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Digestive Disorders

Digestive disorders cause difficult symptoms like acid reflux, bloating, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain and more. It’s critical to get the right diagnosis, expert treatment and support to help you manage your condition.

Cereal with berries

Types of Diseases

  • Abdominal Bloating
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Barrett's Esophagus
  • Celiac Disease
  • Constipation
  • Crohn's Disease
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatty Liver
  • Fecal Incontinence
  • Gastroenteritis
  • GERD/Acid Reflux
  • Hepatitis C
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Liver Disease
  • Ulcerative Colitis

Digestive Disorders Facts and Stats

As many as one in five Americans suffer with some sort of digestive disorder, causing uncomfortable and serious symptoms.

  • Digestive disorders affect about 60 to 70 million Americans and cost nearly $98 billion in direct medical expenses.
  • Women are more likely than men to have certain digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome and gallstones. Other digestive problems affect men and women equally but can cause unique problems in women, such as irregular menstruation, miscarriage or infertility.
  • Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, affects about 20 percent of adults. Left untreated, GERD can raise your risk of esophageal cancer.
  • Much rarer ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease affect just 1.4 million Americans, but these conditions are particularly serious and may eventually require surgery.

Patient Information

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Interested in becoming a Sutter patient? Here’s what you need to know about health plans, choosing a doctor and how to get started today.

 
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Tips for Choosing a Doctor
  • Health Insurance Guide

Find a Gastrointestinal Specialist

Getting Answers to Digestive Problems

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When to Call the Doctor

Everyone suffers from indigestion at some point, but it's important to understand when it’s time to call the doctor.

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Pinpoint Your Gastrointestinal Problems

Receive an accurate diagnosis from highly trained gastroenterologists using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools.

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Treating Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Sutter Health network gastroenterologists offer a variety of treatments for diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Ask an Expert

Katerina P. Shetler

Katerina P. Shetler, M.D.

Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group

I have diverticulitis and a few months ago had a serious attack. I was treated with 14 days of antibiotics and I'm okay now. I had a colonoscopy and the report said "severe diverticulitis of entire colon." Is there any way to get rid of these "pockets”?

I'm sorry to hear about your issues with diverticulitis.Diverticulosis is a very common problem. Diverticula form at points of weakness within the colon wall. Once you developed diverticula, they are unlikely t... continue reading  about  I have diverticulitis and a few months ago had a serious attack. I was treated with 14 days of antibiotics and I'm okay now. I had a colonoscopy and the report said "severe diverticulitis of entire colon." Is there any way to get rid of these "pockets”?

Caroline Schreiber

Caroline Schreiber, M.D.

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

I'm a senior citizen in good health. I stopped taking estrogen two months ago. Within 10 days I started having soft, gray colored stools and gas. A recent colonoscopy test was normal. I don't eat dairy products. Could stopping estrogen be the cause?

Estrogen, or the withdrawal of estrogen, is not known to change stool or bowel habits as described. That said, I think of estrogen as all-powerful. Anything is possible. One way to know would be to go back on e... continue reading  about  I'm a senior citizen in good health. I stopped taking estrogen two months ago. Within 10 days I started having soft, gray colored stools and gas. A recent colonoscopy test was normal. I don't eat dairy products. Could stopping estrogen be the cause?

Toni J. Brayer

Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

Sutter West Bay Medical Group

I have hemorrhoids and banding has been recommended. What is it, what are the benefits, and what is the downside?

About 10 million Americans suffer from hemorrhoids, which are veins in the rectum and anus that swell and can itch and bleed. Some hemorrhoids get small blood clots (thromboses) and these are exquisitely painfu... continue reading  about  I have hemorrhoids and banding has been recommended. What is it, what are the benefits, and what is the downside?

Steven Machtinger

Steven Machtinger, M.D.

Brown & Toland Physicians

My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?

It may be that your child had a viral intestinal infection that has left her temporarily lactose intolerant. If she is otherwise growing well and has no abdominal pain, flatulence, or diarrhea when on a diet ex... continue reading  about  My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?

Deborah Kurzrock

Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

I have bleeding stomach ulcers. What foods do I need to avoid? What foods are beneficial?

