Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Center - Centreville, VA
Centreville Gastroenterologist Doctors for Flexible SigmoidoscopyType 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 Centreville * Lance Lasner MD  Gastroenterology Associates of N Virginia  Gastroenterology Associates of N Virginia  Gastroenterology Associates of N Virginia  Gastroenterology Associates of N Virginia  Gastroenterology Associates of N Virginia  Gastroenterology Associates of N Virginia  Gastroenterology Associates of N Virginia  Gastroenterology Associates of N Virginia  Gastroenterology Associates of N Virginia  Gastroenterology Associates of N Virginia  Associates In Gastroenterology  Associates In Gastroenterology  Associates In Gastroenterology  Associates In Gastroenterology  Vinod K Rustgi MD  Gastroenterology Associates PC  Gastroenterology Associates PC  Gastroenterology Associates PC  Gastroenterology Associates PC  Gastroenterology Associates PC  Gastroenterology Associates PC  Gastroenterology Associates PC  Gastroenterology Associates PC  Gastroenterology Associates PC  Gastroenterology Associates PC  Rajeshwar Singh Kadian MD  Kok S Lee MD PC  Virginia Gastroenterology  Sanjeev Wasan MD  Ryan P Crenshaw MD  Richard C Ranard MD & Lucy S Beck MD  Richard C Ranard MD & Lucy S Beck MD  Howard Heit MD  Carol Schuffler MD  Northern Virginia Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Center of Northern Virginia  Gastroenterology Center of Northern Virginia  Gastroenterology Center of Northern Virginia  Gastroenterology Center of Northern Virginia  Northern Virginia Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Center of Northern Virginia  Colon, Stomach & Liver Center  Colon, Stomach & Liver Center  Robert D Lafsky MD & Nadeem A Khan MD  Robert D Lafsky MD & Nadeem A Khan MD  Mu K Hong MD  Houshang Makipour MD  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Virginia  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Virginia  Paul I Miller MD  M Hossein Razavi MD  Kaiser Permanente  Ram Nimmagadda MD  Ronald E Gurney MD  Mc Lean Neuroscience  Bayani L Manalo MD  Han Ton-That MD  Robert A Nussbaum MD  Gastroenterology Assoc PLLC  Ramesh Desai MD  Gil Ascunce MD  Leonardo Mendez MD  Digestive Disease Physicians PC  Gastroenterology & Hepatology Associates  Gastroenterology & Hepatology Associates  Digestive Disease Physicians PC  Digestive Disease Physicians PC  Digestive Disease Physicians PC  Digestive Health  Gastroenterology & Hepatology Associates  Michael Mogadam MD  Digestive Health  Aly Sabet MD  Tobin S Naidorf MD  Tanya Davis-Spaulding MD  McCone Endoscopy Centers  A Bruce Shauer MD  Myriam Urrutia-Eder MD  Center Virginia Surgical Center  Center Virginia Surgical Center  Fall Hill Gastroenterology Associates MAHA  Fall Hill Gastroenterology Associates MAHA  Fall Hill Gastroenterology Associates MAHA  Pratt Medical Center Specialty Care  Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg  Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg  Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg  Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg  Blue Ridge Gastroenterology  Winchester Gastroenterology Associates  Winchester Gastroenterology Associates  Winchester Gastroenterology Associates  Winchester Gastroenterology Associates  Winchester Gastroenterology Associates  Samuel Pasternack MD  John Michaels MD  Horace J Jackson MD  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc Centreville, VirginiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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Flexible SigmoidoscopyRead the Flexible Sigmoidoscopy article » 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. For more, please read the Colon Screening and Surveillance article. 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 dietary modifications. Under special circumstances, such as the presence of significant diarrhea, the preparation may be waived. Do I continue my medications for flexible sigmoidoscopy?In general, you can continue to take your regular medicines. You should, however, inform your doctor of all the prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking as well as any allergies you may have. Certain drugs increase the risk of bleeding if biopsies are performed; these include aspirin, blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), and NSAIDs such as Motrin and Advil. Your doctor may ask you to stop these medications for several days before the procedure. You should also alert your doctor if you have an artificial heart valve, hip or knee prosthesis, or have a disease of the heart valves such as mitral stenosis, aortic stenosis, or mitral regurgitation. Patients with these conditions may need a... Recommended Reading Related to Flexible SigmoidoscopyWhat is a colon polyp?Colon polyps are fleshy growths that occur on the inside (the lining) of the large intestine, also known as the colon. Polyps in the colon are extremely common, and their incidence increases as individuals get older. It is estimated that 50% of the people over the age of 60 will harbor at least one polyp. The significance of polyps is that we know that when certain types of polyps grow large enough, they can become cancerous, and, moreover, colon cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United Sates. Therefore, screening for colon polyps and removing them before they become cancerous should markedly reduce the incidence of colon cancer. What types of polyps become cancerous? Other Related Flexible Sigmoidoscopy ArticlesEmergency Contact for Centreville
