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Clostridium Difficile Colitis Center - La Crosse, WI

La Crosse 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 La Crosse *

Franciscan Skemp Medical Center
Gregory L Cramer
700 West Ave S
Internal Medicine Specialists
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 791-9862

Franciscan Skemp Medical Center
Robert D Shaffer
700 West Ave S
Internal Medicine Specialists
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 791-9862

Gundersen Lutheran Whitehall WI
Frank J Aberger
18606 Ervin St
Whitehall, WI 54773
(715) 538-4355

Gundersen Lutheran Whitehall WI
Heather J Chial
18606 Ervin St
Whitehall, WI 54773
(715) 538-4355

Midelfort Clinic Gastroenterology
Gregory A Derfus
1221 Whipple St
Gastroenterology
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 838-6020

Midelfort Clinic Gastroenterology
Charles R Nordstrom
1221 Whipple St
Gastroenterology
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 838-6020

Midelfort Clinic Gastroenterology
Jaime Zighelboim
1221 Whipple St
Gastroenterology
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 838-6020

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
Jane E Kennedy
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
John P Kirchner
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
Patricia A Kuzma-Sell
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
Gary P Mayeux
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
Christopher J Rall
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
Michael E Ryan
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center Gastroenterology
Camille F Torbey
1000 N Oak Ave
Gastroenterology Dept
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 221-7822

La Crosse, Wisconsin

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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 La Crosse

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby La Crosse Hospitals *

Franciscan Skemp Healthcare LaCrosse Campus
700 West Ave S
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608)785-0940

Gundersen Lutheran
1910 South Ave
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608)782-7300

Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Sparta Campus
310 W Main St
Sparta, WI 54656
(608)269-2132

Winona Community Memorial Hospital
855 Mankato Ave
Winona, MN 55987
(507)454-3650

Vernon Memorial Hospital
507 S Main St
Viroqua, WI 54665
(608)637-2101

Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Arcadia Campus
464 S St Joseph Ave
Arcadia, WI 54612
(608)323-3341

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