Many conditions that affect the colon and rectum, such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, can be easily treated without the need for surgery. However, there are other more serious disorders that require surgery to remove or repair an abnormality. In addition to severely impacting your quality of life, these disorders can prove fatal if left untreated.
In this brief article, we will be discussing the structural disorders of the colon and rectum. If you are experiencing abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramps, constipation, fatigue, urgency, or rectal bleeding, you may be suffering from one of the below disorders. If that’s the case, be sure to have yourself screened by a colorectal surgeon in Tampa.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are veins and blood vessels located inside and outside of the anus. While they don’t normally cause issues, hemorrhoids can become swollen and inflamed due to strain and pregnancy. Pain, discomfort, itching, and bleeding are common symptoms.
Fistulas
Most anal fistulas form when a gland in the anus becomes blocked and infected. This infection then spreads, forming a tunnel between the anus and skin. Unfortunately, fistulas do not heal with time. Those suffering from a fistula and its discomforting symptoms will require colorectal surgery in Tampa.
Diverticulitis
Diverticular disease occurs when small pouches form in the walls of the colon. While this sounds frightening, diverticular disease is relatively common and generally produces no symptoms. However, this may lead to diverticulitis, a condition characterized by abdominal pain and fever as a result of these pouches becoming infected.
Colitis
Colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the bowel. This disease can take several forms, including Crohn’s disease, a potentially life-threatening condition. Symptoms of colitis include rectal bleeding, diarrhea, cramps, and incontinence. Those that suffer from colitis are at an increased risk of developing colon cancer.
Colorectal Cancer
Cancer of the colon or rectum is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States and affects both men and women. Like many of the other disorders on this list, the symptoms of colorectal cancer include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits, and fatigue. Colorectal cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer and is expected to cause 51,020 deaths in 2019. Despite this haunting number, the death rate of colorectal cancer has been dropping due to the success of procedures that remove colorectal polyps before they become cancerous.
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The above disorders are all treatable through noninvasive, robotic-assisted surgery performed by Whalen Clark, M.D. With the da Vinci® surgical system, Dr. Clark. is able to surgically treat colorectal disorders with minimal pain, discomfort, and scarring. There is simply no need for you to suffer from the embarrassing symptoms of a treatable illness. If you are suffering from a colorectal disorder, seek the expertise of Whalen Clark, M.D., the leading colorectal surgeon in Tampa.
To schedule a consultation with Whalen Clark, M.D., the foremost colorectal surgeon in Tampa, please contact us today.
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