An inside look at leading local digestive care and advanced endoscopy

EvergreenHealth continues to strengthen its reputation as a regional leader in digestive health, earning recognition as the No. 1 hospital in Washington state for Gastrointestinal Care by Healthgrades. As part of its ongoing commitment to providing access to high-quality digestive care, the health system is expanding its acid reflux treatment program and constantly looking for ways to advance its endoscopic capabilities for patients.

To learn more, we spoke with Dr. Rajnish Mishra, a board-certified gastroenterologist with a subspecialty in advanced endoscopic surgery in EvergreenHealth’s Digestive Care practice. During our conversation with Mishra about digestive health, he emphasized how this core function of our bodies plays a vital role in our overall health. He also explained some of the innovative treatment options offered to patients at EvergreenHealth to help them get back on the right “digestive tract.”

A comprehensive approach to digestive health

According to Dr. Mishra, digestive care at EvergreenHealth begins with understanding the complexity of the gastrointestinal tract.

“The GI tract is a relatively large and essential part of your body,” he explained. “It’s responsible for processing all of the foods and drinks you consume, and it involves many organs, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver.”

Because so many organs play important roles in digestion, patients may experience a wide range of symptoms when something isn’t functioning properly. EvergreenHealth’s team specializes in diagnosing conditions across this extensive system, from benign disorders like chronic acid reflux to more serious issues, such as bile duct blockages or pancreatic masses.

“That’s why we focus on advanced diagnostics and treatment techniques,” Dr. Mishra said. “Our goal is always to understand both the health of each organ and how food and fluids are moving through the system.”

Symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored

Digestive symptoms can vary widely, and even minor issues may signal something that needs medical attention.

“Many things can prompt a patient to come see us, including indigestion, heartburn, constipation, jaundice, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss or abdominal pain,” Dr. Mishra said. “These symptoms may indicate inflammation, stone disease, malignant growths, or evolving chronic conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).”

EvergreenHealth relies heavily on endoscopy to identify and evaluate these issues. Using a flexible tube with a light and camera, specialists can directly visualize the digestive tract and capture detailed images. Endoscopy can also be paired with tools like ultrasound to gather even more information about the health of the digestive system.

Treating conditions through advanced endoscopic surgery

While endoscopy is well-known as a diagnostic tool, it also plays a major role in treatment.

“We can remove tumors, polyps and localized cancers using endoscopic techniques,” Dr. Mishra explained. “We also offer endoscopic cryotherapy, which flash-freezes cells to get rid of damaged or diseased tissue.”

Endoscopy allows the team to perform biopsies on organs such as the liver and offer minimally invasive alternatives to traditional surgery. Many procedures require no external incisions, significantly reducing recovery time and risk of infection. These innovations have become especially important as EvergreenHealth expands its acid reflux treatment program.

Innovative relief for chronic acid reflux

Heartburn is a common discomfort after eating, something that many adults will be reminded of during this holiday season that features so many feasts and treats. Sometimes though, it’s a sign of something more persistent.

“It’s estimated that one in five adults in the U.S. deal with gastroesophageal reflux disease. It’s a chronic condition that involves acid from the stomach entering your esophagus and can lead to serious complications if left untreated,” Dr. Mishra said.

While traditional treatment options include lifestyle changes and medications, EvergreenHealth offers a newer minimally invasive endoscopic procedure known as transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF).

“TIF reinforces the muscles in your esophagus to help keep stomach acid where it belongs,” Dr. Mishra explained.

Using an endoscope, specialists fold the top portion of the stomach around the esophagus, tightening the valve without making a single incision.

“There is very little risk of infection or complications, and the recovery is incredibly short,” he adds.

A commitment to accessible, high-quality care

For Dr. Mishra and the EvergreenHealth Digestive Care team, the mission is simple: Deliver advanced, patient-centered care close to home.

“It’s very difficult to overstate the importance of the digestive system to your overall health,” Dr. Mishra emphasizes. “We’ve built our program to ensure you get the right diagnosis and have an array of treatment options that fit your needs.”

As the only gastrointestinal and advanced endoscopy practice on the Eastside offering procedures like TIF, EvergreenHealth continues to bring state-of-the-art care to the communities it serves, making it easier than ever for patients to access life-changing treatments and screenings.

To learn more about digestive care at EvergreenHealth or to schedule an appointment, you can go online to evergreenhealth.com.

This article is sponsored by EvergreenHealth. The content is educational in nature and should not be considered official medical advice.