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| Gastroenterology
Specialties P.C. is one of Nebraska’s largest private gastroenterology
practices. Gastroenterologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing
and treating disorders that involve the esophagus, stomach, gallbladder,
liver, pancreas, and intestines. Dr. David Dyke came to Lincoln in 1974. At the time, he was only the third gastroenterologist in Lincoln, he says. Dr. Dyke joined Lincoln’s first gastroenterologist, Dr. Joseph Stitcher who is now retired, and they formed Gastroenterology Specialties. The practice grew gradually and now has nine gastroenterologists practicing within the group. It was originally located downtown, but has had several office changes as the group grew larger. They are now located at 4545 R St. Of the nine physicians, seven are native Nebraskans. Dr. Dyke grew up in Lexington, Nebraska. The physicians care for Lincoln and the surrounding communities in Southeast Nebraska, and have done charity work for the People’s Clinic. “I think it’s important to give back to the community,” says Dr. Dyke. Lincoln Endoscopy Center is located in the same facility, and opened in July 1998. It was the first freestanding endoscopy center in Nebraska. Here physicians perform procedures such as colonoscopies, upper endoscopies, and flexible sigmoidoscopies in a facility in the same building as the clinic, which is convenient for patients. There are three surgical suites located in Lincoln Endoscopy Center, and they are all equipped with state-of-the-art Olympus equipment. The physicians also work at Lincoln’s hospitals including BryanLGH and St. Elizabeth, as well as Nebraska Heart Hospital. “We do certain procedures in the hospital, patients who have multiple medical issues,” Dr. Dyke explains. “There is a role for both facilities, I think.” Most of the patients at Gastroenterology Specialties are referred from a primary care physician who recognizes a medical problem and wants his or her patient to have a more specialized opinion. Dr. Dyke states that at the clinic they limit their practice to gastroenterology. This means that they work with physicians from other fields, whether it is the family doctor, a gynecologist, or another specialist, who has referred the patient. Since Gastroenterology Specialties is one of the largest gastroenterology practices in the Midwest, they service a larger area than just the city of Lincoln. “We also see a lot of patients from greater Nebraska, and we appreciate being involved in the care of patients,” Dr. Dyke says. Although Gastroenterology Specialties treats a myriad of disorders and diseases, one of their most important goals is to aid in the prevention of colon cancer. Dr. Dyke says the disease can be deadly because although some patients have symptoms, most do not until the cancer is well-advanced. “The cases we want to discover are the ones that haven’t become symptomatic,” Dr. Dyke states. “It depends on the location of the tumor as to whether or not the patient will have early symptoms.” Some patients have symptoms such as bleeding, pain, bloating, anemia, or a change in bowel habits. “We also want to take a step back further to the point where we want to find that polyp before it evolves into a malignancy. There is often a 10-year time line lag between polyp formation and colon cancer.” As part of their goal to prevent colon cancer before it begins, Dr. Dyke recommends that an average person without symptoms and with a negative family history for colon cancer begin their screenings at the age of 50. If there is a family history, it is often recommended to start screenings 10 years earlier. The physicians take an individualized approach, depending on each person’s individual and family medical history. Dr. Dyke says the clinic also monitors patients very closely for esophageal cancer. They also monitor for a complication of acid reflux disease called Barrett’s metaplasia, as well as for other therapeutic measures such as patients who have strictures in their esophagus. Strictures can occur on the esophagus for a variety of reasons, ranging from cancer and gastroesophageal reflux disease to medication and radiation injuries. Dr. Dyke says strictures can form from any sort of inflammation of the esophagus and are sometimes caused by certain types of medications dissolve in the esophagus. The physicians at Gastroenterology Specialties also treat patients for inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and liver disorders. “We have interests throughout the GI tract,” says Dr. Dyke. There have been a lot of new developments in the field of gastroenterology since Dr. Dyke began practicing. “There are a lot of things going on in the field of therapeutic endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasounds.” Doctors can now document tumors in the pancreas with this technology, which is very important since pancreatic cancer is on the rise along with colon cancer. “The endoscopic ultrasound really shows the evolution of the specialty.” Dr. Dyke says the practice of medicine has also changed a great deal since he first moved here. The field has changed, the city has expanded, and the practice has needed to grow and evolve to respond to these challenges. Dr. Dyke says the field of gastroenterology can be a very fun and rewarding field in which to work. “It’s been gratifying in terms of the people we’ve been able to help,” he states. “One goal for me is that I have to assess the whole patient and as quickly as I can, as their personality can affect their presenting symptoms, as there are no tests for functional disorders.” Many patients may present with symptoms, brought on by psychophysiologic stress as opposed to true organic disease. “These symptoms need to be dealt with too,” he says. If you or a loved one are having symptoms of a gastrointestinal disorder, you might want to give the doctors at Gastroenterology Specialties a call at 465-4545. For more information you may visit their Web site at: www.gidocs.net/. |
Gastroenterology |
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