Colonoscopy Center - Athens, GA
Athens Gastroenterologist Doctors for ColonoscopyType 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 Athens * J Michael West MD  J Michael West MD  Athens Gastroenterology Center PC  Stephen W Wilde MD  Claudia S Kretzschmar MD  Ranjit C Mathew MD  Athens Gastroenterology Association  Athens Gastroenterology Association  Gastroenterology Associates of Gainesville  Gastroenterology Associates of Gainesville  Gastroenterology Associates of Gainesville  Gastroenterology Associates of Gainesville  Gastroenterology Associates of Gainesville  Gastroenterology Associates of Gainesville  Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic LLC  East Atlanta Gastroenterology PC  East Atlanta Gastroenterology PC  East Atlanta Gastroenterology PC  East Atlanta Gastroenterology PC  East Atlanta Gastroenterology PC  Richard Chernecky MD  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Bennett H Bruckner MD  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Indra Krishnan MD  Gastroenterology Specialists Gwinnett PC  Gastroenterology Specialists Gwinnett PC  Gastroenterology Specialists Gwinnett PC  Gastroenterology Specialists Gwinnett PC  Southern Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Southern Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Southern Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Southern Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Southern Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Karim K Shakoor MD & Naseem Shakoor MD  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Advanced Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Christopher D Sarzen MD PC  North Atlanta Gastroenterology PC  Johns Creek Gastroenterology  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Yoon J Lee MD  Johns Creek Gastroenterology  Digestive Healthcare PC  Infinite Health  Gastroenterology of North Georgia  William K Garnto MD  Middle Georgia Gastroenterology PC  Middle Georgia Gastroenterology PC  Northeast Atlanta Associates Gastroenterology  Lee Oberman MD PC  Gastroenterology Specialists of Dekalb  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Dekalb Gastroenterology Associates  Dekalb Gastroenterology Associates  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Dekalb Gastroenterology Associates  Atlanta Center for Gastroenterology  Dekalb Gastroenterology Associates  Atlanta Digestive Center LLC  Atlanta Center for Gastroenterology  Atlanta Center for Gastroenterology  Dekalb Gastroenterology Associates  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Gastric Health Institute  Alpharetta Gastroenterology Associates PC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  The Emory Clinic Gastroenterology  The Emory Clinic Gastroenterology  The Emory Clinic Gastroenterology  The Emory Clinic Gastroenterology  The Emory Clinic Gastroenterology  The Emory Clinic Gastroenterology  South Atlantic Medical Clinic  South Atlantic Medical Clinic  Khalid Jalil MD  Advanced Digestive Care Center PC  South Atlantic Medical Clinic  Emory University Digestive Diseases  Gastroenterology Atlanta LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Metro Atlanta Gastroenterology LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Gastroenterology Consultants PC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Gastroenterology Consultants PC  Metro Atlanta Gastroenterology LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Metro Atlanta Gastroenterology LLC Athens, GeorgiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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ColonoscopyRead the Colonoscopy article » What is colonoscopy?Colonoscopy is a procedure that enables an examiner (usually a gastroenterologist) to evaluate the inside of the colon (large intestine or large bowel). The colonoscope is a four foot long, flexible tube about the thickness of a finger with a camera and a source of light at its tip. The tip of the colonoscope is inserted into the anus and then is advanced slowly, under visual control, into the rectum and through the colon usually as far as the cecum, which is the first part of the colon.
Why is colonoscopy done?Colonoscopy may be done for a variety of reasons. Most often it is done to investigate the cause of blood in the stool, abdominal pain, diarrhea, a change in bowel habit, or an abnormality found on colonic X-rays or a computerized tomographic (CT) scan. Individuals with previous history of polyps or colon cancer and certain individuals with a family history of some types of non-colonic cancers or colonic problems that may be associated with colon cancer (such as ulcerative colitis and colonic polyps) may be advised to have periodic colonoscopies because their risks are greater for polyps or colon cancer. How often should one undergo colonoscopy depends on the degree of the risks and the abnormalities found at previous colonoscopies. More recently, it has been recommended that even healthy people at normal risk for colon cancer should undergo colonoscopy at age 50 and every 10 years thereafter, for the purpose of removing colonic polyps before they become cancerous.
