What are Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases?

Pancreatic and biliary disease affect your pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts, thereby affecting the entire digestive health of your body. The pancreas contains two cells responsible for food digestion and metabolism control, located behind the stomach. The biliary tract involves the organs that make (liver), store (gallbladder), and transport bile.

Pancreatic and biliary diseases are genetically predetermined and are associated with long-term hurt to the organ.

What Are the Symptoms of Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases?

Pancreatic and biliary disease symptoms are, though not limited to:

  • jaundice
  • abdominal inflammation
  • gas, hiccups, and belching
  • vomiting
  • reduced appetite
  • nausea
  • abdominal pain
  • dark-colored urine
  • diarrhea
  • itching skin
What Are the Symptoms of Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases? | Idaho Digestive Health Institute

What Are the Risk Factors for Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases?

Many things have been considered to increase the chances of developing pancreatic and biliary conditions. These risk factors are 

  • Age
  • Ethnicity
  • Gender
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Family history
  • Consuming too many fatty foods

What Treatments Are Recommended for Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases, and How Do They Help?

If your diagnosis shows that you have a pancreatic and biliary disease, don't panic; several treatment options are available for your condition. Some of these gastroenterology procedures include:

  • Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This procedure removes obstructions in the biliary system, corrects complications from recent surgery, and reaches pancreatic tumors for biopsy.
  • Interventional Radiology. Most diagnostic procedures involve an injection of an X-ray contrast dye into the bile. Others involve the replacement of external drainage ducts to counter obstructions of the biliary region.
  • Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). This non-invasive procedure uses a powerful magnetic field, a computer, and radio waves to examine any disease's pancreas and biliary system. 
  • Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). EUS is used to execute biopsies on tissue growth to determine what they are. The EUS uses an endoscope fitted with an ultrasound element at its tip to view beneath the surface of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL). This procedure is used for crushing stones in the biliary system and pancreas using sound waves produced by a lithotripter machine placed outside the body. 

How Can Gastroenterologist Dr. Woolf Help Patients with Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases?

Our gastroenterologist Dr. Woolf, an experienced professional, will listen prudently to your signs and symptoms and propose the most appropriate test to diagnose your digestive condition correctly. If you have any symptoms related to pancreatic and biliary disease, contact Idaho Digestive Health Institute to schedule a consultation with Caldwell, Idaho's top digestive expert, Dr. Woolf.

How Can Gastroenterologist Dr. Woolf Help Patients with Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases?

Why Go To Idaho Digestive Health Institute And See Dr. Woolf For This Procedure?

Dr. Woolf has the extended training necessary for the push enteroscopy procedure. In Caldwell, the Idaho Digestive Health Institute has knowledgeable and compassionate staff who will take the best care of you before, during, and after your procedure. If you are ready to schedule your push enteroscopy, contact us today.

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