Neurogastroenterology and Pelvic Floor

The Neuro-Gastroenterology and Pelvic Floor Unit at Shaare Zedek specializes in diagnosing and treating functional and motor disorders in the digestive system.

These can be divided into two main groups:

The first group includes disorders caused by over-sensitivity in the digestive system, malfunctions along the route between the brain and the digestive system, or problems in the digestive system’s immunological mechanisms. For example, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Functional Dyspepsia (FD – stomach pains), chronic abdominal pains and related pains in the chest.

The second group includes motor disorders such as Achalasia (when the muscles of the lower part of the esophagus fail to relax, preventing food from passing into the stomach), Gastroparesis (when the stomach cannot empty itself normally), and Intestinal Pseudo Obstruction.

The Unit also treats proctological (connected to anus and rectum) and pelvic floor issues, such as chronic pain, itching in the anal area, constipation, fecal leakage (often accompanied by urine leakage), piles, rectal prolapse, anal fissures and fistulas, and more.

Staff are able to employ some of the most advanced diagnostic tools available and offer you treatments specifically adapted to your situation. These can be new drugs-based protocols, behavioral therapies, physiotherapy, surgery, or whatever is deemed best for you. We can also offer patients complementary treatments through the Integrated Center for Complementary Medicine.

The Unit is part of the multi-disciplinary Surgical-Gastro Unit which includes gastro specialists, surgeons, physiotherapists, a clinical psychologist and a dietician. We also work very closely with Uro-Gynecology, Obstetrics, Geriatrics and Otolaryngology (ENT).