Effective Gastroenterology Treatments in Kent
Dr Sharma provides comprehensive gastroenterology consultations and treatments for patients in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and the surrounding areas. Here are some of the most common complaints that he sees:
Services
-
Acid Reflux (Indigestion)
-
Oesophageal Stricture
-
Coeliac Disease
-
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), e.g., Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease
-
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
-
Diverticular Disease
-
Gall Stone Disease
-
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver
-
Acute/Chronic Pancreatitis
-
Alcoholic Liver Disease
-
Autoimmune Liver Disease
Get in touch today to request a gastroenterology consultation
Consultations and Procedures
During your initial consultation, Dr Sharma will take a detailed history from you regarding your current complaint as well as any other underlying or possible hereditary issues. He will then discuss your treatment options such as imaging, bloodwork and/or surgery, fully explaining each option in turn so you can be entirely comfortable with the proposed management plan. He is available for the following procedures:
-
Gastroscopy/Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD)
What Is A Gastroscopy and Why Do I Need One?
Upper GI endoscopy, also called OGD (oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy), ‘gastroscopy’ or simply an ‘endoscopy’, is a test which allows the lining of the oesophagus (the gullet), the stomach and around the first bend of the small intestine – the duodenum to be looked at directly. At the start of the test, an endoscope is passed through your mouth into the stomach. The endoscope is a thin flexible tube (no larger than a finger) with a bright light and video camera at the end.
This gives the endoscopist a clear view of the lining of the stomach, so they can check whether or not any disease is present. Sometimes, the endoscopist takes a biopsy – a sample of tissue for analysis under the microscope in the laboratory, the tissue is removed painlessly through the endoscope using tiny forceps
-
Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD)
What Is Dilatation?
If you have been having difficulty swallowing due to a narrowing (stricture), dilatation may be required. Dilatation is the clinical term for dilation and is the stretching of a tightened area, using a gastroscope and dilators.
Common conditions such as achalasia (a condition where the lower oesophagus muscles become very tight) and scarring strictures caused by stomach acid can require dilatation. Symptoms caused by strictures resulting from oesophageal surgery or an oesophageal cancer may also be relieved by dilatation.
-
Colonoscopy
What Is A Colonoscopy And Why Do I Need One?
A colonoscopy is a test which allows the lining of the large intestine (the colon) to be directly examined. Diagnostic colonoscopy is recommended for persistent changes in bowel habits, occult or frank blood in the stool, unexplained anaemia, and as a screening test for colon cancer.
At the outset of the test, a colonoscope is carefully passed through the anus into the rectum and advanced through the intestine. The colonoscope is a long flexible tube, about the thickness of your index finger, with a bright light and video camera at its tip. The video camera on the colonoscope transmits images of the inside of the colon to a monitor, allowing the endoscopist to examine the lining of the colon for any disease or abnormalities.
During the colonoscopy, a biopsy (a sample of the lining of the bowel for closer examination under the microscope) may be taken using tiny biopsy forceps passed through the colonoscope. This is a painless procedure. It is also possible to remove polyps during a colonoscopy. Polyps are abnormal projections or growths of tissue from the lining of the bowel, rather like a wart, and certain types of bowel polyps may be at risk of developing into cancer if left untreated.
If polyps are found, the endoscopist may decide to remove them via polypectomy (therapeutic colonoscopy) during the procedure; again, this is a painless procedure. Occasionally it may be necessary to return for a repeat colonoscopy to treat large or difficult-to-remove polyps.
-
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
What Is a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy and Why Do I Need One?
The flexible sigmoidoscopy examination allows the consultant to look directly at the lining of the lower part of the bowel using a ‘sigmoidoscope’, a flexible tube about the thickness of the index finger with a camera at the end. A sample of the lining of the bowel (a biopsy) may be taken for laboratory examination.
If small benign growths (polyps) are found, they can be removed during the examination. You may be experiencing symptoms including rectal bleeding or a change in bowel habits, or you may already have had an x-ray or CT colonography examination which has indicated further investigation is required. You have been advised to have this examination to try to find the cause of any symptoms, to help plan treatment and if necessary, to decide on further examination.
-
ERCP
What Is an ERCP and Why Do I Need One?
An ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography) procedure allows the endoscopist to take detailed X-rays of the bile duct and/or pancreas. You will lie on an X-ray table and the doctor who is to perform the test will explain what will happen.
Your throat will be numbed with a special spray, and you will be given an injection which will make you very sleepy. Once you are sleepy, an endoscope (a long, thin flexible tube with a bright light and video camera at one end) will be passed through your mouth, down into your stomach and the upper part of the small intestine (the duodenum).
X-ray dye will be injected down the endoscope so that the pancreas and bile ducts may be seen on X-ray films. If everything is normal, the endoscope is then removed, and the test is complete. The dye is passed out of your body harmlessly.
If the X-rays show a gallstone, the doctor will enlarge the opening of the bile duct, this is done with an electrically heated wire (diathermy) which you will not feel. Any stones will be removed and left to pass into the intestine. If a narrowing or other abnormality is found, then the endoscopist may take a sample of cells from the duct (known as ‘brushings’) to send for further analysis.
Occasionally, if a blockage is found, a short tube or ‘stent’ may be placed in the bile or pancreatic duct, to enable drainage. You will not be aware of the presence of the tube, which may remain in place permanently or be removed at a later date.
-
Outpatient Clinics
Dr Sharma is happy to accept self-referrals from patients. A previous medical history from your GP or other Clinician is helpful, but not mandatory, so if you have details of previous tests or procedures to hand, please make sure to let us know. Urgent appointments are available if required, please contact Anoushka directly.