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Digestive health
Conditions we treat
Our leading gastroenterology specialists are here to help alleviate or eliminate digestive health symptoms that impact your life. We can accurately diagnose your gut condition and get you on to the best management or treatment pathway, so you can get back to doing the things you love.
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Expert help with a whole range of routine and complex conditions
Our dedicated team of gastroenterologists and private colorectal consultants is here for you. We offer specialist and advanced digestive health diagnostics, plus advice and support you can trust. Because our multi-disciplinary teams work together with dietitians and physiotherapists, you’ll benefit from a highly integrated approach, providing you with a fast and accurate diagnosis. For personalised, end-to-end care pathways and tailored treatment in comfortable, private surroundings, just get in touch.
Upper digestive problems
Your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract includes your mouth, oesophagus, stomach and small intestine and our expert gastroenterologists are experienced in treating problems that affect any part of it.
Conditions that we treat include:
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Prolonged and persistant acid reflux. If your heartburn isn't going away, you may have GORD -our specialists can help diagnose and treat this gastric condition.
Gallstones
Gallstones are small stones in the gallbladder which can block a duct inside it, causing a sudden, sharp abdominal pain
Surgery for stomach cancer and GISTs
SURGERY FOR CANCER AND TUMOURS IN THE STOMACH
HCA UK experts are here to make sure you get the right treatment for stomach cancer based on your individual needs.
Inguinal hernia
From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Umbilical hernia
HERNIA (LUMP) NEAR YOUR BELLY BUTTON
If you have an umbilical hernia, our experts at HCA UK have the experience and expertise to treat it
Barrett's oesophagus
Irritated gullet (food pipe). If you're experiencing heartburn and indigestion as a result of Barrett's oesophagus, we can treat it.
Achalasia
Achalasia is a rare muscle disorder in the oesophagus, making it difficult to swallow food and drink.
Soft tissue sarcoma
From complex cancer surgery to investigations, diagnostic tests and procedures, we provide exceptional cancer care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs)
NETs are rare cancerous tumours that develop in cells from the neuroendocrine system. If you're diagnosed with a NET, we can provide you with instant access to expert clinicians and world-class hospitals
Bowel issues
If you have issues with your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, they’ll affect the area that includes your large bowel (colon) and your anus.
Conditions that we treat include:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
From complex gastric surgery to diagnostic tests and procedures, we provide exceptional gastric care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Ulcerative colitis
A type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation in the rectum and colon
Crohn's disease
A type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn's disease is an inflammation of any part of your digestive tract - we can treat and relieve your symptoms.
Bowel cancer
If you have a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of bowel cancer, at HCA Healthcare UK you will receive exceptional care, from the very first moment we meet.
Haemorrhoids
Also known as piles, these swellings in or around your anus contain large blood vessels. They can be uncomfortable and itchy and sometimes bleed.
Abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR)
RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY TO FIX WEAKNESSES IN THE ABDOMEN
If previous surgery resulted in a damaged or infected area, HCA UK advises how abdominal wall reconstruction can help
Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) medicine
Our HPB specialists treats all conditions affecting your liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts.
The specific conditions we treat include:
Liver and hepatobiliary cancer
Expert treatment for cancers that can form in your liver, pancreas, gallbladder or bile ducts.
Acute liver disease
Hepatic disease. Acute liver disease includes conditions like acute hepatitis and acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP)
Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD)
FATTY LIVER DUE TO ALCOHOL INTAKE
Excess alcohol consumption damages your liver, but you may not have any symptoms until the harm to your liver is severe.
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)
Autoimmune liver disease, chronic inflammatory liver disease. Autoimmune hepatitis is when the immune system attacks the liver cells causing inflammation, cirrhosis and liver damage.
Cirrhosis
From complex liver surgery to test and diagnostic procedures, we provide exceptional HPB care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Liver fibrosis
Liver fibrosis is the scarring that occurs from the liver’s response to injury, which over time can lead to cirrhosis.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
From complex hepatic surgery to diagnostic tests and procedures, we provide exceptional hepatobiliary care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Pancreatic tumours
Causes and symptoms of pancreatic tumours. HCA UK experts can explain the symptoms of pancreatic tumours and offer advice on the treatments available.
Pancreatitis
From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Viral hepatitis A, B, C and D
Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus, it is infectious and can cause serious liver damage
Expert care for your child’s gut health
Perhaps your child regularly has tummy trouble that you’d like an expert to check out. Or they may have a more serious gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that needs advanced diagnostics and specialist advice. Either way, our multi-disciplinary team including leading paediatric gastroenterologists, nutritionists and radiologists is here for you and your child.
We care for every part of your child’s digestive system, from their oesophagus and stomach to their small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, liver, gallbladder and pancreas. From blood and bowel tests and state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging to complex GI procedures, we’ll help to quickly pinpoint what’s causing any symptoms and work with you to ensure that your child gets the right course of treatment for their condition.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Our patient’s stories
Adrian's story
'I first noticed something was wrong when I had pain in my stomach after eating.'
Adrian was on a three-month vacation with his wife, travelling across Europe, when he began to feel pain on the upper right-hand side of his stomach whilst staying in Scotland. On the journey Adrian’s pain worsened, so when he arrived in London he saw another doctor. After speaking to his travel insurer, he was authorised to see a specialist at HCA Healthcare UK.
An intestinal failure success story
“I’m six foot two and my average weight at the time was around nine and a half, or 10 stone. If you look back at old family photos, I'm skin and bone, you know?”
Jon, 58, is recalling his referral for surgery a little over 10 years ago. Having lived with Crohn's disease of the small intestine for most of his life, he was showing signs of intestinal failure (IF) and was becoming dangerously malnourished.
FAQs
Digestive health conditions affect your gastrointestinal tract including your oesophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. Our specialist team is here to help, and we offer focused and expert paediatric GI support too.
None of these symptoms are a sure sign that you have a gut problem, but you should consider seeing a gastroenterologist if you experience:
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Dyspepsia
- Dysphagia
- Faecal incontinence
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rectal bleeding
- Regurgitation
- Weight loss
Your gastroenterology specialist will ask about your medical history and the symptoms you’re experiencing, and they’ll also conduct a physical examination. They’ll arrange for you to have various tests that may include blood tests, stool tests and endoscopy tests too.
Together, this will help them to form a clear and accurate diagnosis.
Not necessarily, many digestive conditions can be manged without surgery. Surgery is usually only considered when non-surgical options have not worked. Your consultant will talk to you about your specific condition and recommend the best treatment pathway. Often medication or nutritional support can help to alleviate or eliminate your symptoms.
Yes, we do. Our team includes dieticians who’ll work closely with your GI specialist to provide expert guidance, tailored to your condition. This kind of integrated approach is often a very effective way to treat and manage digestive health issues.
“I’d recommend people listen to their instincts. We know our own bodies, and I knew something was wrong. The pain, the fever, and some vomiting – it just wasn’t right, and at HCA UK they really listened to me.”
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