Dr. Louis-Charles Rioux

Dr. Louis-Charles Rioux diagnoses and treats a wide range of digestive system disorders, including:

Small & Large Intestine (Colorectal) Disorders

• Diverticular Disease (Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis, Diverticular Bleeding): Diverticulosis is the presence of small pouches (diverticula) in the colon wall. Diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of these pouches. Diverticular bleeding can also occur.
• Microscopic Colitis (Lymphocytic & Collagenous Colitis): Inflammation of the colon that is only visible under a microscope when biopsies are examined, a common cause of chronic watery diarrhea, particularly in older adults.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Focus

• Crohn's Disease (Ileal, Colonic, Ileocolonic, Perianal): A chronic inflammatory condition that can affect any part of the digestive tract from mouth to anus, causing transmural (full-thickness) inflammation, pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and potential complications like strictures or fistulas.
• Microscopic Colitis (often considered alongside IBD for chronic diarrhea): Though distinct from classic IBD, it's an inflammatory condition of the colon diagnosed by biopsy, causing chronic watery diarrhea.

Functional Gastrointestinal & Motility Disorders

• Gastroparesis (Delayed Gastric Emptying): A condition that affects the normal spontaneous movement of the muscles (motility) in your stomach, preventing proper and timely emptying of stomach contents, leading to nausea, vomiting, and fullness.
• Functional Dyspepsia & Epigastric Pain Syndrome: Persistent or recurrent pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen (dyspepsia) or specifically in the epigastric region, without an identifiable structural cause after investigation.
• Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome: A disorder characterized by recurrent, stereotypical episodes of intense nausea and vomiting lasting for hours or days, with symptom-free intervals in between.

This list is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific digestive condition, please consult with Dr. Louis-Charles Rioux.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Comprehensive Diagnosis & Management (including subtypes IBS-D, IBS-C, IBS-M): Multifaceted approach to managing IBS symptoms (abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, mixed pattern) including thorough exclusion of other conditions, dietary modifications (e.g., low FODMAP diet), lifestyle changes, stress management, and targeted medications.
• Gastrointestinal Motility Disorder Evaluation & Management Coordination: Initial evaluation of symptoms suggestive of GI motility disorders (e.g., gastroparesis, achalasia, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction), with coordination for specialized testing like esophageal manometry, antroduodenal manometry, wireless motility capsule, or gastric emptying studies, and subsequent management strategies.
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) with Fine Needle Aspiration/Biopsy (FNA/FNB): Procedure combining endoscopy with ultrasound to obtain high-resolution images and tissue samples (FNA/FNB) of the digestive tract wall, surrounding organs (pancreas, liver, adrenal glands, gallbladder), and lymph nodes for staging cancers or diagnosing lesions.
• Upper Endoscopy (EGD - Esophagogastroduodenoscopy) with Biopsy & Interventions: Diagnostic and therapeutic procedure to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using a flexible tube with a camera. Allows for targeted biopsies, polyp removal (polypectomy), dilation of strictures, control of bleeding (hemostasis), and foreign body removal.
• Endoscopic Hemostasis for Acute & Chronic GI Bleeding: Various endoscopic techniques (e.g., injection therapy, thermal coagulation/APC, mechanical clips, hemostatic sprays) used to stop acute or recurrent bleeding from ulcers, varices, angiodysplasias, or tumors in the GI tract.
• Comprehensive Gastroenterology Consultation & Digestive Health Assessment: In-depth assessment of digestive system disorders, including detailed review of medical history, family history, lifestyle factors, physical examination, symptom analysis, and development of a personalized diagnostic and treatment strategy.
• Chromoendoscopy & Advanced Imaging Techniques (e.g., NBI, FICE): Use of special dye sprays (chromoendoscopy) or electronic light filters (Narrow Band Imaging, Fuji Intelligent Chromo Endoscopy) during endoscopy to enhance visualization of mucosal patterns and improve detection of subtle lesions or precancerous changes.

Note: This list provides a general overview. Specific procedures and treatments are determined after a thorough evaluation. Discuss with Dr. Rioux for care relevant to your specific condition.

All medical and surgical services (if applicable) are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) and relevant gastroenterological care guidelines. Contact the clinic or your referring physician regarding new patient intake and referral processes.

Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, situated in Montréal's areas near central Montréal, serves as a major medical facility with a dedicated Gastroenterology unit. The hospital is easily accessible via the Decarie Square shopping area and Major North-South Expressway. Public transit options include the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), with convenient access via Metro and Bus routes. The hospital's facility is wheelchair accessible, ensuring barrier-free access for all patients. Parking is available at or near the hospital, providing ease of access for patients arriving by car. This location is a key hub for specialized digestive health care within the Montréal community, offering comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services in a modern, patient-friendly environment.

