Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Center - Worcester, MA
Worcester 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 Worcester * New England Gastroenterology Associates PC  New England Gastroenterology Associates PC  Elise A Jacques MD  UMass Medical Center Gastroenterology  UMass Medical Center Gastroenterology  UMass Medical Center Gastroenterology  UMass Medical Center Gastroenterology  UMass Medical Center Weight Center  Associates in Gastroenterology PC  UMass Medical Center Gastroenterology  UMass Medical Center Gastroenterology  Associates in Gastroenterology PC  UMass Medical Center Gastroenterology  UMass Medical Center Gastroenterology  UMass Medical Center Gastroenterology  UMass Medical Center Gastroenterology  Guenter L Spanknebel MD  Digestive & Liver Disease Group  Peter Tomaiolo MD  UMass Memorial Gastroenterology  G I Liver Group  G I Liver Group  UMass Memorial Medical Center Psychiatry  Fallon Clinic Gastroenterology  Fallon Clinic Gastroenterology  Fallon Clinic Gastroenterology  Fallon Clinic Gastroenterology  Fallon Clinic Gastroenterology  T Edward Bynum MD  Milford Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Milford Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Milford Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Milford Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Milford Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Naveen Pandaraboyina MD  Elliot J Feinberg MD  Edmund J Taylor MD  John G Stagias MD  T K Thomas MD  A Tariq Malik MD  Greater Boston Gastroenterology  Greater Boston Gastroenterology  Greater Boston Gastroenterology  Greater Boston Gastroenterology  Greater Boston Gastroenterology  Greater Boston Gastroenterology  Richard Schwartz MD  Middlesex Gastroenterology  Middlesex Gastroenterology  Middlesex Gastroenterology  Quaboag Gastroenterology  Michael Pisick MD  Van Ritter MD  Lawrence Handler MD  Mark P Epstein MD  Andrea Fribush MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates  Gastroenterology Healthcare Associates PC  Gastroenterology Healthcare Associates PC  Newton Wellesley Hospital Gastroenterology  Carla H Ginsburg MD  Gastroenterology Healthcare Associates PC  R J Klingenstein MD  Alexander Kopp MD PC  Gastroenterology Healthcare Associates PC  Robert F Kelliher MD  Digestive Health Specialists  Digestive Health Specialists  Mount Auburn Healthcare at Waltham  Digestive Health Specialists  Digestive Health Specialists  Digestive Health Specialists  Gastroenterology Consultants of Greater Lowell  Gastroenterology Consultants of Greater Lowell  Gastroenterology Consultants of Greater Lowell  Gastroenterology Consultants of Greater Lowell  Lahey Medical Center Lexington Internal Medicine  Women's Health Associates  Women's Health Associates  Women's Health Associates  Associates In Internal Medicine  Mohammad Farivar MD  Southwestern Gastroenterological Associates PC  Attleboro Gastroenterology  Attleboro Gastroenterology  Attleboro Gastroenterology  Attleboro Gastroenterology  VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury  Lahey Clinic Gastroenterology  Lahey Clinic Gastroenterology  Eric D Goldberg MD  Lahey Clinic Gastroenterology  Lahey Clinic Gastroenterology  Lahey Clinic Gastroenterology  Lahey Burlington Gastroenterology  Lahey Burlington Gastroenterology  Lahey Burlington Gastroenterology  Lahey Burlington Gastroenterology  Lahey Burlington Gastroenterology  Lahey Burlington Gastroenterology Worcester, 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 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 Worcester
Nearby Worcester Hospitals *St Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center UMass Memorial Medical Center Memorial Campus Adcare Hospital of Worcester Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital Worcester State Hospital UMass Memorial Medical Center University Campus Westborough State Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough UMass Memorial Clinton Hospital UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital Hubbard Regional Hospital Milford Regional Medical Center Harrington Memorial Hospital Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Campus MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Baystate Mary Lane Hospital Health Alliance Burbank Hospital Landmark Medical Center Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Heywood Hospital Nashoba Valley Medical Center Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island Day Kimball Hospital Emerson Hospital Wing Memorial Hospital & Medical Center Newton Wellesley Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Westwood Lodge Hospital Athol Memorial Hospital Caritas Norwood Hospital Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus McLean Hospital Arbour-Fuller Hospital Our Lady of Fatima Hospital Bournewood Hospital Lahey Clinic Medical Center Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Franciscan Hospital for Children Kindred Hospital Boston Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Faulkner Hospital Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island Sturdy Memorial Hospital Mount Auburn 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
- 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
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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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