The questions patients ask me most.

A gastroenterologist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the digestive system — the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. I care for the full spectrum: acid reflux (GERD), IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, fatty liver disease, gallbladder and pancreatic disorders, colon polyps, and gastrointestinal bleeding. My goal is not simply to treat symptoms, but to identify their underlying cause.

Symptoms that persist, recur, or interfere with your daily life should not be ignored. Consider an appointment for frequent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, persistent abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea or constipation, ongoing bloating, blood in your stool, iron deficiency anemia, unexplained weight loss, a family history of colon cancer or polyps — or simply because you're due for colorectal cancer screening. Many patients are surprised to learn that symptoms they've lived with for years are both diagnosable and highly treatable.

In many cases you can schedule without a referral, particularly with a PPO plan or if you're paying directly for your care. Some HMO plans require a referral from your primary care physician. As a concierge practice, I also see patients who don't have insurance. If you're unsure, my office is happy to help verify your benefits and explain your options.

Blood in your stool, black or tarry stools, difficulty swallowing or food getting stuck, persistent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, ongoing nausea or vomiting, iron deficiency anemia, diarrhea lasting more than several weeks, jaundice, or vomiting blood. These don't necessarily indicate cancer or serious disease — but they should never be dismissed as hemorrhoids, stress, or aging without an appropriate evaluation.

Persistent bloating is one of the most common reasons patients see me — and the cause is not always excess gas. Food intolerances, constipation, IBS, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), celiac disease, and delayed stomach emptying can all contribute. Understanding when the bloating occurs, which foods trigger it, and what accompanies it provides valuable diagnostic clues. You should not have to accept chronic bloating as “normal” — in many cases we can identify the cause and significantly improve your symptoms.

There's no single “normal” number of bowel movements — constipation becomes a concern when they're infrequent, difficult, require straining, or leave you feeling incompletely emptied. Common causes include inadequate fiber or fluids, medications, pelvic floor dysfunction, IBS, thyroid disorders, and slow colonic transit. Treatment should never be one-size-fits-all. If constipation comes with rectal bleeding, anemia, weight loss, or a sudden change in habits — particularly after age 45 — it should be evaluated promptly.

The most common causes are hemorrhoids and anal fissures, but bleeding can also come from polyps, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, infections, vascular abnormalities, or colorectal cancer. One of the most common misconceptions I hear is “I know it's just hemorrhoids.” Rectal bleeding should never be assumed benign without an appropriate evaluation — especially if it's new, recurrent, or accompanied by pain, changed bowel habits, anemia, or weight loss.

Black, tarry stool — melena — often indicates bleeding in the upper digestive tract, from causes like ulcers, gastritis, or medication-related bleeding. Iron supplements and bismuth (Pepto-Bismol) can also darken stool harmlessly. The distinction matters because GI bleeding can become an emergency: black tarry stools with dizziness, weakness, fainting, or vomiting blood need immediate medical attention. When appropriate, an upper endoscopy can identify the source and often treat it in the same procedure.

Occasional heartburn is common and usually not concerning. But symptoms more than twice a week may indicate GERD — and left untreated, GERD can lead to esophagitis, ulcers, strictures, Barrett's esophagus, and in some patients an increased risk of esophageal cancer. If you rely on antacids for months at a time, or have difficulty swallowing, chest discomfort, chronic cough, or nighttime symptoms, a proper evaluation is worth it.

Absolutely. The gut and brain are closely connected through the gut-brain axis, which is why stress often worsens abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, reflux, and IBS. But stress is rarely the whole explanation — new or persistent symptoms shouldn't be attributed to stress without a proper evaluation. The best outcomes usually come from treating the underlying digestive condition while also addressing nutrition, sleep, and stress.

For most adults at average risk, colorectal cancer screening should begin at age 45. With a family history of colon cancer or polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or certain hereditary conditions, screening may need to start earlier. I review your personal and family history to recommend the schedule that's right for you.

The procedure itself typically takes 20 to 30 minutes, though plan on two to three hours at the endoscopy center for preparation, recovery, and discharge. My goal is a careful, thorough examination — not simply a fast one.

While you're comfortably sedated, I examine the entire lining of your colon with a thin, flexible camera. If I find polyps, they can usually be removed during the same procedure — preventing them from ever becoming cancer. Biopsies may also be taken to help diagnose digestive conditions.

A successful colonoscopy begins with a high-quality bowel preparation: a clear liquid diet the day before and a prescribed prep solution to cleanse the colon. My office provides detailed instructions and answers questions along the way so you feel confident going in.

No — because of sedation, you'll need a responsible adult to take you home, and you shouldn't drive or make important decisions for the rest of the day. Most patients feel back to normal by the next morning.

Most polyps can be removed safely during the colonoscopy itself — no surgery needed. Removing polyps is one of the most effective ways to prevent colorectal cancer. Based on their size, number, and type, I'll recommend the right surveillance interval for your next exam.

No — most polyps are benign. But some types can become cancer over time if left in place, which is exactly why removing them during screening is such powerful prevention.

Yes. Colonoscopy is unique among screening tests because it doesn't just detect cancer — it prevents it, by finding and removing precancerous polyps before they turn malignant.

Cologuard is a reasonable option for some average-risk individuals, but it isn't a replacement. Stool DNA testing can detect some cancers and advanced polyps, but it can't remove anything or evaluate abnormalities directly. Colonoscopy remains the gold standard because diagnosis and treatment happen in the same procedure.

An esophagogastroduodenoscopy lets me examine the esophagus, stomach, and first portion of the small intestine with a thin, flexible camera — commonly to evaluate heartburn, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, nausea, anemia, or bleeding.

Most patients avoid eating or drinking for at least eight hours beforehand so the stomach is empty. Depending on your history and medications, you may get additional instructions — my office reviews everything with you ahead of time.

Yes — upper endoscopy is the best test for evaluating the stomach lining and detecting cancer, ulcers, inflammation, or precancerous changes. If anything looks abnormal, I take biopsies during the same procedure.

A condition in which chronic acid reflux changes the lining of the lower esophagus. Most patients with Barrett's never develop cancer, but it's considered precancerous and deserves appropriate monitoring. Early diagnosis lets us reduce risk and decide whether surveillance or treatment is needed.

Acid reflux, inflammation, strictures, esophageal rings, motility disorders — and occasionally something more serious. Swallowing difficulty should always be evaluated rather than ignored, and upper endoscopy is often the key step in finding the cause.

GERD is often chronic, but it can usually be managed very effectively — through lifestyle changes, weight management, medication, and in select cases endoscopic or surgical treatment. My goal is to control your symptoms while minimizing long-term reliance on medication whenever possible.

Common triggers include spicy foods, tomato-based dishes, citrus, chocolate, peppermint, caffeine, alcohol, fatty meals, and carbonated drinks — but triggers vary from person to person. Rather than blanket restrictions, I help you identify the foods actually contributing to your symptoms.

Not necessarily. Some patients with chronic GERD or Barrett's esophagus benefit from long-term treatment, but many can reduce or stop medication with the right lifestyle changes and guidance. Treatment should be individualized and reassessed — not continued indefinitely by default.

With a combination of blood tests and, in most adults, biopsies taken during an upper endoscopy. The diagnosis should be confirmed before making permanent dietary changes — a lifelong gluten-free diet has real nutritional and lifestyle implications, and an accurate diagnosis ensures you get the right long-term care.

No — keep eating gluten before testing. Removing it can cause falsely normal blood and biopsy results even if celiac disease is present. I generally recommend maintaining a gluten-containing diet for at least 6–8 weeks before testing for the most accurate results.