It is a myth that spicy foods or a stressful job can cause peptic ulcers. Doctors now know that a bacterial infection or some medications - not stress or diet - cause most peptic ulcers.Your doctor will help in... continue reading  about  I have bleeding stomach ulcers. What foods do I need to avoid? What foods are beneficial?

Frank L. Anderson

Frank L. Anderson, M.D.

Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods

I just purchased a gluten lactase enzyme medication that claims to let me eat anything safely. I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, and also feel lactose intolerant. Will this product work, or did I just waste my money?

That sounds like a product too good to be true and I would imagine persons suffering from celiac disease and lactose intolerance would be very receptive. Unfortunately these are two very different problems whic... continue reading  about  I just purchased a gluten lactase enzyme medication that claims to let me eat anything safely. I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, and also feel lactose intolerant. Will this product work, or did I just waste my money?

Katerina P. Shetler

Katerina P. Shetler, M.D.

Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group

I have intestinal scarring from scleroderma, which now is in remission. I have trouble digesting food and suffer from diarrhea, constipation, digestive pain and rectal cramps. What foods are best for me and what should I avoid?

I am sorry to hear that scleroderma affected your bowel.The scleroderma may affect motility of the small bowel and stomach. It can also lead to the recurrent small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Patients with ... continue reading  about  I have intestinal scarring from scleroderma, which now is in remission. I have trouble digesting food and suffer from diarrhea, constipation, digestive pain and rectal cramps. What foods are best for me and what should I avoid?

Frank L. Anderson

Frank L. Anderson, M.D.

Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods

In the past I've take steroids for my irritable bowel syndrome, but since I've stopped, my IBS has returned. What are your thoughts on long-term steroid use for IBS?

It would be most important to distinguish your problem by its full diagnostic name. You refer to "IBS", which stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Steroids are rarely used for this condition. If the letters are... continue reading  about  In the past I've take steroids for my irritable bowel syndrome, but since I've stopped, my IBS has returned. What are your thoughts on long-term steroid use for IBS?

Michelle Smith

Michelle Smith, R.N.N.P.

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.

Welcome to life in your 40s! A lot of changes can and do happen. My first recommendation is to see a gastrointestinal doctor or nurse practitioner. Stomach aches and bloating often occur with irritable bowel sy... continue reading  about  Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.

Liver Diseases and Transplant Research

Sutter Health Liver Diseases and Transplant Research
Hepatology researchers are investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying hepatitis B, C and other liver diseases. Identifying early molecular or genetic changes - which may be detected before the disease manifests any clinical symptoms - could lead to interventions that reduce the severity of liver disease, or even prevent it from developing. Clinical researchers in the Liver Disease Management and Transplant Program are leading new investigations into hepatitis B and C disease management, hepatoma, hepatitis and HIV co-infection, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatorenal syndrome, and the care of liver transplant patients.

Sutter Health Liver Diseases and Transplant Research Sutter Health Liver Diseases and Transplant Research

Health and Wellness

Better Digestive Health

Better Digestive Health

See our full library of articles and tips on how to live well with a digestive disorder.

Better Digestive Health

Experts Who Partner With You

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Gastroenterology

The Sutter Health network provides gastrointestinal experts close to home who can help you successfully manage your symptoms. Learn about today’s treatment options for digestive disorders.

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site
Scott D. Levenson, M.D.

Scott D. Levenson, M.D.

  • Gastroenterology

Michael J. Northcutt, M.D.

Michael J. Northcutt, M.D.

  • Gastroenterology

Aarti K. Rao, M.D.

Aarti K. Rao, M.D.

  • Gastroenterology

Jennifer A. Griffin, M.D.

Jennifer A. Griffin, M.D.

  • Holistic/Integrative Medicine

Akil Palanisamy, M.D.

Akil Palanisamy, M.D.

  • Holistic/Integrative Medicine

Johanna C. Fuentes-Valdes, M.D.

Johanna C. Fuentes-Valdes, M.D.

  • Holistic/Integrative Medicine

Ryan A. McConnell, M.D.

Ryan A. McConnell, M.D.

  • Gastroenterology

Victorio P. Pidlaoan, M.D.

Victorio P. Pidlaoan, M.D.

  • Gastroenterology

Jonathan A. Africa, M.D., FAAP

Jonathan A. Africa, M.D., FAAP

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology

View All Related Doctors

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