What bowel preparation is needed for colonoscopy?If the procedure is to be complete and accurate, the colon must be completely cleaned, and there are several colonoscopy preparations . Patients are given detailed instructions about the cleansing preparation. In general, this consists of drinking a large volume of a special cleansing solution or several days of a clear liquid... Recommended Reading Related to ColonoscopyDisease prevention in women overviewScreening tests are a basic part of prevention medicine. All screening tests are commonly available through your general doctor. Some specialized tests may be available elsewhere. Take an active role and discuss screening tests with your doctor early in life. The following charts are beneficial (generally simple and safe) screening tests that can help detect diseases and conditions before they become harmful. OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a condition with progressive loss of bone density leading to bone fractures. Estrogen is important in maintaining bone density. When estrogen levels drop after menopause, bone loss accelerates. Thus osteoporosis is most common among postmenopausal women. Screening testsMeasurement of bone density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan DEXA bone density scanning can:
Other Related Colonoscopy ArticlesEmergency Contact for Athens
Nearby Athens Hospitals *Athens Regional Medical Center St Mary's Health Care System BJC Medical Center Barrow Regional Medical Center Walton Regional Medical Center Morgan Memorial Hospital Ty Cobb Healthcare System Saint Joseph at East Georgia Elbert Memorial Hospital Northeast Georgia Medical Center Lanier Park Campus Northeast Georgia Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Colonoscopy by Our Doctors
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- Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
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Rectal Bleeding (Blood in Stool, Hematochezia)
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Hemorrhoids
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Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis)
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Diarrhea
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Constipation
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Crohn's Disease
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Ovarian Cancer
- There are many types of ovarian cancer, epithelial carcinoma is the most common. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease. Some ovarian cancer symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abnormal vaginal bleeding, however, they usually do not present until the disease has progressed. Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment.
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Anal Itching
- Anal itching is the irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, known as the anus, accompanied by the desire to scratch. Causes include everything from irritating foods we eat, to certain disease and infections. Treatment options include local anesthetics, vasoconstrictors, protectants, astringents, antiseptics, keratolytics, analgesics, and corticosteroids. If condition persists, a doctor examination may be needed to identify an underlying cause.
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Colon Cancer
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Clostridium Difficile Colitis (Antibiotic-Associated Colitis, C. difficile colitis)
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Ulcerative Colitis
- Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the colon. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Ulcerative colitis is closely related to Crohn's disease, and together they are referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment depends upon the type of ulcerative colitis diagnosed.
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
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Internal Bleeding
- Internal bleeding occurs when an artery or vein is damaged and blood to escapes the circulatory system and collects inside the body. Internal bleeding can be caused by a variety of situations such as blunt trauma, deceleration trauma, medications, fractures, and spontaneous bleeding. Treatment of internal bleeding depends on the cause of the bleeding.
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Colitis
- Inflammation of the inner lining of the colon is referred to as colitis. Symptoms of the inflammation of the colon lining include diarrhea, pain, and blood in the stool. There are several causes of colitis including infection, ischemia of the colon, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, or microscopic colitis). Treatment depends on the cause of the colitis.
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Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) refers to a condition in which abnormally large numbers of bacteria (at least 100,000 bacteria per ml of fluid) are present in the small intestine and the types of bacteria in the small intestine resemble more the bacteria of the colon than the small intestine. There are many conditions associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, to include: diabetes, scleroderma, Crohn's disease, and others. There is a striking similarity between the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and SIBO. It has been theorized that SIBO may be responsible for the symptoms of at least some patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Symptoms of SIBO include: excess gas, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
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Indigestion (Dyspepsia, Upset Stomach)
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Colon Polyps
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD)
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Microscopic Colitis (Lymphocytic Colitis and Collagenous Colitis)
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Carcinoid Syndrome and Carcinoid Tumor
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Hirschsprung's Disease
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Schistosomiasis
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The Digestive System
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Endocarditis
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Melanosis Coli
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Gardner's Syndrome (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis)
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Colon Cancer Prevention
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Disease Prevention in Women
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