Hirschsprung Disease Center - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Pediatric Surgeon Doctors for Hirschsprung DiseaseType of Physician: Pediatric Surgeon What is a Pediatric Surgeon? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Surgery; practitioners are skilled in the management of surgical conditions in premature and newborn infants, children, and adolescents. Specialty: Pediatric Surgery Common Name: Children's Surgeon Pediatric Surgeon Doctors in Alexandria * Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Pediatric Surgical Associates of Northern VA  Pediatric Surgical Associates of Northern VA  Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Commonwealth Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation  Jeffrey Haynes MD  Children's Orthopedic Center  West End Orthopaedic Clinic Inc Alexandria, VirginiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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Hirschsprung's DiseaseRead the Hirschsprung's Disease article » What is Hirschsprung's disease?Hirschsprung's (HURSH-sprungz) disease, or HD, is a disease of the large intestine. The large intestine is also sometimes called the colon. The word bowel can refer to the large and small intestines. Hirschsprung's disease usually occurs in children. It causes constipation, which means that bowel movements are difficult. Some children with Hirschsprung's disease can't have bowel movements at all. The stool creates a blockage in the intestine. If Hirschsprung's disease is not treated, stool can fill up the large intestine. This can cause serious problems like infection, bursting of the colon, and even death. Most parents feel frightened when they learn that their child has a serious disease. This information will help you understand Hirschsprung's disease and how you and the doctor can help your child.
Why does Hirschsprung's disease cause constipation?Normally, muscles in the intestine push stool to the anus, where stool leaves the body. Special nerve cells in the intestine, called ganglion cells, make the muscles push. A person with Hirschsprung's disease does not have these nerve cells in the last part of the large intestine. Healthy large intestine: Nerve cells are found throughout the intestine.
Hirschsprung's disease large intestine: Nerve cells are missing from the last part of the intestine.
In a person with Hirschsprung's disease, the healthy muscles of the intestine push the stool until it reaches the part without the nerve cells. At this point, the stool stops moving. New stool then begins to stack up behind it. Sometimes the ganglion cells are missing from the whole large intestine and even parts of the small intestine before it. When the diseased section reaches to or includes the small intestine, it is called long-segment disease. When the di... Recommended Reading Related to Hirschsprung's DiseaseDiarrhea facts
Other Related Hirschsprung Disease ArticlesEmergency Contact for Alexandria
Nearby Alexandria Hospitals *The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Hadley Inova Alexandria Hospital Saint Elizabeth's Hospital Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Fort Washington Hospital The Specialty Hospital of Washington The George Washington University Hospital Virginia Hospital Center Dominion Hospital Georgetown University Hospital Howard University Hospital United Medical Center Children's National Medical Center National Rehabilitation Hospital Washington DC VA Medical Center Washington Hospital Center Sibley Memorial Hospital Southern Maryland Hospital Center  Psychiatric Institute of Washington  The HSC Pediatric Center  Providence Hospital  Inova Fairfax Hospital  Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children  Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute  Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital  Prince George's Hospital Center  Walter Reed Army Medical Center  Washington Adventist Hospital  National Institutes of Health  Holy Cross Hospital  Suburban Hospital  Doctors Community Hospital  Potomac Hospital  Inova Fair Oaks Hospital  Civista Medical Center  Reston Hospital Center  Laurel Regional Hospital  Shady Grove Adventist Hospital  Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland  Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare  Prince William Hospital  Montgomery General Hospital  Calvert Memorial Hospital  Howard County General Hospital  Inova Loudoun Hospital Center  Anne Arundel Medical Center  Baltimore Washington Medical Center  Sheppard Pratt at Ellicott City 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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Constipation
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