The colon and rectum are part of your intestines, which are long, hollow tubes about five to six feet long and about an inch or two in diameter. The function of the colon is to absorb water and store the waste-products of digestion until your body is ready to empty them out. It resembles a large question mark. The last portion of the colon is called the rectum.

Here are a few of the colorectal conditions and diseases we treat:

COLORECTAL CANCER

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the mucosa lining of the bowel and can cause a number of bowel symptoms depending on the position of the cancer.

CROHN’S DISEASE/ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Crohn’s disease is a form of colitis that affects the entire gastrointestinal tract, occuring most commonly in the lower part of the small intestine and colon. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation only in the mucosal lining of the colon and does not affect the small intestine or the stomach.

DIVERTICULOSIS/DIVERTICULITIS

Diverticulosis occurs when small sacs or pouches form in the wall of the colon. These sacs are caused by high pressures within the colon and can occur when there is not enough fiber in the bowel movement. Diverticulitis is an inflammation of these sacs due to infection that causes pain or tenderness to the touch.

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

IBS is a condition in which the bowels do not function properly, leading to changes in bowel movements, bloating, cramping, and other possible symptoms.