Pediatric Gastroenterology in Columbus, GA

Abdominal pain is a common symptom children experience and can be associated with a variety of acute or chronic gastrointestinal conditions. It can also signify something is wrong with specific internal organs, including the gallbladder, liver, or kidneys.

If your child is experiencing lasting abdominal pain that won’t subside with time or at-home remedies, or if they are dealing with recurring bouts of abdominal pain that flare up from time to time, schedule an appointment with the pediatric GI specialists at Southeastern Gastroenterology.

The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It regulates enzyme production, hormones, and metabolism. Sometimes, disease or other conditions disrupt the pancreas’s function, leading to painful or troublesome complications like pancreatitis.

There are two primary forms of pancreatitis your child can suffer from:

• • Acute pancreatitis—Acute pancreatitis in children is often caused by genetics, infection, injury or trauma, or adverse reactions to certain medications. Patients with acute pancreatitis can experience severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and general irritability.
  • Chronic pancreatitis—Chronic pancreatitis in children is a rare condition caused by genetics, congenital issues, or frequent bouts of acute pancreatitis. Pediatric patients with chronic pancreatitis often experience chronic pain in the abdomen and other areas, malnutrition, growth issues, and a higher risk of developing diabetes or pancreatic cancer.

If your child is suffering from any form of pancreatitis, schedule an appointment with our pediatric gastroenterologists today.

Celiac disease is a condition in which the immune system responds negatively to gluten, a protein compound found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. When the immune system detects gluten in the body, it initiates reactions that cause the lower intestines to become inflamed.

Ingesting even a minuscule amount of gluten can lead to severe intestinal inflammation, among numerous other complications and side effects.

Common symptoms of celiac disease in children include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Irritability
• Weight loss
• Failure to thrive/delayed growth

Celiac disease is a life-long issue that can develop in childhood. About one in every 100 people are affected by it. If your child is showing signs of celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, turn to the pediatric celiac disease specialists at Southeastern Gastroenterology for answers and effective treatment.

Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the body’s own cells, particularly those along the gastrointestinal tract.

Crohn’s disease is an incurable condition that can develop at any age, including in childhood, and can flare up sporadically throughout a patient’s life.

Flare-ups come and go in waves and tend to lead to symptoms like:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Failure to thrive/delayed growth
• Malnutrition
• Rectal bleeding
• Fever

If your child has Crohn’s or is suffering from Crohn’s symptoms, reach out to Southeastern Gastroenterology. Our pediatric gastroenterologists provide diagnosis and management solutions so that your little one can get back to feeling like themselves again.

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a condition in which the muscles and nerves that control swallowing malfunction. This can lead to issues when swallowing food or beverages, making it painful or downright impossible to eat, drink, or even swallow saliva.

Symptoms of dysphagia in children include:

• Coughing or choking while eating
• Refusing to eat
• Drooling while eating
• Difficulty swallowing
• A “wet-sounding” voice (a voice that has a gurgle-like or liquid-like quality to it)

Pediatric dysphagia is often associated with neurological issues, developmental issues, or structural issues.

If you suspect your child suffers from dysphagia, contact the gastroenterologists at Southeastern Gastroenterology. Our team can offer the diagnosis and treatments needed to help your child return to normal eating and swallowing.

Encopresis is a type of fecal incontinence that typically affects children who are potty trained or older than four years old. Children with encopresis repeatedly, uncontrollably, or involuntarily pass stools, soiling underwear and other articles of clothing.

In most cases, encopresis is a side effect of chronic constipation where hardened stools sit in the rectum for too long, causing looser stools to leak down and out of the anus.

If your child is struggling with encopresis, talk to the pediatric GI doctors at Southeastern Gastroenterology for treatment and solutions that can stop encopresis and help give your little one a fresher, cleaner day.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a condition where the esophagus is chronically inflamed.

Common symptoms of EoE in children include:

• Swallowing difficulties
• Frequent regurgitation/vomiting
• Frequent throat clearing
• Frequent coughing during meals
• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain
• Failure to thrive/delayed growth

Common causes of EoE in children include:

• Food allergies
• Asthma
• Allergic rhinitis/hay fever
• Acid reflux

If your child struggles with either of the common causes or symptoms of EoE, the gastroenterology specialists at Southeastern Gastroenterology are here to diagnose, treat, and, in some cases, reverse EoE and its frustrating symptoms.

Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed. If you’ve ever had an upset stomach before, you’ve experienced gastritis.

It’s extremely common, especially in children, with symptoms like:

• Stomach pain
• stomach tenderness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tightness in the abdomen
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating
• Belching

Causes of pediatric gastritis often include some form of infection, adverse reactions to medication, stress, autoimmune disease, and more.

Oftentimes, gastritis is acute and short-lasting. However, some children may suffer from chronic gastritis, with stomach pain that lasts for weeks at a time.

No matter the cause, the stomach doctors at Southeastern Gastroenterology can provide the treatments needed to settle your child’s stomach pain and bring relief.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition wherein the colon does not contract in a normal, rhythmic pattern but rather in a spastic, irregular way. Episodes can feel mild or intense and persist for extended periods. Depending on the severity, flare-ups can last anywhere from a few hours to a few months.

IBS in children can cause symptoms like:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Nausea

IBS is fairly common among children in the United States, with upwards of 15% of pediatric patients suffering from it. However, it is suspected to be underdiagnosed, considering not everyone with IBS seeks out treatment for it. IBS tends to affect female patients more than male patients and is typically a chronic condition that can last for months or flare up over the course of a patient’s life.

If your little one has IBS, the GI doctors at Southeastern Gastroenterology are available for effective IBS treatment and management.

Lactose intolerance is a condition where the patient does not have enough lactase enzymes to break down lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products.

Lactose intolerance is primarily a genetic or hereditary issue that can appear at any point in a person’s life, commonly appearing in childhood.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance in children commonly include:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Excessive gas
• Bloating

All of these symptoms can appear after consuming dairy or dairy products.

At Southeastern Gastroenterology, we offer lactose-intolerant patients the education needed to understand their condition and supplements that can help them digest products containing lactose. If your child suffers from lactose intolerance, contact our pediatric gastroenterologists for effective care.

The liver is a crucial organ that helps detoxify the body, metabolize nutrients, produce bile for digestion, and store energy. It is also susceptible to damage or malfunction due to a variety of liver diseases.

Pediatric issues that can lead to liver disease include:

• Genetic disorders
• Autoimmune diseases
• Metabolic issues
• Adverse reactions to certain medications
• Acute liver failure
• Fatty liver disease

Pediatric patients with liver disease or children experiencing symptoms common with liver issues can rely on the gastrointestinal doctors at Southeastern Gastroenterology for effective liver care, treatment, and management.

Ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a chronic condition where patients experience inflammation and ulcer development in the colon and rectum.

While rare, this condition can develop in children and lead to troublesome symptoms like:

• Abdominal pain
• Cramping
• Bloody diarrhea or rectal bleeding
• Uncontrollable bowel movements
• Chronic fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Skin rashes

Because little is known about this condition, it is considered incurable—or at least no cure has been discovered yet. However, treatments are available to manage symptoms and minimize complications.

If your child shows symptoms of ulcerative colitis or symptoms related to ulcerative colitis, contact the GI doctors and specialists at Gastroenterology. We offer management solutions to help calm symptoms and lessen flare-ups.