Are consultations and procedures like endoscopies with Dr. Rioux, a Gastroenterologist, covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC?

Medically necessary consultations with a licensed Gastroenterologist like Dr. Rioux, as well as most diagnostic procedures (e.g., endoscopies for investigating symptoms, biopsies for medical reasons) and treatments for provincially insured digestive conditions (e.g., IBD, celiac disease, screening colonoscopies as per provincial guidelines, liver disease management), are generally covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC when a referral from a family doctor or another specialist is in place. Procedures considered purely for screening outside of guidelines, or for non-medical reasons, and some advanced technologies or specific drug therapies might have different coverage. It's crucial to discuss coverage specifics for any proposed treatment or procedure with Dr. Rioux's office, the hospital/clinic's financial services, or Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) beforehand.

Do I need a referral from my family doctor to see Dr. Rioux, a Gastroenterologist?

Yes, in nearly all cases, a referral from your family physician or another specialist (such as an internist or surgeon) is required to schedule an appointment with a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Rioux for services covered by the provincial health plan. Gastroenterological issues often require initial assessment and preliminary investigations by your primary care provider. The referral ensures that a specialist consultation is appropriate, helps with prioritizing appointments, and facilitates coordinated care, including the transfer of relevant medical information.

How does a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Rioux approach the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

The management of IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) by a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Rioux is a highly individualized and long-term process. The primary goals are to induce and then maintain remission (control inflammation), alleviate symptoms, prevent complications, and improve the patient's overall quality of life. Treatment strategies often involve a combination of medications, which can include aminosalicylates (5-ASAs), corticosteroids (for acute flare-ups), immunomodulators (e.g., azathioprine, methotrexate), and increasingly, biologic therapies or small molecule drugs that target specific inflammatory pathways. Regular monitoring through clinical assessment, blood tests, stool tests (like fecal calprotectin), and endoscopic procedures is crucial to track disease activity and adjust treatment as needed. Nutritional counseling and lifestyle advice are also integral parts of comprehensive IBD care.

What are common reasons someone would be referred to a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Rioux?

Referral to a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Rioux is common for various reasons, including: persistent heartburn or acid reflux (GERD); difficulty or pain when swallowing; unexplained abdominal pain or bloating; chronic nausea or vomiting; significant changes in bowel habits (e.g., chronic diarrhea, severe constipation); blood in the stool or rectal bleeding; iron deficiency anemia with no obvious cause; suspected or diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis); Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) not responding to initial management; celiac disease; abnormal liver function tests or suspected liver disease (like hepatitis or fatty liver); pancreatitis; or for screening and surveillance colonoscopies to prevent colorectal cancer, especially if there's a family history or personal history of polyps.

What are some common procedures a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Rioux typically performs?

Gastroenterologists like Dr. Rioux are highly skilled in performing a range of endoscopic procedures. The most common are upper endoscopy (also called EGD or gastroscopy) to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, and colonoscopy to visualize the entire colon. During these procedures, He can take biopsies (small tissue samples for analysis), remove polyps (which can prevent colon cancer), dilate narrowed areas (strictures), control bleeding, and place feeding tubes. Other procedures may include flexible sigmoidoscopy (examining the lower colon), capsule endoscopy (swallowing a tiny camera to see the small intestine), and more specialized interventions like ERCP or EUS depending on their training and practice focus. Many also specialize in managing specific areas like hepatology (liver disease) or IBD.

What exactly does a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Rioux specialize in?

A Gastroenterologist, often called a GI specialist, is a medical doctor who has undergone extensive specialized training beyond medical school and internal medicine residency to diagnose, treat, and manage diseases of the entire digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) system. This includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon (large intestine), rectum, anus, as well as associated organs like the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. He is a Gastroenterologist specializing in the comprehensive medical and procedural management of digestive system disorders. Dr. Rioux is skilled in performing endoscopic procedures (like gastroscopy and colonoscopy) for both diagnosis and treatment, interpreting complex diagnostic tests, and developing comprehensive management plans for a wide variety of acute and chronic digestive health issues.

Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont
5415 boul de l'Assomption, Pav Maisonneuve
Montréal, QC H1T 2M4

Phone: (514) 252-3400 | Fax: (514) 252-3885

The facility is wheelchair accessible.

Dr. Rioux is a licensed Gastroenterologist regulated by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) under the Medical Act in QC. A referral from a family physician or appropriate specialist is typically required for consultations with Dr. Rioux for services covered by the provincial health plan.

Verify registration with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=87286