Tag: Benign Colon Conditions

Benign colon conditions are usually growths that have not developed any signs of turning into cancerous tumors.  Polyps are normally benign for many years, and if removed during this stage, are not harmful.  Hemorrhoids are a benign, but sometimes painful condition that will not cause any serious problems.  Most benign colon conditions will lead to discomfort, but are not life-threatening.

What is the Best Medication for IBS: Understanding Your Options

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects around 25 to 45 million people, and two out of three are female. Plus, according to the IFFGD, the disorder costs the economy around $1.5 to $10 billion (excluding over-the-counter drugs and the cost of prescriptions) per year. That’s not all. Irritable bowel syndrome complications also cause people to miss

What is the best over the counter medicine for IBS?

Over-the-Counter Medicine for IBS: The Top Products for Symptom Relief Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects over 15% of the population, with women experiencing the disorder twice as often as men. The symptoms of the disorder range from mild to debilitating, causing over 30% of people to experience a low quality of life.  Unfortunately, despite its

How to cure IBS permanently

Living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be a daily battle, with symptoms ranging from frustrating to downright debilitating. The constant rollercoaster of constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and depression can make your life feel like an uphill battle. So if you’re among the 10 to 15% of Americans living with IBS, it’s only natural to wonder

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) & Omega Fats

Nutritionists refer to omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as “essential” fats because the body cannot produce them. The human body needs such omega fats to build healthy cells and maintain proper brain and nerve function. The only way the body can obtain these essential fats is from proper food sources. It’s widely known that consuming an adequate ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids is essential to overall health, especially for Los Angeles residents suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Surgical Treatment for Diverticular Disease

Diverticular disease may develop in two ways. First, when small sacs called diverticula appear in the wall of the large intestine, also known as the colon, the patient has diverticulosis. After a certain age, many people have these sacs and they may not cause any symptoms. Diverticulitis comes about when the sacs become inflamed. Diverticulitis in Beverly Hills presents as cramping and abdominal pain that may become excruciating. Fever, nausea and tenderness over the affected area of the large intestine are also present.

GI Associated Hemangiomas & Vascular Malformations

First documented in 1839, hemangiomas and vascular malformations of the GI tract are an infrequently encountered entity. Having the potential to occur anywhere along the intestinal system, the small bowel is the most frequent site with hemangiomas and malformations accounting for only 10% of all small bowel tumors.

Colon and Rectal Cancer (Inherited): Part 4

Get the PDF version of this article FAMILIAL ADENOMATOUS POLYPOSIS: ONE GENE. MANY MANIFESTATIONS. ALPHABET SOUP: FROM HERE TO THERE AND BACK AGAIN…AGAIN Part III of this series looked at Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and the genetics underlying the disease. Part IV will examine the ways in which this knowledge can be used to diagnose

Colon and Rectal Cancer (Inherited): Part 3

Get the PDF version of this article FAMILIAL ADENOMATOUS POLYPOSIS: ONE GENE. MANY MANIFESTATIONS. MAKING SENSE OF THE ALPHABET SOUP THAT IS THE GENETIC CODE. Parts I and II of this series looked at the genetics, diagnosis and treatment of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. Part III will examine familial adenomatous polyposis and the damage caused

Colon and Rectal Cancer (Inherited): Part 2

Get the PDF version of this article Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer: From Diagnosis to Treatment In this four-part series, Part 1 reviewed the basic pathologic and genetic concepts underlying hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. This second part defines the clinical challenges facing the clinician who is at the forefront of diagnostic and treatment efforts. Parts 3

Colon and Rectal Cancer (Inherited): Part 1

Get the PDF version of this article HEREDITARY NONPOLYPOSIS COLORECTAL CANCER: GENETICS AND DIAGNOSIS THE ALPHABET SOUP OF GENETICS AND DIAGNOSIS EXPLAINED With a myriad of vexing abbreviations and obscure terminology, the genetics controlling the formation of colonic polyps and malignancies may be difficult to appreciate. Paradoxically, the physician, positioned at the beginning of the

Diverticulitis: Diverticulosis Symptoms

Diverticulosis’ is a term that refers to abnormal ‘pockets’ in the colon. It is a common condition in North America. These ‘pockets’ form in the colon as patients age, and occur in more than 50% of Americans by age 65. Diverticular disease will affect almost all Americans by age 80. These ‘pockets’, or diverticulae, (singular-diverticula) cannot become malignant (cancerous) and will never cause problems in the majority of patients who have them.

Polyps – Colon Polyps – Scopefest (LA Daily News article)

Get the PDF version of this article Celebrating Their Health: Colonoscopies Make For A Most Unusual Birthday Party By Valerie Kuklenski, Staff Writer; U-Entertainment Jack Merrick was drawing on the straw in his jumbo Scorpion cocktail with such gusto, it seemed the drink’s floating gardenia would be vacuumed up. Surrounded by old friends, good food,

Blastocystis Hominis Infection

Blastocystis hominis is a common microscopic parasitic organism found throughout the world. Infection with Blastocystis hominis is called blastocystosis (BLASS-toe-SIS-toe-sis.)

Rectal Pouches

The rectum is a specialized reservoir which provides vital sensory and storage functions for the gastrointestinal system. When diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, polyposis or congenital anomalies require the surgical removal of the rectum, an important part of the body is lost. Quite often, these disease processes occur in young patients between the ages of 30 and 45. Physical and emotional adjustments must be made to compensate for this loss. Research has been directed toward finding a suitable replacement for the surgically removed rectum. The major focus of investigation has been on the creation of a neorectum, or rectal pouch.

Crohn’s Disease – Operative Intervention

Inflammatory bowel disease, specifically Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is thought to result from an abnormal immune regulatory process. Whereas ulcerative colitis is a mucosal inflammation confined to the colon, Crohn’s disease may involve transmural inflammation of any portion of the intestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Non-caseating granulomas are the hallmark pathological finding in Crohn’s disease. Common symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain or weight loss may be controlled using a variety of medications including antidiarrheal medications, 5-aminosalicylates, steroids, immunosuppressive agents, or anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies.

Ulcerative Colitis – Operative Intervention

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease are the two primary subclassifications of inflammatory bowel disease. Neither entity has a known etiology. However, abnormal immune regulation seems to play a causative role. Both Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease are thought to be autoimmune in origin. Ulcerative Colitis is defined by mucosal inflammation limited to the rectum and colon. Crohn’s Disease – may involve transmural inflammation of all layers of the bowel wall and can affect any portion of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus.

Flatulence

Flatus, or gas is an expected and natural by-product of the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. On average, between one half to two liters of gas are produced daily. This gas is eliminated through the anus approximately fourteen times per day.

The formation and elimination of flatus while normal, may be both uncomfortable and embarrassing and may be the source of laughter, concern or curiosity.

Colon and Rectal Cancer – Polyp Surveillance

Approximately 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. It is the second leading cause of cancer mortality, resulting in almost 60,000 deaths every year.1 Cancers of the colon and rectum most commonly develop from precursor adenomatous polyps that increase in size over time.2,3 Early detection and removal of these premalignant polyps usually prevents them from developing into invasive cancer.4,5 This is the rationale behind the colorectal cancer screening recommendations from the American Cancer Society.

Flat Colon Polyps

It is now accepted that most colon cancers originate from benign colon polyps. The cancer-to-polyp sequence is the driving force behind colon screening to find and remove polyps before they transform into a malignancy. There is a unified set of screening guidelines that address the age of first screening, the frequency of screening and the method of screening. This screening has been effective in achieving the stated goal of reducing the number of new colon malignancies detected per year.