Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Center - Malden, MA
Malden 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 Malden * Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Internal Medicine Medford  Ira Michaelson MD  Cambridge Hospital Medical Specialists  Digestive Health Associates  Digestive Health Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  Bay State Gastroenterology PC  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  Massachusetts General Hospital Gastroenterology  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  Pediatric GI & Nutritional Associates at MGH  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  MGH Gastroenterology Associates  Harvard Vanguard Medical Specialties Cambridge  Harvard Vanguard Medical Specialties Cambridge  Carlo Cecchetti MD  Kinnari R Kher MD  Melrose Internal Medicine  Melrose Medical Associates  Rong J Guan MD  Human Nutrition Research Center  Tufts New England Medical Center Dept Gastroenterology  Tufts Medical Center  New England Medical Center Adult Nutritional Support Services  Tufts Medical Center  Tufts Medical Center  New England Medical Center Adult Nutritional Support Services  Tufts Medical Center  Lahey Clinic Arlington Internal Medicine  Lahey Clinic Arlington Internal Medicine  Harvard Vanguard Gastroenterology  John Chobanian MD  Harvard Vanguard Gastroenterology  Mt Auburn Gastroenterology Associates  Mt Auburn Gastroenterology Associates  Harvard Vanguard Gastroenterology  Cambridge Gastroenterology Associates  Torre Morgan MD  Harvard Vanguard Gastroenterology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Surgery  Harvard Vanguard Gastroenterology  Boston University Medical Group  BMC Gastroenterology  BMC Gastroenterology  BMC Gastroenterology  BMC Gastroenterology  BMC Gastroenterology  BMC Gastroenterology  BMC Gastroenterology  Boston University Medical Group  BMC Gastroenterology  BMC Gastroenterology  Pastor Medical Group  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Gastroenterology  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center  Fehmida Chipty MD  Ram Chuttani MD  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Gastroenterology  Harvey Goldman MD  Ciaran P Kelly MD  John T. Lamont, MD  Anthony J Lembo MD  Beth Israel Deaconess Med Ctr Digestive Disease Ctr  Beth Israel Deaconess  Digestive Health Associates  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Gastroenterology  Beth Israel Deaconess Malden, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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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 Ulcerative Colitis?Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine (colon). The colon is the part of the digestive system where waste material is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. In patients with ulcerative colitis, ulcers and inflammation of the inner lining of the colon lead to symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Ulcerative colitis is closely related to another condition of inflammation of the intestines called Crohn's disease. Together, they are frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's diseases are chronic conditions that can last years to decades. They affect approximately 500,000 to 2 million people In the United States. Men and women are affected equally. They most commonly begin during adolescence and early adulthood, but they also can begin during childhood and later in life. ...Other Related Flexible Sigmoidoscopy ArticlesEmergency Contact for Malden
Nearby Malden Hospitals *Whidden Memorial Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital Somerville Hospital Lawrence F Quigley Memorial Hospital Cambridge Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital Massachusetts General Hospital M I T Medical Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Melrose Wakefield Hospital Mount Auburn Hospital Tufts New England Medical Center Winchester Hospital Arbour HRI Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Boston Medical Center Children's Hospital Boston Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Women's Hospital Franciscan Hospital for Children Kindred Hospital Boston Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center New England Baptist Hospital HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus McLean Hospital Radius Specialty Hospital Boston Arbour Hospital Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Massachusetts Mental Health Center Faulkner Hospital North Shore Medical Center Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Bournewood Hospital Lahey Clinic Medical Center Caritas Carney Hospital Newton Wellesley Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus Kindred Hospital Boston North Shore Milton Hospital Salem Hospital & the Birthplace North Shore Children's Hospital Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital Quincy Medical Center Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Beverly Hospital Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital Emerson Hospital Tewksbury Hospital Westwood Lodge Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Massachusetts Hospital School Caritas Norwood Hospital Isham Health Center Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree South Shore Hospital New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Saints Medical Center Baldpate Hospital Lawrence General Hospital HC Solomon Mental Health Center Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton Lowell General Hospital Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton Merrimack Valley Hospital UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital Addison Gilbert 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. |
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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
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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
- 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)
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a common gastrointestinal disorder involving abnormal gut contractions (motility) characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, mucous in stools, and irregular bowel habits with alternating diarrhea and constipation, symptoms that tend to be chronic and to wax and wane over the years. Treatment options include medication and lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and stress management to control symptoms. Also called spastic colitis, mucus colitis, nervous colon syndrome.
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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
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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
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