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Internal Medicine

Neurology Department

The neurology department treats problems of the brain and nervous system ranging from symptoms like headache, dizziness and numbness and also the effects of strokes and cerebral hemorrhages.  The brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles and even sensory organs are treated in this department not through surgery, but by internal medical techniques.  Conditions that are frequently handled here include stroke, epilepsy, meningitis, encephalitis, Parkinson’s disease, spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), all types of headache, dementia, peripheral nerve disorders, and related muscle conditions.
In coordination with the Radiology Department, we provide the highest level of medical care for these illnesses.  We work together with our Rehabilitation Department, as well, to smoothly move patients from the critical phase of their care into recovery.
On an outpatient basis, we frequently treat most types of difficult nerve diseases, dementia, epilepsy and other nerve-related disorders with a team of veteran specialists.

Gastroenterology Department

Gastrointestinal Section

This section handles the testing and treatment of disorders related to the stomach, esophagus, duodenum, small intestine and large intestine.  We perform all related forms of testing, such as upper endoscopy of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (passing a flexible camera through the nose or mouth), and lower endoscopy of the rectum and large intestine (passing a flexible camera through the anus) in this department.  We also frequently handle other endoscopic procedures, such as treatment of bleeding duodenal ulcers and removal of foreign objects or polyps.  Genetic testing to accurately diagnose predisposition to H. pylori related ulcers and other disorders, something which has gained increased attention in recent years, is also handled.  Some of the more advanced treatments we can perform include sterilization procedures to combat not just standard ulcers, but MALT lymphomas and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).  And we have put together an outpatient program for treating those who suffer from ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease, two forms of inflammatory bowel conditions that are unfortunately increasing in frequency globally.  Our IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) program is staffed by specialists who not only can treat the condition based on the latest science, but assist patients with lifestyle advice, and it has been well-received by patients.  This program is the largest in the Ryomo area of northern Kanto.

Hepatology Section

The specialists here in liver, gall bladder and pancreatic disorders are routinely treating patients with common forms of hepatitis (type B, type C, chronic, acute, fulminant), but are also involved in helping those with other less-common conditions such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and hemochromatosis.  What’s more, for sufferers of chronic type C hepatitis, following careful evaluation, we can employ appropriate interferon treatments in a program designed to reduce side effects and increase efficacy.  Malignant hepatoma (the most common form of liver cancer) can be treated here with more common techniques, as well as with interventional radiology (IR or IVR) and paracentesis (puncture therapy).  And for malignant hepatoma patients for whom surgery is not an option, molecularly targeted therapies can sometimes be possible depending on the condition of their liver.
 
Bile duct infections, obstructions and other conditions, along with the related jaundice are treated routinely in the section using a number of diversified drainage and other techniques, such as percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) or percutaneous transhepatic gall bladder drainage (PTGBD) to clear obstructive jaundice, endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) or endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) as gall stone treatments, or insertion of stents in treatment for bile duct cancer.  In addition, we carry out pancreatic enzyme inhibitor and sustained antibiotic arterial infusion therapy for patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Nephrology Department

Our department is frequently visited by patients who:
 
  • Had proteinuria (protein in their urine) reported during a cold or a health checkup and a second positive result after a follow-up check
  • Have proteinuria, bloating and a weight increase, with lower frequency of urination
  • Had a blood test and were told their kidney function was poor (high creatinine, etc.)
  • Have diabetes, high blood pressure or proteinuria or poor kidney function
  • Were recommended by another institution to have dialysis treatments
  • Are already undergoing dialysis and are being hospitalized here for treatment of a related condition
  • Have a relative with kidney disease, and are worried about their own condition
 
We carry out a full examination and testing of patients like these, and if a kidney-related condition is confirmed, we will propose and carry out the best course of treatment we can.  If testing is required for an accurate diagnosis, specialists on our staff can perform renal biopsies as well as more standard testing such blood examinations, x-rays, CT scans, ultrasound, MRIs and radioisotope scans. Typical conditions that are frequently treated in our department include IgA nephropathy and other types of chronic glomerulonephritis, minimal change disease (lipoid nephrosis), membranous nephropathy and other nephrotic syndrome conditions, diabetic nephropathy, nephropathy caused by connective tissue diseases or vasculitis, and all treatments and side effects related to the use of dialysis.  Of course, we strive to help patients avoid the need for dialysis -- including with the use of immunosuppressive therapies when indicated -- but if there is no other treatment choice, our hospital can provide hemodialysis (HD), hemodiafiltration (HDF) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) (see related page on our dialysis center).  All of these treatments are carried out by medical care teams of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists and social workers coordinating as teams to provide the best comprehensive recovery plan possible for the patient.

Rheumatology & Connective Tissue Disease

Connective tissue diseases can affect the organs of the body as well as the skin, blood vessels and joints, causing inflammation and pain.  The cause of most of these diseases is still not understood.  Conditions we often treat here at the hospital include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis/inflammatory myopathy, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD or Sharp’s syndrome), Sjögren's syndrome (SS), polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and vasculitis.  Most of these conditions typically cuase pain and inflammation in joints and muscles, dry mouth, mild fever, skin rashes and lesions and other conditions.  Tests will generally reveal immune system disorders or inflammation related to the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs)  or related causes.
 
Naturally, we strive to provide the best medical care possible for patients of these conditions.  For arthritis sufferers, we employ cytokine treatments as well as the latest biologic agents.  In addition, for other connective tissue disorders, steroids have commonly used over the years, but new treatment regimens that employs biopharmaceuticals and autoimmune suppression treatments are emerging, and we are very proactive in their use.
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