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Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Intestinal Problems Center - San Luis Obispo, CA

San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo *

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Phillip M Colbert
77 Casa St
STE 108
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 541-6080

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Steven W Carlson
1551 Bishop St
STE 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-8822

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Gary L Cushing
1551 Bishop St
STE 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-8822

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Jeffrey B Mundorf
1551 Bishop St
STE 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-8822

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Vance D Rodgers
1551 Bishop St
STE 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-8822

Stanford Liver Clinic
Aijaz Ahmed
1310 Las Tablas Rd
STE 204
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-3458

Central Coast Gastroenterology
Jonathan L Riegler
1255 Las Tablas Rd
STE STE 201
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-2434

Central Coast Gastroenterology
Paul D Wetzel
1255 Las Tablas Rd
STE STE 201
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-2434

Central Coast Gastroenterology
Daniel C Zovich
1255 Las Tablas Rd
STE STE 201
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-2434

Benipal & Feldman MDs
Paramjit Benipal
116 S Palisade Dr
STE 210
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 347-7355

Bruce F Mize MD Inc
Paul Guarino
116 S Palisade Dr
STE 306
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 614-9880

Atul B Vachhani MD
Thomas P Hsia
525 E Plaza Dr
STE 307
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-6581

Bruce F Mize MD Inc
Bruce F Mize
116 S Palisade Dr
STE 306
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 614-9880

Atul B Vachhani MD
Atul B Vachhani
525 E Plaza Dr
STE 307
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-6581

GI Consultants
Thomas V Aguirre
2403 Castillo St
STE 201
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-3585

GI Consultants
Edward S Bentley
2403 Castillo St
STE 201
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-3585

Sansum Clinic
Vincent P Derosa
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Sansum Clinic
James V Egan
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Sansum Clinic
William V Hahn
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Sansum Clinic
John D Hobson
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Digestive Disease Consultants
William E Karnes
221 W Pueblo St
STE STE B
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-0024

Sansum Clinic
John L Petrini
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Digestive Disease Consultants
Gary M VanDeventer
221 W Pueblo St
STE STE B
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-0024

Alvin Y Au MD
Alvin Y Au
1360 Bailey Dr
Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 584-6499

San Luis Obispo, California

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-23
Santa Maria Tri-the-Bull Triathlon
Santa Maria, California
2012-06-23
7th Annual Mary Gibbs Fun Run
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2012-06-25
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2012-07-21
Windmill Century Bike Ride 2012
Santa Maria, California
2012-09-22
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Central Coast Classique
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2012-10-20
SLO GranFondo 2012
San Luis Obispo, California

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 San Luis Obispo

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby San Luis Obispo Hospitals *

Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center
1010 Murray Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805)546-7600

French Hospital Medical Center
1911 Johnson Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)543-5353

Atascadero State Hospital
10333 El Camino Real
Atascadero, CA 93422
(805)468-2000

Arroyo Grande Community Hospital
345 S Halcyon Rd
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805)489-4261

Twin Cities Community Hospital
1100 Las Tablas Rd
Templeton, CA 93465
(805)434-3500

Marian Medical Center
1400 E Church St
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805)739-3000

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