Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Intestinal Problems Center - Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa Gastroenterologist Doctors for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Intestinal ProblemsType 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 Tuscaloosa * Howard S Brown MD  GI Associates of West Alabama PC  GI Associates of West Alabama PC  GI Associates of West Alabama PC  GI Associates of West Alabama PC  Gastroenterology Consultants  Gastroenterology Consultants  Alabama Digestive Diseases  Alabama Digestive Diseases  Alabama Digestive Diseases  Alabama Digestive Diseases  Luis R Davila MD  Gastroenterology Associates West PC  Gastroenterology Associates West PC  George R McWhorter MD  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates  Alabama Gastroenterology Associates PC  Alabama Gastroenterology Associates PC  Alabama Gastroenterology Associates PC  UAB Hospital Gastroenterology  Alabama Digestive Diseases  Southview Medical Group  Southview Medical Group  Drs Coleman Folse & Newman  Drs Coleman Folse & Newman  Drs Coleman Folse & Newman  Dr's Bajaj, Malik & Mehra MDs  Eastern Medical Specialists  Dr's Bajaj, Malik & Mehra MDs  Dr's Bajaj, Malik & Mehra MDs  Haritha Ramasastry MD  Central Alabama Digestive Diseases Tuscaloosa, AlabamaUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD)Read the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD) article » 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 ... Read the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD) article » Recommended Reading Related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD)What is colonoscopy?Colonoscopy is a procedure that enables an examiner (usually a gastroenterologist) to evaluate the inside of the colon (large intestine or large bowel). The colonoscope is a four foot long, flexible tube about the thickness of a finger with a camera and a source of light at its tip. The tip of the colonoscope is inserted into the anus and then is advanced slowly, under visual control, into the rectum and through the colon usually as far as the cecum, which is the first part of the colon.
Why is colonoscopy done?Colonoscopy may be done for a variety of reasons. Most often it is done to investigate the cause of blood in the stool, abdominal pain, diarrhea, a change in bowel habit, or an abnormality found on colonic X-rays or a computerized axial tomography (CT) scan. Individuals with a previous history of polyps or colon cancer and certain individuals with a family history of some types of non-colonic canc... Other Related Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Intestinal Problems ArticlesEmergency Contact for Tuscaloosa
Nearby Tuscaloosa Hospitals *Northport Medical Center Bryce Hospital Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center DCH Regional Medical Center Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Pickens County Medical Center Bibb Medical Center Greene County Hospital UAB Medical West 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. |
Suggested Reading on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD) by Our Doctors
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