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GI System & Disorders

Fecal Incontinence

What is fecal incontinence?

Fecal incontinence is the inability to control your bowel movements. Stool may leak from the rectum unexpectedly when passing gas or you may have a complete loss of bowel control. Fecal incontinence affects people of all ages and can be embarrassing. Many treatments are available that can improve or correct fecal incontinence.

Rev 04/27/2010

Hemorrhoids

What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower portion of the rectum or anus that may be internal (located inside the lower rectum) or external (under the skin around the anus).

What causes hemorrhoids?

  • Straining to move your bowels
  • Sitting too long on the toilet
  • Pregnancy and childbirth

What are the signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids?

  • Painless bleeding
  • Itching or pain in the anal region
  • Protrusion of internal hemorrhoid through the anus

Treatment options

Rev 11/10/2010

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Adult

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of disorders that includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These conditions frequently produce symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea. These conditions can often be difficult to diagnose due to their similarity to other conditions.

Crohn's disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn's disease can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum.

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the rectum and colon.

Rev 10/26/2012

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Pediatric

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) consists of two different but related conditions. These conditions are Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). In both conditions, there is inflammation in the lining of the bowel or intestine that causes the symptoms of the disease. CD can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus. UC is limited to the large intestine or colon only.

Rev 04/27/2010

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Cirrhosis

What is cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis describes a pattern of damage to the liver usually the result of long-term injury from alcohol, viruses or other conditions.  Damaged and dead liver cells are replaced by fibrous tissues which lead to scarring.  As a result of this scarring, liver cells regenerate into abnormal clumps or nodules.  The scar tissue and regenerative nodules alter the blood flow through the liver which causes some of the serious complications of cirrhosis.  This pattern of damage is usually irreversible but removing the cause can slow or

Rev 06/25/2010

Dyspepsia

 What is Dyspepsia?

Dyspepsia means "bad digestion" but is generally used as a label for persistent or recurring upper abdominal pain or discomfort. The term indigestion is often used synonymously with dyspepsia. The pain or discomfort is centered in the upper abdomen and is not accompanied by heartburn or regurgitation (symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease - GERD). It is also not generally associated with change in bowel habits. Dyspepsia is very common. It affects almost one fourth of people in the United States and affects both men and women equally.

Rev 06/25/2010

Gastroparesis

What is Gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis refers to a delay in emptying of stomach contents into the small intestine.  This can be caused by a change in the ability of the nerves of the stomach to receive information or a change in the nerves that send information to the stomach telling it to contract or empty.  Another cause includes the stomach muscles not being able to contract.  This decreased motility can be limited to the stomach or can affect other areas of the gastrointestinal tract. 

What causes Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis can occur spontaneously, or as a result of:

  • Thyroid abnormalities
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Infection
  • Gastro-intestinal surgery
  • Neurological di
Rev 02/19/2013

Ulcers

What is an ulcer?

An ulcer is an open sore on the skin or in a mucous membrane.  Ulcers that form in the stomach are called peptic ulcers and ulcers that occur in the duodenum are called duodenal ulcers. 

What causes ulcers?

Ulcers may be caused by a variety of factors including a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption or other diseases.

Rev 06/25/2010