Dr. Paul Leslie Beck

Dr. Paul Beck diagnoses and treats a wide range of digestive system disorders, including:

Esophageal, Stomach & Upper GI Disorders

• Dysphagia (Difficulty Swallowing) & Odynophagia (Painful Swallowing): Symptoms requiring investigation to determine underlying causes, which can range from structural abnormalities and motility disorders to inflammatory conditions or tumors.
• Esophageal Motility Disorders (e.g., Achalasia, Esophageal Spasms, Nutcracker Esophagus): Disorders affecting the coordinated muscle movements of the esophagus required for swallowing, leading to symptoms like dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), chest pain, and regurgitation.

Functional Gastrointestinal & Motility Disorders

• 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.
• Rumination Syndrome: A condition in which people repeatedly and unintentionally spit up (regurgitate) undigested or partially digested food from the stomach, rechew it, and then reswallow it or spit it out.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Focus

• Ulcerative Colitis (Proctitis, Left-sided Colitis, Pancolitis): A chronic inflammatory condition that causes inflammation and ulcers primarily in the lining of the large intestine (colon and rectum), typically presenting with bloody diarrhea, urgency, and abdominal pain.
• 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.

This list is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific digestive condition, please consult with Dr. Paul Beck.

• 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.
• 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.
• Colonoscopy (Screening, Diagnostic, Surveillance) & Polypectomy: Comprehensive examination of the entire colon (large intestine) using a colonoscope to detect and remove precancerous polyps, screen for and diagnose colorectal cancer, evaluate symptoms, and diagnose other colonic conditions like colitis or diverticular disease.
• Personalized Nutritional Assessment & Medical Dietary Therapy for GI Conditions: Evaluation of nutritional status and provision of evidence-based dietary advice and medical nutrition therapy tailored to specific gastrointestinal disorders like IBD, IBS, celiac disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, gastroparesis, or food intolerances, often in collaboration with registered dietitians.
• Management of Common & Chronic Digestive Symptoms: Investigating and treating common but potentially disruptive digestive symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, excessive gas, constipation, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and unexplained weight loss.
• Second Opinion Consultations for Complex Digestive Diseases: Providing expert second opinions on challenging or rare gastrointestinal diagnoses, unclear test results, and proposed complex treatment plans, including for IBD, liver disease, and pancreatic disorders.
• 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.

Note: This list provides a general overview. Specific procedures and treatments are determined after a thorough evaluation. Discuss with Dr. Beck 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 College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and relevant gastroenterological care guidelines. Contact the clinic or your referring physician regarding new patient intake and referral processes.

Located in a gastroenterology clinic within a hospital department in Calgary's NW: Hillhurst, Westmount, Sunnyside (Kensington) neighborhood, the facility connects NW and SW areas of the city. It is easily accessible via Calgary Transit (CTrain LRT, Bus, BRT), with the hospital being a key medical facility in the region. The building is wheelchair accessible to accommodate all patients. Paid parking options are conveniently located nearby, ensuring ease of access for patients attending appointments. This specialized unit functions as a vital component of the hospital's digestive health services, offering advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in a comfortable environment.

Are consultations and procedures like endoscopies with Dr. Beck, a Gastroenterologist, covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB?

Medically necessary consultations with a licensed Gastroenterologist like Dr. Beck, 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 Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB 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. Beck's office, the hospital/clinic's financial services, or Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) beforehand.

Do I need a referral from my family doctor to see Dr. Beck, 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. Beck 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.

Will I be asleep for my endoscopy or colonoscopy with Dr. Beck?

For most endoscopic procedures like upper endoscopy (gastroscopy) and colonoscopy, patients are typically given sedation to help them relax and be comfortable. This is often called 'conscious sedation' or 'moderate sedation,' meaning you'll be drowsy and may not remember much of the procedure, but you won't be under general anesthesia (completely unconscious with a breathing tube). The specific type and level of sedation can vary and will be discussed with you by Dr. Beck or the anesthesia provider beforehand. Because of the sedation, you will need to have someone accompany you to drive you home after the procedure.

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

The management of IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) by a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Beck 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.

How does Dr. Beck approach treating functional GI disorders like IBS or functional dyspepsia?

Treating functional GI disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or functional dyspepsia often involves a multi-faceted approach tailored by Dr. Beck to your specific symptoms and triggers. Since these conditions don't have a structural cause seen on tests, management focuses on symptom relief and improving quality of life. This may include dietary modifications (like identifying trigger foods or trying a low FODMAP diet for IBS), lifestyle adjustments (stress management, regular exercise), fiber supplements, over-the-counter remedies, and prescription medications. Medications can target specific symptoms like pain (antispasmodics), diarrhea (anti-diarrheals), constipation (laxatives), or abnormal gut-brain interaction (neuromodulators in low doses). He will work with you to find the most effective combination of strategies.

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

Referral to a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Beck 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.

3330 Hospital Dr NW, Area 2
Calgary, AB T2N 4N1

Phone: (403) 875-0357 | Website: http://www.macleodtrailplasticsurgery.ca/

The facility is wheelchair accessible.

Dr. Beck is a licensed Gastroenterologist regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) under the Health Professions Act in AB. A referral from a family physician or appropriate specialist is typically required for consultations with Dr. Beck for services covered by the provincial health plan.

Verify registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA): https://search.cpsa.ca/PhysicianProfile?e=4753dfa8-98b6-4762-a7a4-914dec4841b3&i=153