Dr. Eric Tibesar, MD
Gastroenterologist (Pediatric) | Gastroenterology
8402 Harcourt Rd. #402 Indianapolis IN, 46260Rating
5/5
About
Dr. Eric Tibesar is a gastroenterologist practicing in Indianapolis, IN. Dr. Tibesar specializes in the digestive system and its diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract, which include organs from the mouth to the anus as well as liver disorders. Gastroenterology includes conditions such as hepatitis, peptic ulcer disease, colitis, nutritional problems and irritable bowel syndrome. Dr. Tibesar performs colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures and provides accurate and thorough care for patients suffering from digestive issues.
Education and Training
University of Ia Roy J & L Carver Com 2008
Board Certification
Pediatric Gastroenterology (Pediatrics)
PediatricsAmerican Board of PediatricsABP
Provider Details
Dr. Eric Tibesar, MD's Expert Contributions
What causes colic pain in small kids?
Colic is typically something that young infants usually suffer from and typically lasts only a few weeks and goes away on its own. We still have no good explanation as to what causes colic in babies. When children get older, colic pain can be from a variety of sources including acid reflux, muscle spasms, chronic constipation or a disconnect between the nerve fibers in the stomach and the brain, commonly referred to as functional pain syndrome. READ MORE
My daughter has celiac disease, and is having trouble with the gluten-free diet. What do you recommend?
Hello and thank you for your question. I wish I had a better answer to this because I know that the gluten-free diet can be very unappealing for many patients. What I would suggest doing is if there is a local dietitian you can speak with, they may be able to have better options for you so that she can enjoy her food and still be on a gluten-free diet. There are also lots of online websites with groups that you can join (like Facebook groups) that share lots of different gluten-free recipes. I would suggest giving them a try. READ MORE
When should you not take Imodium?
Imodium is a medicine that is commonly taken to treat chronic diarrhea. It should not be used for constipation because it can actually make your symptoms much, much worse. The only other contraindications to taking Imodium would be if you have a serious intestinal infection that causes a lot of diarrhea. If you take Imodium while you are infected, then the body is not getting rid of the infection and again, things will get much, much worse. READ MORE
Why do I feel bloated all the time?
Bloating can be caused by a lot of different things including certain types of foods as well as acid reflux. Foods which commonly cause bloating are ones that are very high in certain types of sugar such as sucrose, fructose or even lactose. The body has a hard time digesting these sugars and then it gets converted into gas thus causing the bloating. READ MORE
How can celiac disease be diagnosed?
Celiac disease affects approximately 1% of the population and can be diagnosed with a combination of specific blood tests as well as an endoscopy with a biopsy of the small intestine. It is extremely important and necessary that the patient be eating gluten at the time of the test in order for the results to be accurate. Symptoms of celiac disease vary but can include chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, vitamin deficiencies, weight loss and failure to thrive in children. READ MORE
What can I give my child for acid reflux?
There are certainly many different options for treatment of acid reflux in a child. This depends mostly on the age of the child. For infants and very young toddlers who cannot swallow pills, there are liquid acid reflux medication such as omeprazole and lansoprazole as well as powdered medications such as esomeprazole that can be mixed with formula or milk. For older children, it is safe to give over-the-counter Tums or Pepto-Bismol but they can also take the pill formulation of the medicines listed above. READ MORE
How long does it take for food to digest after overeating?
On average, after roughly 1 hour, the stomach typically will digest and empty about 10% of what was ingested. A normal stomach will digest and empty over 90% of its contents after 4 hours. READ MORE
Why is my daughter passing black stools?
Typically dark, black and very sticky stools can indicate a little bit of blood that may be coming from the gastrointestinal tract. Dark stools like the one you are describing are usually from a bleed that is in the upper part of her intestinal tract, specifically near the stomach. This can come from many different sources such as acid reflux, stomach ulcer, stomach polyp, food allergy, or tears in the esophagus called Mallory-Weiss tears. I would recommend that she be seen right away by her primary care provider and testing be done on the stool to see if she really has blood in the stool or not. READ MORE
Is constipation in children normal?
Well, constipation is not necessarily normal but it is something that is seen in a lot of children in the United States. This is mainly due to a combination of poor diet as well as some behavioral issues, such as stool withholding behaviors. The best treatment for children of all ages is to make sure that they are drinking lots of water, eating plenty of fiber in the diet and sitting on the toilet regularly every day to try to have a bowel movement. Sometimes laxatives and enemas are necessary but should not be done without the direction of your doctor or a specialist. READ MORE
Is gas pain in children a symptom of covid-19?
This is a difficult question to answer because as it stands right now, we do not know if this is a symptom of COVID-19. We do know that some gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and liver inflammation, are symptoms of the infection but it is unknown if gas pain is included with these. However, the main symptoms to look out for include fever, chronic cough, difficulty breathing and general fatigue. If your child has any of these symptoms, call your family physician or pediatrician right away and determine if he or she needs to be tested. READ MORE
Why does everything I eat give me gas?
There can be many reasons that different foods in the diet can cause gas pain or bloating in patients. Patients with acid reflux can have problems with a lot of gas because the excessive amount of acid produced in their stomach can cause this as a symptom. Some people have a tough time breaking down certain carbohydrates or sugars in the diet, such as lactose, sucrose or fructose and this can present as gas with bloating. Sometimes, certain patients can have a simple sensitivity to different types of foods such as dairy or gluten and simply need to avoid these foods to help with their symptoms. I would suggest working out a treatment plan with your family doctor or pediatrician and consider referral to a specialist for further evaluation. READ MORE
Can an endoscopy detect GERD?
Yes, an endoscopy can sometimes detect GERD in certain patients. The main goal of an endoscopy is to assess the tissue for signs of damage or possible allergic reaction to some food in the diet. Also, an endoscopy can treat certain things such as stomach ulcers or any narrowing in the throat that may need to be stretched. However, many times an endoscopy can be normal but the patient can still be suffering from GERD so other tests may be necessary to make a definitive diagnosis. READ MORE
How do you know if your child has food allergies?
Food allergies can be challenging to diagnose in children but several tests are available. There are blood tests that can detect certain types of foods and an allergy specialist will do a test on the skin called a skin prick test to also detect signs of allergies. It can be difficult to interpret these tests because different ages can have different normal values so it would be better to have these tests done by a specialist. READ MORE
What foods to avoid if you have gastritis?
The main foods that are recommended to avoid with gastritis include spicy foods, greasy foods, fried foods, caffeine and alcohol. Eating a diet with plenty of protein, non-processed foods and lots of water as well as following the treatment guidelines from your specialist can help with healing and improve your symptoms. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Awards
- Top Doctor of Indianapolis 2 topdoctor.com
Professional Memberships
- Indianapolis Medical Society
- North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
- American Gastroenterological Association
- American College of Gastroenterology
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Indiana Chapter
Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors
- St Jude
- St Vincent Foundation
Fellowships
- Johns Hopkins Children's Hospital
Professional Society Memberships
- NASPGHAN, AMA, AAP, AGA
Favorite Place to Vacation
- Hawaii
Hobbies / Sports
- golf, running, weight lifting
Favorite professional publications
- Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Dr. Eric Tibesar, MD's Practice location
Mayo Clinic Gastroenterology & Hepatology
200 1st St SW -Rochester, MN 55905Get Direction
Dr. Eric Tibesar, MD's reviews
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Media Releases
Get to know Pediatric Gastroenterologist Dr. Eric Tibesar, who serves patients in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Dr. Tibesar is a thriving pediatric gastroenterologist with special interests in esophageal reflux, food allergies, and nutrition. He can be found on staff at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists and GI nurse practitioners at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital treat children (newborn to age 18) with family-centered care. This group specializes in the diagnosis and management of diseases and disorders that affect the gut, including nutrition disorders. They are highly experienced and knowledgeable about all types of disorders and how to provide medical care that minimizes pain, discomfort, or anxiety in the child.
A 2008 graduate of the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Dr. Tibesar completed his residency in pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He then went on to complete his fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
Among the doctor’s professional affiliations, he is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the American College of Gastroenterology. He has also published multiple research articles in peer-reviewed journals and textbook chapters, as well as has contributed oral presentations at a number of professional association meetings.
Recognized as a Top Doctor in Indianapolis, Dr. Tibesar is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology by the American Board of Pediatrics, an independent and nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance child health by certifying pediatricians who meet standards of excellence and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.
Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. A gastroenterologist is a physician who has extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders related to the esophagus, stomach, small intestines, colon, liver, pancreas, and biliary system. A pediatric gastroenterologist manages digestive health in children. This field covers the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the hepatobiliary-pancreatic systems (e.g., hepatitis and pancreatitis) and nutritional disorders (e.g., malnutrition and obesity).
In his spare time, Dr. Tibesar enjoys playing golf, running, and weight lifting. His favorite professional publication is the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
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