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Clostridium Difficile Colitis Center - Las Cruces, NM

Las Cruces 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 Las Cruces *

Imad Idriss MD
Imad Idriss
2427 S Telshor Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 522-1059

Digestive Disease Consultants
Thomas V Nattakom
2525 S Telshor Blvd
STE 104
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 522-7697

Digestive Disease Consultants
Prasad V Podila
2525 S Telshor Blvd
STE 104
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 522-7697

Gastroenterology of Alamogordo
Juergen Mueller
923 E 9th St
STE A
Alamogordo, NM 88310
(575) 437-2448

Las Cruces, New Mexico

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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 Las Cruces

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Las Cruces Hospitals *

MountainView Regional Medical Center
4311 E Lohman Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575)556-7600

Memorial Medical Center
2450 S Telshor Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(505)522-8641

Mesilla Valley Hospital
3751 Del Rey Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575)382-3500

Peak Psychiatric Hospital
5065 McNutt Rd
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(505)589-3000

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