Eric Gershon, MD, is a pediatric gastroenterologist and neurogastroenterologist and specializes in disorders involving the complex connections between the brain and gastrointestinal tract.
“Not all gastrointestinal symptoms are from the actual lining of the GI tract. They can be from the nerves surrounding the tract,” Dr. Gershon explains. “So it’s important to not only think about what’s going on inside the colon or the small intestine, but in the nerves surrounding them. Years ago, we used to rule out many different GI disorders prior to considering conditions in the gut–brain interaction. But now we know more what to look out for and can pursue appropriate therapy sooner.
Dr. Gershon treats a variety conditions including irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia, a type of chronic indigestion. He says he enjoys the collaborative care patients are offered when they come to see him. “Our team includes nutritionists and GI psychologists who are incredible in helping patients with chronic pain,” he says. “We make sure our patients feel heard and that we address all the concerns they may have.”
One of the most rewarding parts of his job, Dr. Gershon says, is making kids feel better and getting them back to their regular lives.
“Every day we get kids back to school, playing sports, going to prom, or going on vacation and no longer avoiding foods because of symptoms,” he says.
