Hirschsprung Disease Center - Galveston, TX
Galveston 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 Galveston * UT MD Anderson Childrens Cancer Hospital  Houston Pediatric Surgeons  Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric Surgery  Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric Surgery  Texas Pediatric Surgical Associates  Texas Pediatric Surgical Associates  Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric Surgery  Texas Pediatric Surgical Associates  Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric Surgery  Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric Surgery  Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric Surgery  Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric Surgery  Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric Surgery  Texas Children's Hospital Cardiology  Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric Surgery  Leon M Hicks MD Galveston, TexasUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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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 Galveston
Nearby Galveston Hospitals *Shriners Hospital Galveston University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Mainland Medical Center CHRISTUS St John Hospital Clear Lake Regional Medical Center Clear Lake Rehabilitation Hospital Cornerstone Hospital of Houston at Clearlake Triumph Hospital Clear Lake Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Alexander Campus Triumph Hospital Baytown Bayside Community Hospital Vista Medical Center Hospital of America Bayshore Medical Center San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Garth Rd 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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