Colonoscopy Center - Birmingham, AL
Birmingham 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 Birmingham * UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  Southview Medical Group  Southview Medical Group  Alabama Digestive Diseases  Alabama Digestive Diseases  Alabama Digestive Diseases  Alabama Digestive Diseases  Alabama Digestive Diseases  Drs Coleman Folse & Newman  Drs Coleman Folse & Newman  Drs Coleman Folse & Newman  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Gastroenterology Associates West PC  Gastroenterology Associates West PC  George R McWhorter MD  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Alabama Gastroenterology Associates PC  Alabama Gastroenterology Associates PC  Alabama Gastroenterology Associates PC  Dr's Bajaj, Malik & Mehra MDs  Eastern Medical Specialists  Dr's Bajaj, Malik & Mehra MDs  Dr's Bajaj, Malik & Mehra MDs  Luis R Davila MD  Central Alabama Digestive Diseases  Haritha Ramasastry MD  Gastroenterology Consultants  Gastroenterology Consultants  GI Associates of West Alabama PC  GI Associates of West Alabama PC  GI Associates of West Alabama PC  GI Associates of West Alabama PC  Howard S Brown MD  Medical Specialists in Alabama  Digestive Disease Specialists  James S Hixon MD  Digestive Disease Specialists  Digestive Disease Specialists  Donald C Rosen MD  Haroon A Shaikh MD  Digestive Disease Specialists  Digestive Disease Specialists  Pankaj K Kashyap MD  Decatur Digestive Diseases  Decatur Digestive Diseases  Decatur Digestive Diseases  Decatur Gastroenterology  Decatur Gastroenterology  Colon & Digestive Disease Center  Alabama Digestive Disorders Center PC  Michael Dohrenwend MD  Winter B Wilson DO  James P Holmes MD  Eghierhua Ugheoke MD  Center for Colon & Digestive Disease  Center for Colon & Digestive Disease  Center for Colon & Digestive Disease  Center for Colon & Digestive Disease  Center for Colon & Digestive Disease  Center for Colon & Digestive Disease  Center for Colon & Digestive Disease  Center for Colon & Digestive Disease  Center for Colon & Digestive Disease  Digestive Disease Center PC  Digestive Disease Center PC  Digestive Disease Center PC  John C Hendrix MD PC  Digestive Disorder & Liver Diseases  Montgomery Gastroenterology Specialists  Robert R Brinson MD  Comm Med Arts Center  Thomas D Bianchi MD Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham is the largest city in the state of Alabama in the United States. It is the county seat of Jefferson County and includes part of Shelby County.
Over the course of the 20th century, the city's economy diversified. Though the manufacturing industry maintains a strong presence in Birmingham, other industries such as banking, insurance, medicine, publishing, and biotechnology have risen in stature. Birmingham has been recognized as one of the top cities for income growth in the United States South with a significant increase in per capita income since 1990.
Today, Birmingham ranks as one of the most important business centers in the Southeastern United States and is also one of the largest banking centers in the U.S. In addition, the Birmingham area serves as headquarters to one Fortune 500 company: Regions Financial. Five Fortune 1000 companies are headquartered in Birmingham. Upcoming 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 Birmingham
Nearby Birmingham Hospitals *Birmingham VA Medical Center UAB Hospital Children's Hospital Cooper Green Hospital Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital St Vincent's Hospital UAB Highlands Hospital Princeton Baptist Trinity Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital Brookwood Medical Center Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services St Vincent's East UAB Medical West Shelby Baptist Medical Center Bradford Health Services St Vincent's St Clair Walker Baptist Medical Center St Vincent's Blount 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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Related Diseases & Conditions
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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)
- Rectal bleeding (hematochezia) refers to the passage of bright red blood from the anus. Rectal bleeding may be moderate to severe and most bleeding comes from the colon, rectum, or anus. Common causes include anal fissures, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and more.
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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
- Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease, primarily involving the small and large intestine, but which can affect other parts of the digestive system as well. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss are common symptoms.
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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)
- Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium, and is one of the most common causes of infection of the colon. 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, floors, infants' rooms, and diaper pails. They even can be carried by pets. 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. Treatment for C. difficile colitis hydration, replenishment of electrolyte deficiencies, discontinuing the antibiotic that caused the colitis, and using antibiotics to eradicate the C. difficile bacterium.
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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
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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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