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Giardia Lamblia Center - San Angelo, TX

San Angelo 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 San Angelo *

Shannon Clinic Gastroenterology
Edward J Artnak
120 E Beauregard Ave
San Angelo, TX 76903
(325) 481-2274

Shannon Clinic Gastroenterology
Stephen W Coates
4450 Sunset Dr
San Angelo, TX 76904
(325) 481-2277

Shannon Clinic Gastroenterology
Eugene Stokes
4450 Sunset Dr
San Angelo, TX 76904
(325) 481-2277

West Texas Medical Associates
Robert J Danbert
3605 Executive Dr
San Angelo, TX 76904
(325) 949-9555

West Texas Medical Associates
Bruce R Heare
3605 Executive Dr
San Angelo, TX 76904
(325) 949-9555

Sandip V Mathur MD
Sandip V Mathur
6300 Regional Plaza
STE 820
Abilene, TX 79606
(325) 692-3777

Yogeshkum Patel MD
Yogeshkum Patel
6200 Regional Plz
STE STE 1675
Abilene, TX 79606
(325) 795-2100

Abilene Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology Associates
William C Haynes
1249 Ambler Ave
STE 200
Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 677-2626

Abilene Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology Associates
Steve K Johnson
1249 Ambler Ave
STE 200
Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 677-2626

Abilene Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology Associates
Sivakolunthunathan Pathmanathan
1249 Ambler Ave
STE 200
Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 677-2626

Abilene Endoscopy Center & Gastroenterology Associates
Gary D Roark
1249 Ambler Ave
STE 200
Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 677-2626

San Angelo, Texas

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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

Diarrhea »

Diarrhea facts

  • Diarrhea is an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, an increase in the looseness of stool or both.
  • Diarrhea is caused by increased secretion of fluid into the intestine, reduced absorption of fluid from the intestine or rapid passage of stool through the intestine.
  • Diarrhea can be defined absolutely or relatively. Absolute diarrhea is defined as more than five bowel movements a day or liquid stools. Relative diarrhea is defined as an increase in the number of bowel movements per day or an increase in the looseness of stools compared with an individual's usual bowel habit.
  • Diarrhea may be either acute or chronic, and each has different causes and treatments.
  • Complications of diarrhea include dehydration, electrolytes (mineral) abnormalities, and irritation of the anus.
  • Dehydration can be treated with oral ...

Emergency Contact for San Angelo

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby San Angelo Hospitals *

Shannon Medical Center Memorial Campus
120 E Harris St
San Angelo, TX 76903
(325)653-6741

Shannon Medical Center St John's Campus
2018 Pulliam St
San Angelo, TX 76905
(325)659-7100

San Angelo Community Medical Center
3501 Knickerbocker Rd
San Angelo, TX 76904
(325)949-9511

Ballinger Memorial Hospital
608 Ave B
Ballinger, TX 76821
(325)365-2531

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