Consider the following:

• Sixty to 70 million persons are affected by all digestive diseases.
  
• Thirteen percent of all hospitalizations are for digestive disorders.
  
• Digestive disorders account for 50 million physician office visits per year.
  
• Digestive disorders cost $107 billion - $87 billion in direct medical costs and $20 billion in indirect costs each year.

Most digestive diseases are very complex, with subtle symptoms, and the causes of many remain unknown. They may be inherited, or develop from multiple factors such as stress, fatigue, diet, or smoking. Abusing alcohol imposes the greatest risk for digestive diseases.

Reaching a diagnosis requires a thorough and accurate medical history and physical examination. Some patients may need to undergo more extensive diagnostic evaluations, including laboratory tests, endoscopic procedures, and imaging techniques. Physicians who specialize in the treatment of digestive problems are called gastroenterologists.

Use the following links for more information:

• The Digestive System - An Overview
• Diagnostic Procedures
• Medications and the Digestive System
• Digestive Disorders
  • About Ulcerative Colitis
  • Appendicitis
  • Barrett’s Esophagus
  • Celiac Disease
  • Colitis, Collagenous and Lymphocytic
  • Colitis, Ulcerative
  • Collagenous Colitis and Lymphocytic Colitis
  • Constipation
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Diarrhea
  • Diverticular Disease
  • Gas in the Digestive Tract
  • Gastritis
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) / Heartburn
  • Gastroparesis
  • GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
  • Helicobacter Pylori
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Hepatitis
  • Hernia, Inguinal
  • Hernia, Hiatal
  • Hiatal Hernia
  • Incontinence, Fecal
  • Indigestion
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Related Diseases
  • Inguinal Hernia
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Lactose Intolerance
  • Lymphocytic Colitis and Collagenous Colitis
  • Peritonitis
  • Pouchitis
  • Stomach and Duodenal Ulcers (Peptic Ulcers)
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Ulcers, Stomach and Duodenal
• Cancers of the Digestive System
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Stomach Cancer
• Test Preparations
• Glossary
• Online Resources

Gastroenterology and
Care for Digestive Disorders
at Rush

The gastroenterology and nutrition program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the Midwest.

Staffed by some of the nation’s top specialists, the gastroenterology team at Rush offers specialized treatment and follow-up care for adults with a wide array of digestive and gastric disorders, including Barrett’s esophagus, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis.

For more information about gatroenterological care at Rush visit our Gastroenterology and Nutrition home page.

Looking for Other Health Information?

• Visit our Health Information home page.
   
  or
  
 

• Visit Discover Rush’s Web Resource page to find articles on health topics and recent health news from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. You will also find many helpful links to other areas of our site.

Looking for a Doctor?

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, is a leader in caring for people of all ages, from newborns through older adults.

Just phone (888) 352-RUSH or (888) 352-7874 for help finding the Rush doctor who’s right for you.

Clinical Trials

Looking for Information About Clinical Trials at Rush for Digestive Disorders?

• Visit the Digestive Disorders Trials home page.

Looking for Information About Clinical Trials at Rush for Other Disorders?

• Visit the Clinical Trials home page.