Dr. Elinor Zhou is a gastroenterologist who provides care for general digestive disorders including colon cancer screening and prevention, GERD, dyspepsia, altered bowel habits and abdominal pain.
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, includes disorders that cause inflammation of the intestines. IBD is treated at Mercy by expert gastroenterologists.
Our Center offers physician expertise with a dedication to advancing services and treatments for neurological disorders and neuromuscular diseases.
Mercy offers emergency care on the Downtown Baltimore campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (410-332-9477) with access to a trained emergency medicine team, diagnostic services and consultations with specialists.
In case of an Emergency, Dial 911 and follow the instructions of the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) team.
Mercy Medical Center's downtown campus includes our Main Hospital - The Mary Catherine Bunting Center, McAuley Plaza and The Weinberg Center.
General visiting hours at Mercy are 11:00 am to 8:30 pm. Hours vary by floor, please check with the nursing staff or call 410-332-9555.
Paracentesis, a simple technique of removing excess fluid from the abdomen in a safe manner, is offered at The Melissa L. Posner Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Disease at Mercy. The Institute is dedicated to providing patients with the best treatment options available for liver and GI diseases.
Paracentesis, also known as an abdominal tap, is used to remove excess fluid from the abdomen. It also can be used to remove a small sample of abdominal fluid for diagnosis. Excess abdominal fluid is often associated with cirrhosis and less commonly with heart failure, cancer and kidney disease.
Before paracentesis is performed, an area on the skin of the abdomen is cleaned and numbing medicine (lidocaine) is applied. During paracentesis, a needle is inserted into the abdomen with ultrasound guidance to extract fluid from the abdominal cavity. In people with cirrhosis, albumin is also given intravenously during the procedure to protect from kidney damage. The procedure is performed in our dedicated endoscopy suite. When performed as an outpatient procedure, patients typically go home the same day.
Paracentesis can be recommended when there is a buildup of fluid in the abdomen causing discomfort, or when a physician needs a sample of abdominal fluid for diagnosis.
Experienced colon and rectal surgeon Dr. Jeffery Nelson serves as the Surgical Director of Mercy's Center for Inflammatory Bowel and Colorectal Diseases.
Smokers who quit have a 65 percent lower risk of a Crohn's disease flare-up and are less likely to need steroids or other medications.