Have you been recently diagnosed with colorectal disease? It’s not uncommon for newly diagnosed patients to feel somewhat lost and confused about their health conditions. Your Dallas Colorectal Surgeon is without a doubt, your best source of information. However, if you want to go into your doctor’s appointment prepared, read on! Doing some research and being informed about what your diagnosis entails is an important part of coping with the disease. This can best help you understand the possible outcomes and treatment options in your future. In this article, we’ll go over the most common colorectal diseases and their treatments. This way you’ll be ready for your next Forth Worth colorectal surgeon appointment.

Let’s take a look at these colorectal diseases:

Ulcerative Colitis

This inflammatory disease affects the large intestine or colon. It is fairly common and affects mainly young people, under the age of 30. 

This disease presents itself in many ways. Symptoms include: bleeding when passing stools, bloating, abdominal pain and either diarrhea, constipation or both. People diagnosed with this condition are at a higher risk for colorectal cancer. For this reason, it is important to manage the condition under the care of a medical specialist.

Unfortunately, there’s no definitive cure for this disease. However, there are some treatment alternatives that help improve a patient’s quality of life. Your physician might prescribe medical treatment or in some cases recommend surgery. The possibility of surgery should be carefully evaluated by a colorectal surgeon.

Diverticular Disease

Diverticulosis is far more common than people think, especially in old age. This disease involves pockets forming the wall of your large intestine. These pockets can get inflamed, infected or even rupture!

Early detection of the pockets can prevent uncomfortable symptoms and complications from appearing. If you have been diagnosed with this disease, or suspect you have it, visiting your colorectal surgeon in Dallas is essential. Treatment includes medication, lifestyle changes and in some cases surgery. 

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are both common and extremely uncomfortable. Patients with hemorrhoids can experience discomfort during their daily activities. They can develop both externally around the anus, or internally. While both of these are prone to bleeding, not all hemorrhoids are painful.

While mild symptoms can improve with fiber and increased water intake, other cases require the attention of a colorectal surgeon. Your Dallas colorectal surgeon can remove your hemorrhoids during surgery.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a common cause of death in the USA and worldwide. However, it’s prognosis is far better when detected early on. For this reason, spreading awareness about the topic is extremely valuable.

A history of cancer, polyps and as mentioned above, ulcerative colitis can increase a person’s risk of colorectal cancer. Patients with such risk factors should be monitored by a physician. Testing of stools and digital exam are part of the tools used to detect this problem.

If a patient presents suspicious symptoms, he or she can be referred to a colorectal surgeon, who will continue investigations. In most cases, colorectal cancer involves surgical treatment.

DFW Bariatrics and General Surgery Colorectal Surgeons

If you require surgical treatment, make sure you consider a minimally invasive approach! At DFW Bariatrics and General Surgery in Dallas, our colorectal surgeons perform laparoscopy and robotic surgery, which involves tiny incisions. Call us at 469-620-0222 for more information.