Hirschsprung Disease Center - Washington, DC
Washington 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 Washington * Childrens National Medical Center Surgery  Childrens National Medical Center Surgery  Childrens National Medical Center Surgery  Childrens National Medical Center Surgery  Childrens National Medical Center Surgery  Childrens National Medical Center Surgery  Childrens National Medical Center Surgery  Childrens National Medical Center Surgery  Childrens National Medical Center Surgery  Georgetown University Hospital Orthopaedic Dept Washington, District of ColumbiaWashington, D.C. formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States, founded on July 16, 1790. The City of Washington was originally a separate municipality within the Territory of Columbia until an act of Congress in 1871 effectively merged the City and the Territory into a single entity called the District of Columbia. It is for this reason that the city, while legally named the District of Columbia, is known as Washington, D.C. Upcoming 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 DiseaseWhat causes belching?The ability to belch is almost universal. Belching, also known as burping (medically referred to as eructation), is the act of expelling gas from the stomach out through the mouth. The usual cause of belching is a distended (inflated) stomach caused by swallowed air. The distention of the stomach causes abdominal discomfort, and the belching expels the air and relieves the discomfort. The common reasons for swallowing large amounts of air (aerophagia) are gulping food or drink too rapidly, anxiety, and carbonated beverages. People are often unaware that they are swallowing air. "Burping" infants during bottle or breastfeeding is important in order to expel air in the stomach that has been swallowed with the formula or milk. Excessive air in the stomach is not the only cause of belching. For some people, belching becomes a habit and does not reflect the amount of air in their stomachs. For others, belching is a response to an... Other Related Hirschsprung Disease ArticlesEmergency Contact for Washington
Nearby Washington Hospitals *Howard University Hospital The George Washington University Hospital The Specialty Hospital of Washington Children's National Medical Center National Rehabilitation Hospital Washington DC VA Medical Center Washington Hospital Center Georgetown University Hospital Providence Hospital The HSC Pediatric Center  Saint Elizabeth's Hospital  Psychiatric Institute of Washington  Walter Reed Army Medical Center  The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Hadley  Sibley Memorial Hospital  United Medical Center  Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital  Virginia Hospital Center  Washington Adventist Hospital  Prince George's Hospital Center  Inova Alexandria Hospital  Dominion Hospital  Holy Cross Hospital  National Institutes of Health  Suburban Hospital  Doctors Community Hospital  Inova Fairfax Hospital  Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children  Inova Mount Vernon Hospital  Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute  Fort Washington Hospital  Southern Maryland Hospital Center  Laurel Regional Hospital  Shady Grove Adventist Hospital  Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland  Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare  Montgomery General Hospital  Reston Hospital Center  Inova Fair Oaks Hospital  Howard County General Hospital  Potomac Hospital  Civista Medical Center  Prince William Hospital  Anne Arundel Medical Center  Baltimore Washington Medical Center  Inova Loudoun Hospital Center  Sheppard Pratt at Ellicott City  Spring Grove Hospital Center  Saint Agnes Hospital  Harbor Hospital Center  North Spring Behavioral Healthcare  Calvert Memorial Hospital  Kernan Hospital  Bon Secours Baltimore Health System  Graydon Manor Behavioral Health  Northwest Hospital  Baltimore VA Medical Center  Springfield Hospital Center  University of Maryland Medical Center  University Specialty Hospital  Mercy Medical Center  Maryland 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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