Lower GI Tract
The digestive system is composed of an upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The lower GI tract includes the jejunum and the ileum (the middle and latter sections of the small intestine), the large intestine (colon), rectum, and anus.
Most of the nutrients from the food you eat are absorbed in the jejunum, while vitamin B12 is absorbed in the ileum. What’s left in the small intestine travels to the large intestine (colon). As these waste products move through the colon, water is absorbed and the particles become solid, forming into stool. The stool moves into the lower part of the colon then to the rectum and anal canal, where it passes out of your body as a bowel movement.
Lower GI symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids can be painful and shouldn’t be ignored, as they may indicate a serious underlying condition.
Our board-certified Gastroenterologists are experts at diagnosing and treating lower GI conditions including:
- Anal Fissure, Abscess, and Fistula
- Anemia
- Colon Polyps
- Colon Cancer
- Constipation
- Crohn’s Disease
- Diarrhea
- Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis
- Hemorrhoids
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Rectal Bleeding
- Ulcerative Colitis
Your doctor may recommend diagnostic testing such as colonoscopy, enteroscopy, or a lower GI series/barium enema, along with lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery to alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life.
At Carlisle Digestive Disease Associates, we’re committed to your digestive health. For an appointment with one of our Board-Certified Gastroenterologists, call us today at (717) 245-2228 or request an appointment online.
Anal Fissure, Abscess, and Fistula
Anal fissures(tears), abscesses and fistulas are just some of the possible complications that can occur with chronic intestinal inflammation, such as occurs with Crohn’s disease and diverticulitis. Our focus is helping our patients to understand their diagnosis, and preventing unpleasant complications through lifestyle changes. Should complications develop, your Gastroenterologist will work with you to determine the underlying causes of your symptoms, offering appropriate treatments to minimize discomfort and promote healing. While many complications can be prevented by implementing dietary and lifestyle changes, medications, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery may be required for relief.
Anemia
Anemia, a blood disorder in which there is a lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin, may result from blood loss, insufficient red blood cell production, or destruction of red blood cells. Anemia may be caused by a poor diet, medications, genetic conditions, chronic illnesses, or kidney disease. Symptoms include fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, and a pale complexion. Anemia can lead to serious medical complications including heart attack. Treatments vary depending upon cause of anemia and may include prescriptions, supplements, or blood transfusions.
Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis
A diverticular disease called diverticulosis, or small pouches that develop on the wall of the digestive tract, often causes no symptoms at all and may initially be diagnosed during a screening colonoscopy or a lower GI series. Although a singular diverticulum, or multiple diverticula, may be found anywhere in the GI tract, they are most commonly found in the lower colon. Diverticula are vulnerable to bleeding and inflammation, which is called diverticulitis and can cause serious complications. Diverticular diseases are often treated with lifestyle changes such as dietary modifications, medications, and in severe cases, surgery or IV antibiotics.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are extremely common, affecting nearly half of Americans over the age of 50. Hemorrhoids may develop when veins in the anus or rectum become swollen in response to pressure in the area, which may be caused or exacerbated by age, pregnancy, constipation, heavy lifting, and straining and/or spending too long sitting on the toilet during bowel movements. Internal hemorrhoids (inside the rectum) may cause painless rectal bleeding, and should they be pushed through the anus and become prolapsed during a bowel movement, they can cause a great deal of pain and irritation. External hemorrhoids, which are visible under the skin around the anus, can itch, bleed, and swell with blood, and should a swollen hemorrhoid form a blood clot, the resulting thrombosed hemorrhoid can be extremely painful. Hemorrhoids can often be treated at home with dietary changes, over the counter medications, and other accommodations. Depending on severity, painful or bleeding hemorrhoids may also be treated with minimally invasive procedures, or surgery.
Rectal Bleeding
Rectal bleeding, which may first be noticed in the stool or on toilet paper, is a symptom that should not be ignored. Commonly caused by hemorrhoids, chronic constipation or anal fissures, rectal bleeding may also be caused by anal cancer, colon cancer, colon polyps, Chron’s disease, colitis, or rectal cancer. Your Gastroenterologist will work with you to diagnose the cause and treat the underlying condition.
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