, infection and metabolic disorders, can cause pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas.
- Ulcers: These sores that occur in the stomach or upper small intestine can cause pain and bloating. Most ulcers result from a bacterial infection, although some pain relievers can thin the stomach lining and allow ulcers to develop.
If something does not feel right, we will help you understand your symptoms and the next steps for evaluation.
Services We Provide
Our team provides advanced diagnostic tests and treatments, including:
- Colorectal Cancer Screening with Colonoscopy
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to evaluate the gall bladder, bile ducts, pancreas and liver
- Specialized testing that shows how well your stomach and bowels are working
We focus on comfort and clear communication so you know what to expect before, during and after your procedure.
When To Contact Us
Call us if you are experiencing:
- Ongoing stomach pain
- Changes in bowel habits
- Blood in your stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Frequent heartburn
- Concerns related to liver or pancreatic health
If you are unsure whether a symptom is important, our team can help you decide next steps. Let us help you protect your digestive health and feel your best.
Where to Find Us
Blue Ridge Digestive Health is a part of the UNC Health Blue Ridge, longtime health care providers for Burke County, North Carolina and surrounding areas. You can access our gastrointestinal services at five convenient locations. For more information, call our offices in Hickory, Lenoir, Marion, Morganton and Valdese.
