Specialties

The Most Advanced Treatments

Procedure
Forms & Videos

Welcome to Gastroenterology at Crystal Run. At Crystal Run Healthcare, our academically trained Gastroenterologists treat everything from digestive disorders to colon cancer. If you’re suffering from symptoms of digestive disorders, such as heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, pain, or rectal bleeding call us today. An experienced gastroenterologist, or stomach doctor, will help diagnose and treat your symptoms with the most advanced technology and medical therapies available.

State-of-the-Art Procedures

Endoscopy/Colonoscopy:

In our advanced Crystal Run Ambulatory Surgery Center and onsite Endoscopy Suites, our world-class gastroenterologists perform colonoscopy – a potentially lifesaving procedure that can detect colon cancer or other pre-cancerous conditions – as well as other same-day GI (gastrointestinal) procedures including Upper Endoscopy, also known as EGD or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Colonoscopy and Upper Endoscopy are offered in Middletown, Newburgh, Rock Hill, and West Nyack.

At Crystal Run, we also offer Capsule Endoscopy—a small battery-operated video camera in the form of a pill that is swallowed and travels through your digestive system, taking some 56,000 pictures along the way. The pictures provide your gastroenterologist with an inside view of your small intestines and areas that often cannot be seen with traditional endoscopy. This helps facilitate the accurate diagnosis of certain digestive diseases that might otherwise go undetected.

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), or echo-endoscopy, is a medical procedure in which endoscopy combines with ultrasound to obtain images of the internal organs in the chest and abdomen. A GI doctor will most commonly use EUS to look at the upper digestive tract and the respiratory system.

Learn More About Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. About 15% of women and 25% of men who undergo screening colonoscopy have a potentially precancerous polyp, though many people with polyps have no symptoms. Early detection with screening colonoscopy can save your life. There are therapies for all stages of colon cancer, but the earlier the stage, the better the prognosis.

Useful Links:

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal Cancer

Patient information

Colon Cancer Screening

Common Gastrointestinal Issues

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) 

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD is a condition caused by reflux of stomach contents (acid and/or bile) into the swallowing tube (esophagus). GERD is extremely common and is said to affect 10 to 20% of Western populations.

Symptoms: Classic symptoms include sour taste in the mouth (acid regurgitation) and burning in the chest (heartburn). Symptoms can also be atypical (laryngitis, chronic cough, sore throat, and asthma), particularly if the reflux reaches the back of the throat.

Risk Factors: Things that can increase your risk of GERD include obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, reflux-provoking dietary habits, and meals close to bedtime. Typical dietary triggers include caffeine (coffee), chocolate, carbonated beverages (soda), tomato-based foods, spicy foods, and peppermint.

Chronic GERD can cause complications such as ulcers in the esophagus and/or narrowed areas in the esophagus (strictures). Chronic GERD can also result in Barrett's esophagus (precancerous change in the esophagus lining due to repeated acid exposure).

Treatment: There are several effective medications available to treat the symptoms of GERD, including H2-receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors. Your physician can help determine the best medicine for you.

Upper endoscopy (also known as EGD) is an effective tool for diagnosing GERD complications and for diagnosing and monitoring Barrett's esophagus. At Crystal Run, our gastroenterologists perform Upper Endoscopy right on site, in our state-of-the-art Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Barrett’s Esophagus

Barrett’s Espophagus is a precancerous change in the esophagus lining due to repeated acid exposure, and is one of the known complications of acid reflux disease or GERD. It is common, and is present in 1 to 5 % of the general population and 10 to 15% of patients with reflux symptoms.

• Barrett’s esophagus is a major risk factor for esophageal cancer
• 1 in 200 patients with Barrett’s will develop esophageal cancer each year
• Patients with dysplasia in their Barrett’s have a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer
• Your gastroenterologist will recommend screening for cancer with endoscopy and biopsy, typically every 6 months to 3 years depending on the state of your Barrett’s
• Strong antacid medication (PPI’s) may help prevent the development of cancer in patients with Barrett’s and are often prescribed for these patients
• Some patients with Barrett’s may be candidates for eradication with RFA (radio frequency ablation), a new endoscopic technique.
• Rarely, surgery may be recommended for select patients with Barrett’s

Useful Links:


American College of Gastroenterology

National Digestive Diseases, Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease