ABDOMINAL & BOWEL
* What is Cancer Screening? [back to the top]
At present, many medical organizations recommend a variety of screening procedures; mammograms, pap smear, colonoscopy, etc. We specialize in diagnosis and treatment of unusual findings such as growths, lumps and polyps. Our office can assist by performing your colonoscopy which is a painless non-surgical test. We can also cooperate with your family doctor in the interpretation and treatment of findings from other cancer screening tests.
* Are you bothered by abdominal pain? [back to the top]
Does eating make your pain better or worse? Pain that improves with food can indicate a stomach ulcer. This condition can be treated with medicine. Pain that worsens with food is associated with multiple causes including gallstones, bowel inflammation, or other
causes. Painless tests can be done to evaluate the causes of this pain. Don't wait to find out the reason for this illness.
What you don't know CAN hurt you.
* Do you sometimes feel ill when you are eating? [back to the top]
This problem generally comes from abdominal organs that are not
functioning properly: if one part of your bowel is not working well it can fail to interact with another part. For instance, if you have a stomach ulcer or gallstones, this can lead to nausea even in the absence of pain. Scar tissue from a prior surgery can also lead to these problems.
Absence of pain does not mean you should not seek medical advice.
* Do you wake up at night with heartburn? [back to the top]
Pain in the chest can be from many causes. One common cause is
heartburn which is stomach acid which "refluxes" up into the chest while sleeping. This is also called reflux disease or GERD. This condition can be associated with a hiatus hernia. The first step in treatment is medication, however if this fails to relieve the symptoms a surgery treatment may be necessary.
Non-treatment can lead to hoarseness, ulceration and cancer.
* What Is “Reflux Disease”? [back to the top]
Constant heartburn can come from various causes. You should discuss this with your family doctor. One common cause is “reflux” of stomach acid backwards into the chest. This can be treated with medicine after appropriate tests are run. If treatment is not working, surgery is an option for some patients. Surgery can improve pain, burning and problems with swallowing that do not get better with medicine. Such surgery can be done with small incisions now and recovery is rapid.
* Do you suffer from abdominal bloating? [back to the top]
Abdominal (stomach) bloating can come from diet or a medical condition, such as diabetes. Conditions such as stomach ulcer, gall bladder disease, scar tissue resulting from a previous surgery, diseases of the large bowel (colon) such as diverticulitis, polyps or cancer may also be to blame. Painless tests can help to determine the causes of this painful and embarrassing condition.
The earlier this condition is diagnosed, the sooner you can receive the medical or surgical help you need.
*What causes Stomach Ulcers? [back to the top]
Most stomach ulcers are related to a bacterial infection of the stomach. Most
patients are cured with antibiotics, however some patients will need to take
acid reducing medicines for discomfort. Excess use of anti-inflammatory
medicines such as motrin as well as other causes can contribute to this
condition. Gallbladder disease can mimic or accompany stomach problems. Acid
reflux can also be a part of this picture. Over long term, these problems can
be associated with cancer, contact our office for advice about diagnostic
testing to resolve these problems.
*What Is Gall Bladder Disease? [back to the top]
Pain under the right side of your ribs which is associated with meals can be due to gall bladder disease. Gall bladders become sick and cause pain and nausea. There are painless tests to look for gall stones which are evidence of poor gall bladder function.
The gall bladder can be safely removed and lead to resolution of pain and nausea.
*What Is A Hernia? [back to the top]
A hernia is a painful swelling in the belly button or groin area. It can occur in an old surgical scar. These hernias should be repaired, if possible, because they can get larger with time. Occasionally, internal organs can become entangled in the hernia. This is dangerous. Hernia repair is safe and effective. The pain of surgery is usually much less than the pain of the hernia. Recovery time is usually brief.
* What Is Diverticulitis? [back to the top]
Diverticulitis is an internal hernia of the bowel wall that is painful. This hernia can become infected. You cannot see this internal hernia generally; you will have pain and a feeling of bloating on the left side of your belly. Generally, this occurs after age 50. Treatment usually involves antibiotics. A small percentage of people who do not respond to antibiotics will need surgery. Today this surgery can largely be done with small incisions with a short recovery period.
* What are Colon Polyps? [back to the top]
About one out of every five individuals has a predisposition to developing growths in their bowel. These growths can degenerate into cancer in a percentage of people. Removal of polyps can greatly reduce the risk of colon cancer which is the second most common cancer in nonsmokers over the age of forty. These polyps can generally be treated without surgery; where surgery is needed this can be done through small incisions.
* What Are Hemorrhoids? [back to the top]
Do you have pain and bleeding with bowel movements? This is not a polite subject but it is very important if you are suffering. The first line of treatment is to increase fiber in your diet. Sometimes over-the-counter medicines help for minor pain. If surgery is necessary this is done with an entirely new technique where hemorrhoids are removed from inside. This is much less painful. People will say that hemorrhoid surgery is very painful but this is not true now. The new technique is a vast improvement. |
