Hirschsprung Disease Center - Lafayette, LA
Lafayette 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 Lafayette * Pediatric Surgery  Pediatric Surgery  Pediatric Surgery  Pediatric Surgery Lafayette, LouisianaUpcoming 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 Lafayette
Nearby Lafayette Hospitals *Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center Park Place Surgery Hospital Lafayette General Medical Center Louisiana Extended Care Hospital Lafayette  University Medical Center Lafayette  Community Specialty Hospital Lafayette  Meadowbrook Specialty Hospital  Heart Hospital of Lafayette  Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital  Acadia Vermilion Hospital  Southwest Medical Center  LTAC of Acadiana  Southpark Community Hospital  Womens & Children's Hospital  St Martin Hospital  Acadia St Landry Hospital  Doctors Hospital of Opelousas  American Legion Hospital  Dauterive Hospital  Crowley Rehabilitation Hospital  Iberia Medical Center  Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital  Opelousas General Health System  St Landry Extended Care Hospital  Acadian Medical Center  Abbeville General 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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