Comprehensive Digestive Health Care

At Digestive Health Associates, we provide a full range of gastroenterology services in our state-of-the-art facility. Our experienced team is dedicated to delivering safe, comfortable, and effective care for all your digestive health needs.

Have Questions About Your Procedure?

Visit our comprehensive FAQ page for answers about colonoscopy preparation, what to expect on procedure day, insurance coverage, and more.

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Colonoscopy in Durango, Colorado

Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon cancer screening and prevention in Durango and Southwest Colorado. This diagnostic procedure allows our board-certified gastroenterologists to examine the entire colon and rectum, detect and remove precancerous polyps (polypectomy), diagnose inflammatory bowel disease, identify sources of gastrointestinal bleeding, and screen for colorectal cancer in patients throughout La Plata County and the Four Corners region.

Why Choose Colonoscopy?

  • Most effective method for colon cancer prevention
  • Can detect and remove polyps during the same procedure
  • Recommended screening starting at age 45 for average-risk individuals
  • Performed under comfortable sedation
  • Superior polyp detection rates at our center

What to Expect

Our team will provide detailed preparation instructions before your procedure. The colonoscopy itself typically takes 20-30 minutes, and you'll recover in our comfortable facility before going home the same day.

Hemorrhoid Treatment - CRH O'Regan System in Durango

Digestive Health Associates is the only facility in Durango, La Plata County, and the entire Four Corners region offering the CRH O'Regan System for hemorrhoid treatment. This revolutionary hemorrhoid banding procedure is painless, requires no anesthesia, and can be performed right in our Durango office or during your colonoscopy at Southwest Endoscopy Center. This advanced rubber band ligation treatment is an excellent alternative to hemorrhoidectomy surgery.

Exclusive to Our Practice: This is the only facility in the Durango area offering this advanced hemorrhoid treatment option.

Important Requirement: Patients must have had a colonoscopy within the last 3 years to be eligible for hemorrhoid banding treatment.

Benefits of the CRH O'Regan System:

  • Fast treatment (as little as 60 seconds)
  • Painless procedure
  • No anesthesia required
  • Return to work the same day
  • Proven effective
  • Can be performed during colonoscopy or in the office

Treatment Process

Most patients require 2-3 treatments spaced about 2 weeks apart. Each treatment involves placing a small rubber band around the hemorrhoid tissue, which then falls off naturally within a few days.

Upper Endoscopy (EGD) - Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Upper endoscopy, also known as EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), allows our experienced Durango gastroenterologists to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (upper portion of the small intestine). This diagnostic procedure helps diagnose and treat GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), peptic ulcers, Barrett's esophagus, esophageal strictures, celiac disease, and other upper gastrointestinal conditions affecting patients in Southwest Colorado.

Conditions We Diagnose and Treat:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Barrett's esophagus
  • Swallowing difficulties
  • Upper abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting

Procedure Details

The procedure is performed under conscious sedation for your comfort. A thin, flexible tube with a camera is gently inserted through the mouth to visualize the upper digestive tract. The procedure typically takes 15-30 minutes.

Esophageal Dilation

Esophageal dilation is a procedure used to treat narrowing of the esophagus (strictures) that can cause difficulty swallowing. This treatment can significantly improve your ability to eat and drink comfortably.

Conditions Treated:

  • Esophageal strictures
  • Achalasia
  • Schatzki rings
  • Post-surgical narrowing
  • Radiation-induced strictures

The Procedure

During the procedure, we gently stretch the narrowed area of the esophagus using specialized instruments. This is typically performed during an upper endoscopy under sedation for your comfort.

Additional Services

Consultation Services

Comprehensive evaluation and management of digestive health concerns including inflammatory bowel disease, liver conditions, and chronic gastrointestinal symptoms.

Follow-up Care

Ongoing monitoring and management of chronic conditions with personalized treatment plans and regular check-ups to ensure optimal health outcomes.

Preventive Care

Screening and prevention programs designed to detect digestive health issues early, including colon cancer screening and surveillance programs.

Patient Education

Comprehensive education about digestive health conditions, treatment options, and lifestyle modifications to support your overall well-being.

Conditions We Treat

Our experienced gastroenterologists diagnose and treat a comprehensive range of digestive health conditions:

  • Achalasia (swallowing problem)
  • Acute pancreatitis
  • Barrett's esophagus
  • Celiac disease
  • Chronic pancreatitis
  • Collagenous colitis
  • Constipation
  • Crohn's disease
  • Diverticulitis
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Gallstones
  • Gastroparesis
  • GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Incontinence
  • Infectious colitis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Ischemic colitis
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Lymphocytic colitis
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
  • Pancreatic pseudocysts
  • Small bowel bacterial overgrowth
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Ulcers

Don't see your condition listed? Contact us to discuss how we can help.

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Why Choose Digestive Health Associates?

Experienced Team

Our board-certified gastroenterologists and experienced physician assistants have been serving the Durango community for over 20 years.

State-of-the-Art Facility

Southwest Endoscopy Center features the latest technology and equipment, ensuring you receive the most advanced care available.

Personalized Care

We take the time to understand your individual needs and develop treatment plans tailored specifically to your situation.

Convenient Location

Located in Durango, we provide local access to specialized gastroenterology care without the need to travel to larger cities.

Ready to Schedule Your Procedure?

Contact us today to discuss your digestive health needs and schedule an appointment.