MedicineNet

Giardia Lamblia Center - Bullhead City, AZ

Bullhead City Gastroenterologist Doctors for Giardia Lamblia

Type 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 Bullhead City *

Jeffrey M Nitizawa MD
Jeffrey M Nitizawa
3003 Highway 95
STE STE 63
Bullhead City, AZ 86442
(928) 763-2500

Vinod K Singh MD
Vinod K Singh
1739 Beverly Ave
STE 206
Kingman, AZ 86409
(928) 757-2050

Muhammad Khan MD
Muhammad Khan
3636 Stockton Hill Rd
Kingman, AZ 86409
(928) 757-4398

Hitendra Chauhan MD Gene Kalin MD PC
Hitendra Chauhan
1840 Mesquite Ave
STE F
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
(928) 855-1016

Bullhead City, Arizona

Upcoming Local Events

2012-05-28
Memorial Day 1.5 Mile Pace Race
Bullhead City, Arizona
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Lake Havasu City
Throughout Lake Havasu City, Arizona
2012-07-04
Yankee Doodle Run/Walk 4 Miler
Bullhead City, Arizona
2012-08-11
Desert Juggernauts' Mini-Triathlon
Bullhead City, Arizona
2012-10-06
2012-10-20
Nevada Half Marathon & 5k
Laughlin, Nevada
2012-11-10
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Bullhead City
Throughout Bullhead City, Arizona
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Lake Havasu City ...
Throughout Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Giardia Lamblia

What is giardiasis?

Giardiasis (gee-ar-die-a-sis with a soft "G") is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the parasite, Giardia intestinalis, also known as Giardia lamblia. It is the most common cause of parasitic gastrointestinal disease; it is estimated that up to 2.5 million cases of giardiasis occur each year in the U.S., and up to 20% of the world's population is chronically infected.

Giardia lamblia exists in two forms, an active form called a trophozoite, and an inactive form called a cyst. The active trophozoite attaches to the lining of the small intestine with a "sucker" and is responsible for causing the signs and symptoms of giardiasis. The trophozoite cannot live long outside of the body, therefore it cannot spread the infection to others. The inactive cyst, on the other hand, can exist for prolonged periods outside the body. When it is ingested, stomach acid activates the cyst, and the cyst develops into the disease-causing trophozoite. It takes ingestion of only ten cysts to cause infection. Trophozoites are important not only because they cause the symptoms of giardiasis, but also because they produce the cysts that exit the body in the feces and spread the infection to others.

Cysts of Giardia are present in the feces of infected persons. Thus, the infection is spread from person to person by contamination of food with feces, or by direct fecal-oral contamination. Cysts also survive in water, for example in fresh water lakes and streams. As a result, giardiasis is the most common cause of water-borne, parasitic illness in the U.S.. Domestic mammals (for example, dogs, cats, calves) and wild mammals (for example, beavers) can become infected with Giardia; however, it is not clear how often domestic or wild mammals transmit giardiasis to humans. Giardiasis also has occurred as outbreaks from recreational water sources such as swimming pools, water pa...

Recommended Reading Related to Giardia Lamblia

Endoscopy (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, EGD) »

What is upper endoscopy?

Upper endoscopy is a procedure that enables the examiner (usually a gastroenterologist) to examine the esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, and duodenum (first portion of small bowel) using a thin, flexible tube through which the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum can be viewed using a TV monitor.

How do I prepare for endoscopy?

To accomplish a safe and complete examination, the stomach should be empty. The patient will most likely be asked to have nothing to eat or drink for six hours or more prior to the procedure.

Prior to scheduling the procedure, the patient should inform his or her physician of any medications they are currently taking, any allergies, and all of their health problems. This information will remind the doctor whether the patient may need antibiotics prior to the procedure, what potential medications should not be used during the exam because of the pat...

Emergency Contact for Bullhead City

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Bullhead City Hospitals *

Western Arizona Regional Medical Center
2735 Silver Creek Rd
Bullhead City, AZ 86442
(928)763-2273

Valley View Medical Center
5330 S Highway 95
Fort Mohave, AZ 86426
(928)788-2273

Colorado River Medical Center
1401 Bailey Ave
Needles, CA 92363
(760)326-4531

Kingman Regional Medical Center
3269 Stockton Hill Rd
Kingman, AZ 86409
(928)757-2101

*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.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.