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Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Intestinal Problems Center - Brownsville, TX

Brownsville Gastroenterologist Doctors for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Intestinal Problems

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 Brownsville *

Roberto Ponce MD
Roberto Ponce
2449 Boca Chica Blvd
STE STE D
Brownsville, TX 78521
(956) 542-1531

Oral C James MD
Oral C James
1806 Runnels Ave
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956) 423-9000

Mid Valley Gastroenterology
S Murthy Badiga
902 S Airport
STE 6
Weslaco, TX 78596
(956) 973-2446

Ralph Alhalel MD
Ralph Alhalel
1200 E Ridge Rd
STE 5
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956) 661-9300

Ralph Alhalel MD
Brick E Alva
1200 E Ridge Rd
STE 5
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956) 661-9300

Fatih Ozcelebi MD
Fatih Ozcelebi
1900 S Jackson Rd
STE E11
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956) 661-1333

South Texas Gastroenterology Associates
Oscar Alvarez
5525 Doctors Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 682-4800

South Texas Gastroenterology Associates
Rafael Amaro
5525 Doctors Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 682-4800

South Texas Gastroenterology Associates
Sabrahmanya Behara
5525 Doctors Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 682-4800

South Texas Gastroenterology Associates
Carlos J Cardenas
5525 Doctors Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 682-4800

South Texas Gastroenterology Associates
Ingrid Chacon
5525 Doctors Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 682-4800

K Vijaya Chowdary MD
K Vijaya Chowdary
301 Lindberg Ave
Mcallen, TX 78501
(956) 630-2979

Brownsville, Texas

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD)

What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are known as the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The precise cause of IBD remains unknown. These diseases are believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and non-genetic, or environmental factors (for example, infections) that interact with the body's immune (defense) system. When the intestinal immune system does not function properly, many white blood cells accumulate in the inner lining (mucosa) of the gut. The white cells then release chemicals that lead to tissue injury (inflammation). This inflammation of the mucosa can cause diarrhea, which is the most common symptom of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, with or without the intestinal complications.

What are the intestinal complications of IBD?

The intestinal complications of IBD occur when the intestinal inflammation is severe, extends beyond the inner lining (mucosa) of the intestines, is widespread, and/or is of long duration (chronic). For example, severe mucosal inflammation can cause ulcers, bleeding, and toxic megacolon (a condition in which the colon widens, or dilates, and loses its ability to properly contract). Inflammation that extends beyond the inner lining and through the intestinal wall is responsible for strictures (scarring that causes narrowing of the intestinal wall) and fistulas (tubular passageways originating from the bowel wall and connecting to other organs or the skin). Strictures, in turn, can lead to bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine (SIBO). If the inflammation of the small bowel is widespread, malabsorption of nutrients can be a complication. Chronic inflammation can also be associated with colon cancer.

The majority of IBD patients experience periods during which their disease intensifies (flares) or subsides (remissions). Although most patients require medication for IBD, they are ...

Recommended Reading Related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD)

Colitis »

What is colitis?

Colitis is inflammation of the inner lining of the colon and is associated with diarrhea, pain, and blood in the stool. There are numerous reasons for the colon to become inflamed including:

  • infection,
  • loss of blood supply to the colon,
  • inflammatory bowel disease, and
  • invasion of the colon wall with collagen or lymphocytic white blood cells.

Anatomy of the colon

The colon is a hollow, muscular tube that receives products of digestion from the small intestine and ultimately eliminates them from the body through the anus. The colon is located in the abdomen and has numerous sections that are named based on their location. Colitis can affect different sections of the colon.

  • The colon begins in the right lower abdomen with the cecum (located just above the appendix) into which the products of digestion empty from the small intestin...

Emergency Contact for Brownsville

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Brownsville Hospitals *

Valley Baptist Medical Center Brownsville
1040 W Jefferson St
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956)544-1400

Valley Regional Medical Center
100 A Alton Gloor Blvd
Brownsville, TX 78526
(956)350-7000

Brownsville Doctors Hospital
4750 N Expressway
Brownsville, TX 78526
(956)554-2000

Harlingen Medical Center
5501 S Expressway 77
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956)365-1000

Valley Baptist Medical Center
2101 Pease St
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956)389-1100

Knapp Medical Center
1401 E 8th St
Weslaco, TX 78596
(956)968-8567

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