If you experience chronic constipation, diarrhea, bloating and stomach pain, your primary care doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist for further care. You may be diagnosed with a functional bowel disease, which occurs when the body’s normal digestive activities don’t work as they should, but structural abnormalities such as a tumor aren’t present. Most of these diseases are identified by their symptoms.

In the Sutter Health network, gastroenterologists work with you to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you. Your plan may include medications to aid in symptom relief. You may also be referred to a nutrition counselor, who can help identify trigger foods, plan meals and modify your diet to keep your symptoms in check. In order to help lower stress and identify situations that cause stress, a psychiatric consultation may be helpful.

Affiliate hospitals within our network are ranked by the U.S. News & World Report as some of the highest performing in the nation for gastroenterology services. Across our network, gastroenterology services have earned five-star ratings from Healthgrades.