Nearby Centreville Hospitals *Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Prince William Hospital Reston Hospital Center Inova Fairfax Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute Dominion Hospital Inova Loudoun Hospital Center Potomac Hospital Virginia Hospital Center Inova Alexandria Hospital Sibley Memorial Hospital Georgetown University Hospital Graydon Manor Behavioral Health Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Psychiatric Institute of Washington Suburban Hospital Fauquier Hospital The George Washington University Hospital National Institutes of Health North Spring Behavioral Healthcare Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Adventist Hospital The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Hadley Howard University Hospital Children's National Medical Center National Rehabilitation Hospital Washington Hospital Center Saint Elizabeth's Hospital Washington DC VA Medical Center The Specialty Hospital of Washington Walter Reed Army Medical Center Holy Cross Hospital Fort Washington Hospital Providence Hospital The HSC Pediatric Center Washington Adventist Hospital United Medical Center Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital Prince George's Hospital Center Montgomery General Hospital Southern Maryland Hospital Center Doctors Community Hospital Civista Medical Center Laurel Regional Hospital 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 Flexible Sigmoidoscopy by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Abdominal Pain
- 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
- Hemorrhoid is an enlarged vein in the walls of the anus and sometimes around the rectum, usually caused by untreated constipation, but occasionally associated with chronic diarrhea. If untreated, hemorrhoids can worsen, protruding from the anus. Also known as piles.
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Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis)
- Diverticulitis is a condition in which diverticuli in the colon rupture. The rupture results in infection in the tissues that surround the colon. Diverticulitis symptoms include: abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Treatment methods include prescription medications, and in some cases, diverticulitis surgery.
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Diarrhea
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Constipation
- Constipation is defined medically as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week. Constipation usually is caused by the slow movement of stool through the colon. There are many causes of constipation including medications, poor bowel habits, low fiber diets, abuse of laxatives, hormonal disorders, and diseases primarily of other parts of the body that also affect the colon.
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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
- Colon cancer is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.
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Anal Fissure
- An anal fissure is a small tear or cut in the skin lining of the anus. Pain and/or rectal bleeding during bowel movements are common symptoms of anal fissures. Treatment involves increasing liquid intake, using stool softeners and avoiding foods that may not be well-digested.
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Clostridium Difficile Colitis (Antibiotic-Associated Colitis, C. difficile colitis)
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Ulcerative Colitis
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
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Anal Cancer
- Anal cancer, cancer located at the end of the large intestine, has symptoms that include anal or rectal bleeding, anal pain or pressure, anal discharge or itching, a change in bowel movements, and/or a lump in the anal region. Treatment for anal cancer may involve radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery and depends upon the stage of the cancer, its location, whether cancer is eradicated after the first treatment, and whether the patient has HIV.
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Colon Polyps
- A colon polyp is a benign tumor of the large intestine. Benign polyps do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Benign polyps can easily be removed during colonoscopy and are not life threatening. If benign polyps are not removed from the large intestine, they can become malignant over time.
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Microscopic Colitis (Lymphocytic Colitis and Collagenous Colitis)
- Microscopic colitis (lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis) is a disease of inflammation of the colon. Microscopic colitis is only visible when the colon's lining is examined under a microscope. The cause of microscopic colitis is not known. Symptoms of microscopic colitis are chronic watery diarrhea and abdominal pain or cramps. Microscopic colitis is diagnosed through biopsies of several areas of the colon. There is no standardized treatment for microscopic colitis; however, eliminating NSAIDs, and treatment medications such as Imodium, Lomotil, Petpo-Bismol, Entocort EC, and mesalamine (Asacol) have been helpful in some individuals.
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Hirschsprung's Disease
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The Digestive System
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Melanosis Coli
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Colon Cancer Prevention
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Disease Prevention in Women
- Disease prevention in women includes screening tests that are a basic part of prevention medicine. All screening tests are commonly available through your general doctor. Some specialized tests may be available elsewhere.
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Disease Prevention in Men
- Disease prevention in men includes routine screening tests that are part of basic prevention medicine. Take an active role in your own health care and discuss screening tests with your doctor early in life. Age of screening and timing of screening depends upon the condition being assessed.
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