Dr. Van Vu Nguyen

Dr. Van Vu Nguyen 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.
• Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE): A chronic immune system disease characterized by a buildup of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the esophagus, causing inflammation, difficulty swallowing, food impaction, and chest pain.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Focus

• 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.
• Indeterminate Colitis & IBD-Unclassified (IBD-U): Cases of IBD, particularly early in the disease course, where it is difficult to definitively distinguish between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis based on clinical, endoscopic, and histological features.

Small & Large Intestine (Colorectal) Disorders

• Gastrointestinal Bleeding (Obscure & Overt): Bleeding anywhere along the digestive tract, which can be visible (overt) or hidden (occult/obscure), requiring investigation to identify and treat the source.
• 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.

This list is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific digestive condition, please consult with Dr. Van Vu Nguyen.

• 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.
• 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.
• Management of Functional Dyspepsia & Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome: Diagnosis and management of chronic upper abdominal pain or discomfort (dyspepsia) or generalized abdominal pain without an identifiable structural cause, often involving lifestyle, dietary, and neuromodulator therapies.
• Interpretation & Correlation of Advanced Digestive Health Diagnostic Tests: Expert analysis and clinical correlation of results from endoscopies, biopsies, imaging studies (CT, MRI, MRCP, ultrasound), breath tests (e.g., for H. pylori, SIBO, lactose intolerance), stool tests (e.g., calprotectin, FIT), motility studies, and genetic testing for GI conditions.
• 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.
• Management of Chronic Constipation & Chronic Diarrhea (idiopathic & secondary): Systematic investigation into underlying causes (including motility testing where appropriate) and tailored treatment strategies for persistent constipation or diarrhea not attributed to other major GI diseases.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy with Biopsy: Examination of the lower part of the colon (sigmoid colon and rectum) using a flexible sigmoidoscope, often for evaluation of rectal bleeding, diarrhea, or as part of some screening protocols.

Note: This list provides a general overview. Specific procedures and treatments are determined after a thorough evaluation. Discuss with Dr. Nguyen 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.

Centre Hospitalier Pierre Boucher is situated in Longueuil's Vieux-Longueuil (Longueuil West) neighborhood, serving as a vital medical facility within the hospital complex. The location is easily accessible via the Longueuil Metro Station Area and Major Arterial Road, with convenient access through public transit provided by the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL). The facility is wheelchair accessible, ensuring ease of access for all patients. Parking is available at or near the hospital, facilitating a seamless visit for individuals coming by car. This setting plays a crucial role in delivering specialized digestive health services to the community in a modern, patient-friendly environment.

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

Medically necessary consultations with a licensed Gastroenterologist like Dr. Nguyen, 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. Nguyen'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. Nguyen, 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. Nguyen 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. Nguyen approach the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

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

Centre Hospitalier Pierre Boucher
1333 boul Jacques-Cartier E
Longueuil, QC J4M 2A5

Phone: (450) 468-8111 | Fax: (450) 647-6755

The facility is wheelchair accessible.

Dr. Nguyen 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. Nguyen 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=95351