Digestology in Palamós: Digestive System Diagnosis and Treatment

What is Digestology?

Digestology, also known as Gastroenterology, is the medical specialty responsible for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the diseases that affect the digestive system. This branch of medicine covers a wide range of organs: the oesophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine (colon), the rectum, the anus, the pancreas, the gallbladder, the bile ducts and the liver.

The digestive system is a complex system that is fundamental to the overall health of our body. It is not only responsible for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, but it also plays a key role in immunity, hormonal balance and even in emotional well-being, thanks to the connection between the gut and the brain (the so-called gut-brain axis).

At Clínica Eupnea Palamós, we have a specialised Digestology service that offers comprehensive and personalised care. Our team works in a coordinated way with nutritionists and endocrinologists to guarantee a complete approach for each patient, from diagnosis through to treatment and follow-up. We use advanced diagnostic techniques and apply the most up-to-date protocols to offer the best quality of care in the Baix Empordà and the Costa Brava.

What do we treat?

The Digestology service at Clínica Eupnea Palamós treats a wide variety of pathologies and disorders of the digestive system, among which the following stand out:

• Functional digestive disorders: gastroesophageal reflux, abdominal distension, chronic abdominal pain, intestinal colic and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Digestive infections: candida infections, intestinal parasites, bacterial gastroenteritis and Helicobacter pylori infection.
• Food intolerances: intolerance to lactose, fructose, sorbitol and other fermentable sugars (FODMAPs).
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): excessive proliferation of bacteria in the small intestine, which causes bloating, gas, diarrhoea and malabsorption of nutrients.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): retrosternal burning, acid regurgitation, chest pain and difficulty swallowing.
• Inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Hepatobiliary pathology: diseases of the liver (hepatic steatosis, hepatitis), of the gallbladder (gallstones) and of the bile ducts.
• Pancreatic pathology: acute and chronic pancreatitis, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
• Haemorrhoids and anorectal pathology: internal and external haemorrhoids, anal fissures and fistulas.
• Polyps and colorectal cancer prevention: early detection and removal of intestinal polyps by means of screening colonoscopy.
• Coeliac disease and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.

Digestology Diagnostic Studies

At Clínica Eupnea Palamós we have the most advanced diagnostic tests to accurately identify the origin of digestive complaints. The main ones are detailed below:

Food intolerance test (Breath tests)

Breath tests are non-invasive tests that allow food intolerances to be detected quickly and reliably. The patient ingests a solution with the sugar to be evaluated and, subsequently, the concentration of hydrogen and methane in the exhaled air is measured at regular intervals. We offer breath tests for the detection of intolerance to fructose, fructose-sorbitol, lactose, glucose, sucrose, maltose and lactitol. These tests are also used to diagnose SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).

Helicobacter Pylori test

The breath test for Helicobacter pylori is a simple, fast and non-invasive test to detect the presence of this bacterium in the stomach. The patient ingests a urea tablet labelled with carbon-13 (C-13) and, after a few minutes, blows into a special container. If H. pylori is present, the bacterium breaks down the urea and releases labelled CO₂, which is detected in the breath. This infection can cause gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer.

Gastroscopy (Upper digestive endoscopy)

Gastroscopy is an examination that consists of introducing a flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) through the mouth to directly visualise the oesophagus, the stomach and the duodenum (first portion of the small intestine). It allows ulcers, inflammations, hiatal hernias, precancerous lesions and tumours to be diagnosed. During the test, biopsies (tissue samples) can be taken for histopathological analysis. It is performed with sedation to guarantee the patient's comfort.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy consists of introducing a colonoscope (flexible tube with a camera) through the anus to explore the entire colon and, if necessary, the last section of the small intestine (terminal ileum). It is the reference test for colorectal cancer screening and for diagnosing inflammatory bowel diseases, diverticulosis, polyps and other lesions. It is recommended from the age of 50 as a preventive measure, or earlier if there is a family history of colon cancer. It requires prior bowel preparation and is performed with sedation.

Endoscopic polypectomy

Polypectomy is a therapeutic procedure performed during a colonoscopy or gastroscopy to remove polyps from the digestive tract. Polyps are abnormal growths of the intestinal mucosa that, in some cases, can develop into cancer if they are not removed. Their removal is a fundamental measure of colorectal cancer prevention. The procedure is performed with a special snare or forceps through the endoscope, and the samples are sent to pathological anatomy for analysis.

Abdominal ultrasound

Abdominal ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless imaging test that uses ultrasound waves to obtain real-time images of the abdominal organs: liver, kidneys, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas and large abdominal vessels. It allows gallstones, hepatic steatosis (fatty liver), cysts, tumours, free abdominal fluid and other alterations to be detected. It is a fast, safe examination that does not use ionising radiation, ideal as a first-line diagnostic approach for abdominal complaints.