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Clostridium Difficile Colitis Center - Amarillo, TX

Amarillo Gastroenterologist Doctors for Clostridium Difficile Colitis

Type of Physician: Gastroenterologist

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated.

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Common Name: GI Doctor

Gastroenterologist Doctors in Amarillo *

Melvin Bram MD
Melvin Bram
5211 W 9th Ave 101
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806) 359-5494

Srinivas Pathapati MD PA
Amit K Trehan
6833 Plum Creek
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806) 467-9820

Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic PA
Daniel A Beggs
6700 W 9th Ave
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806) 358-0200

Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic PA
R Todd Ellington
6700 W 9th Ave
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806) 358-0200

Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic PA
Tom L Johnson
6700 W 9th Ave
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806) 358-0200

Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic PA
Jake C Lennard
6700 W 9th Ave
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806) 358-0200

Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic PA
James E Lusby
6700 W 9th Ave
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806) 358-0200

Hagos Tekeste MD
Hagos Tekeste
1901 Medi Park Dr
STE 50
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806) 356-2260

Amarillo, Texas

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Clostridium Difficile Colitis (Antibiotic-Associated Colitis, C. difficile colitis)

What is Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)?

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that is related to the bacterium that cause tetanus and botulism. The C. difficile bacterium has two forms, an active, infectious form that cannot survive in the environment for prolonged periods, and a nonactive, "noninfectious" form, called a spore, that can survive in the environment for prolonged periods. Although spores cannot cause infection directly, when they are ingested they transform into the active, infectious form.

C. difficile spores are found frequently in:

  • hospitals,
  • nursing homes,
  • extended care facilities, and
  • nurseries for newborn infants.

They can be found on:

  • bedpans,
  • furniture,
  • toilet seats,
  • linens,
  • telephones,
  • stethoscopes,
  • fingernails,

  • rings (jewelry),
  • floors,
  • infants' rooms, and
  • diaper pails.

They even can be carried by pets. Thus, these environments are a ready source for infection with C. difficile.

What is Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) colitis?

Antibiotic-associated (C. difficile) colitis is an infection of the colon caused by C. difficile that occurs primarily among individuals who have been using antibiotics. It is the most common infection acquired by patients while they are in the hospital. More than three million C. difficile infections occur in hospitals in the US each year. After a stay of only two days in a hospital, 10% of patients will develop infection with C. difficile. C. difficile also may be acquired outside of hospitals in the community. It is estimated that 20,000 infections with C. difficile occur in t...

Recommended Reading Related to Clostridium Difficile Colitis (Antibiotic-Associated Colitis, C. difficile colitis)

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy »

What is flexible sigmoidoscopy?

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine the rectum and the lower (sigmoid) colon. The flexible sigmoidoscope is a flexible tube 60 cm long and about the thickness of your little finger. It is inserted gently into the anus and advanced slowly into the rectum and the lower colon. It is an accurate and simple method of investigating the cause of rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit, and rectal symptoms such as pain and diarrhea. Flexible sigmoidoscopy also is a part of colon screening and surveillance for colon cancer.

What is the preparation for flexible sigmoidoscopy?

In order to obtain accurate results, the rectum and the lower colon must be completely clean of stool. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to cleanse your colon. In general, this requires the use of one or two enemas prior to the procedure and may also call for a laxative and some dietar...

Emergency Contact for Amarillo

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Amarillo Hospitals *

Panhandle Surgical Hospital
7100 SW 9th Ave
Amarillo, TX 79102
(806)212-0247

Triumph Hospital Amarillo
2828 W 27th Ave
Amarillo, TX 79109
(806)351-1600

Amarillo VA Health Care System
6010 Amarillo Blvd W
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806)355-9703

Plum Creek Specialty Hospital
5601 Plum Creek Dr
Amarillo, TX 79124
(806)351-1000

Baptist St Anthony Health System
1600 Wallace Blvd
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806)212-2000

Northwest Texas Healthcare System
1501 S Coulter Ave
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806)354-1000

High Plains Hospital
7501 Wallace Blvd
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806)477-1800

Northwest Texas Surgery Center
3501 S Soncy Rd
Amarillo, TX 79119
(806)359-7999

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