Digestive and Gastrointestinal Health

Your digestive system turns food into fuel and plays a vital role in giving you the energy and stamina you need to enjoy life. When digestion problems arise, you can experience symptoms that affect you physically and mentally. The board-certified gastroenterologists at Beaufort Memorial are skilled in pinpointing issues in this complex system and helping you enjoy life without gastrointestinal complaints.

The board-certified gastroenterologists have the expertise you need to diagnose and/or manage a gastrointestinal condition. Speak with your primary care provider about a referral.

Gastroenterologists at Beaufort Memorial

Gastroenterologists specialize in the treatment of any condition that affects your digestive tract, including your throat, stomach and intestines. At Beaufort Memorial, our experienced gastroenterologists treat a variety of conditions that affect the throat, stomach and intestines.

The Importance of Digestive Health

The digestive system allows your body to take in essential nutrients, including protein, carbohydrates and fats. When you swallow, food moves into the esophagus, a narrow, muscular tube that automatically contracts to move what you eat or drink into the stomach. Once in the stomach, food is broken down even more by acid before it flows into the small intestine.

While in the small intestine, food mixes with juices from the pancreas and liver, and good bacteria help with the final steps of digestion. The small intestine is also where nutrients from food get absorbed. Finally, muscles inside the small intestine contract, pushing what’s left into the large intestine. Inside the large intestine, water is absorbed, and the byproduct of digestion (stool) is formed. Stool then exits your body as waste.

Some digestive issues are caused by food and others by genetics. In some cases, a digestive issue can be autoimmune, meaning that the immune system attacks healthy tissue. Autoimmune disorders of the digestive tract can cause inflammation that triggers symptoms.

When to See a Gastrointestinal (GI) Doctor

If you lose weight without intending to or have gas, bloating and/or changes to your bowel movements, visit your primary care provider first. Many common GI problems can be diagnosed and treated by a primary care provider. Then, talk to your primary care provider about a referral to a gastroenterology specialist, a physician who receives extra training in how to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.