Home Our Services About The Doctor Office Info Newsletter Resources For Patients Our Services   Dr. Abernathy specializes in the diagnosis and management of several diseases, disorders, and their manifestations. Abdominal pain Anal irritation Anal fissure Barrett's Esophagus Bloating Colon cancer screening Constipation Crohn's Disease Diverticular disease Esophageal reflux / Heartburn GI bleeding Hemorrhoids Hepatitis Hiatal hernia Gallstones Inflammatory bowel disease Irritable bowel syndrome Nausea/Vomiting Pancreatitis Peptic ulcer disease Rectal pain Swallowing disorders Ulcerative colitis Other The most advanced techniques are used to diagnose and treat these conditions. Treatment may include medication, changes in diet or lifestyle, non-invasive interventions or surgery. When appropriate, Dr. Abernathy will recommend enrollment into a clinical trial and/or further evaluation at a tertiary academic institution (i.e. University of Maryland Hospital, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Georgetown University Hospital or the Washington Hospital Center).     Dr. Abernathy also specializes in the performance of endoscopy and several other procedures that help with the diagnosis, management and treatment of various gastrointestinal and liver disorders. Anoscopy Capsule Endoscopy Colonoscopy Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Esophageal motility testing Esophageal pH monitoring Excision of acutely thrombosed hemorrhoids Flexible sigmoidoscopy Infrared coagulation of internal hemorrhoids Liver biopsy Paracentesis Upper Endoscopy Virtual colonoscopy   Endoscopy   An endoscope is a thin, long flexible tube with a camera in the end that allows specialists to examine most areas of the digestive system. The tube is inserted through the mouth or the anus depending on which procedure is being performed. The images from the camera are viewed live on a color television monitor in the room. Using special controls and tiny surgical instruments, the gastroenterologist can remove polyps, take biopsy samples, deliver thermal energy or lasers beams and remove gallstones from the biliary tree.     Copyright © 2008-2009 Dr. Thomas Abernathy, Digestive Disease Associates, All rights reserved.  Site design & host: NeuronLinks, Inc.