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Click on the Invisible Man for an Interactive Tour of the GI System

Health

At Bux-Mont GI our doctors treat nearly every disease and condition known to affect the digestive tract. Early detection and treatment is critical for nearly all of these diseases and complications.

Left untreated, some digestive diseases can lead to cancer. Cancer can affect any part of the digestive tract, with colon cancer being the most common. Although rectal bleeding may be nothing more than hemorrhoids, it can also be an early warning sign of colon cancer.

Please contact us if you are experiencing rectal bleeding, pain, or digestive problems of any kind.

Every person over 50 should have regular checkups and cancer screenings with their Bux-Mont Physician. People with a family history of colon cancer or polyps should have their first screening by age 40.

Healthy Diets

Healthy Diets
What you eat is important to your health. Click here for information on healthy diets and diets to help with specific conditions
Conditions

Conditions
Click here to learn about the various conditions that we treat
Health Links

Health Links
Click here for a list of organizations that can provide you with information on specific conditions

Cancer Screenings

Colon cancer is one of the most common of all cancers. There is a 90% survival rate if it is discovered early. Most cancers begin with precancerous polyps which can be removed by colonoscopy, therefore preventing colon cancer.

Everyone over the age of 50 should have periodic examinations and cancer screenings. Individuals with a family history of colon cancer or polyps should have cancer screenings beginning at age 40. You should also be examined if you have any rectal bleeding.

As part of your cancer screening your Bux-Mont physician will perform either a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to view your colon. Ask your doctor about appropriate screening and prevention of colon cancer.

Preparation for the Exam:

  1. Colonoscopy

  2. Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a visual examination of the colon. Your Bux-Mont physician will use an endoscope, which is a flexible, fiber-optic video device. Colonoscopies generally last about 30 minutes. You will be sedated to prevent pain and discomfort.

Preparation for the Exam:

  1. Discuss with your doctor the medications you take. Your medication schedule may have to be adjusted the week before your colonoscopy.
  2. Unless otherwise directed by your physician do not take aspirin or blood thinners for 4 to 7 days before the procedure.
  3. You must have a ride home from the hospital. Since you will be sedated, you will not be able to safely operate a vehicle or machinery for 24 hours.
  4. The day before the procedure you must follow a clear-liquid diet and use a bowel prep kit prescribed by your physician. Click Here for Instructions
  5. Your colonoscopy will be performed either at the Harleysville Endo Center , Grand View Hospital in Sellersville, or St. Luke's Hospital in Quakertown. Please make sure that you arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment. YOU MUST HAVE A RIDE HOME.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a two step procedure in which dye is first injected into the bile and the pancreatic ducts, and then an x-ray is taken to obtain an image of the pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts. To inject the dye, your Bux-Mont physician will use an endoscope, which is a flexible, fiber-optic video device which is passed down your esophagus. You will be sedated, and it is unlikely that you will experience any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Some patients experience a mild sore throat for a few hours after the examination.

Preparation for the Exam:

  1. Discuss with your doctor the medications you take. Your medication schedule may have to be adjusted the week before your ERCP examination.
  2. Unless otherwise directed by your physician do not take aspirin or blood thinners for 4 to 7 days before the procedure.
  3. You must have a ride home from the hospital. Since you will be sedated, you will not be able to safely operate a vehicle or machinery for 24 hours.
  4. Your ERCP will be performed at either Grand View Hospital in Sellersville, or St. Luke's Hospital in Quakertown. Please make sure that you arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment. YOU MUST HAVE A RIDE HOME.

Upper Endoscopy (EGD)

An upper GI endoscopy is a visual examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Your Bux-Mont physician will use an endoscope, which is a flexible, fiber-optic device to perform the examination. The procedure generally lasts about ten minutes. You will be sedated, and it is unlikely that you will experience any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Some patients experience a mild sore throat for a few hours after the examination.

Preparation for the Exam:

  1. Discuss with your doctor the medications you take. Your medication schedule may have to be adjusted the week before your upper GI examination.
  2. Unless otherwise directed by your physician you should not take aspirin or blood thinners for 4 to 7 days before the procedure.
  3. You must have a ride home from the hospital. Since you will be sedated, you will not be able to safely operate a vehicle or machinery for 24 hours.
  4. Your upper GI endoscopy will be performed at the Harleysville Endo Center, Grand View Hospital in Sellersville, or St. Luke's Hospital in Quakertown. Please make sure that you arrive 30 minutes before your appointment. YOU MUST HAVE A RIDE HOME.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a visual examination of the lower colon (rectum and sigmoid colon). The examination generally takes less than 15 minutes and sedation is usually not given.

Preparation for the Exam:

  1. Discuss with your doctor the medications you take. Your medication schedule may have to be adjusted the week before your sigmoidoscopy.
  2. The day before the procedure you must have a light breakfast, followed by a clear-liquid diet. Click here for Instructions
  3. Your sigmoidoscopy will be performed at our Quakertown office. Please make sure that you arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment.

Liver Biopsy

A liver biopsy is a simple procedure that uses a needle to obtain a sample of your liver tissue. You will be given a local anesthesia to prevent discomfort. The biopsy will only take about a minute to complete, but you will have to rest at the hospital for several hours after the procedure. While you rest, our staff will monitor your heart rate and blood pressure.

Your diet and activity will be restricted for a couple of days after the procedure.

Preparation for the Exam:

  1. Discuss with your doctor the medications you take. Your medication schedule may have to be adjusted the week before your procedure.
  2. Unless otherwise directed by your physician you should not take aspirin or blood thinners for 4 to 7 days before the procedure.
  3. Your Liver Biopsy will be performed at either Grand View Hospital in Sellersville, or St. Luke's Hospital in Quakertown. Please make sure that you arrive 30 minutes before your appointment. YOU MUST HAVE A RIDE HOME.

Video-Capsule Endoscopy

Video-capsule endoscopy is a new way to examine the entire digestive tract. The video-capsule consists of an extremely small camera and a light source that are enclosed in a pill-sized housing. The capsule will send images to a data recorder which you wear around your waist. After swallowing the video-capsule you will be free to leave our facility and move about normally (no heavy lifting or exercise). The video-capsule should pass naturally in your next bowel movement. There should be no discomfort or pain whatsoever.

Preparation for the Exam:

  1. Discuss with your doctor the medications you take. Your medication schedule may have to be adjusted the week before your procedure.
  2. The day before the procedure you must follow a clear-liquid diet. Click here for Instructions
  3. You may not have any food or water after midnight (12am) the day of your procedure. You will not be able to eat or drink again for several hours after swallowing the video-capsule. Your physician will let you know when you can resume your normal eating schedule.