Digestive System Conditions That Can be Treated Using Gastrointestinal Surgery

Your digestive system is a very intricate system that can be disrupted by something as essential as your diet. The disruptions will cause your system to have various problems. While your doctor could prescribe multiple medications to minimize your symptoms, some complications will only cease after a surgical procedure. Florida Lakes Surgical professionals use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat various digestive conditions including gastrointestinal surgery in Sebring. The expert physicians will recommend the procedure to remove a growth from your digestive system or repair problems like a hernia.  

How will you benefit from gastrointestinal surgery?

Removing an infected or damaged body part or a tumor could be life-saving. The surgery will improve your life quality if you have failed to benefit from other treatment options. A colonoscopy will also help your doctor detect colon cancer in its early stages and design a treatment plan.  

How does your doctor diagnose issues with your digestive system?

Before recommending treatment, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and determine the possible source of your pain through a diagnosis. During the process (endoscopy), your doctor will screen and diagnose your various digestive system issues. Your doctor will check inside your body using a thin tube that has an attached camera at the end. Suppose the problem is on your esophagus or stomach, your doctor will insert the tube through your esophagus. The expert will insert the scope through your anus into your intestines to check for your intestinal issues.   

Which conditions will your doctor use gastrointestinal surgery to treat?

Gastrointestinal surgery treats diseases found in most parts of your body that take part in digestion. These parts include your small and large intestines, esophagus, stomach, and rectum. Your doctor will use the process to remove damaged parts of your digestive system or a growth.

The various gastrointestinal conditions your doctor will treat with the surgery include:

  • Appendicitis. Your doctor will be forced to remove your appendix if it gets inflamed or infected.
  • Diverticular disease. A diverticulum is a tiny pouch in your colon that could sometimes get inflamed, resulting in pain. Though your doctor can help you manage the pain without a surgical procedure, he could recommend surgery to remove the affected part of your intestine if you have several inflamed pouches.
  • Gastrointestinal cancers. Your doctor will use the treatment to eliminate cancerous cells and specific parts of your digestive system adversely affected by cancer.
  • Hernia. You will likely develop a hernia when a part of your body pushes through a weak spot or hole of the muscle wall or connective tissues meant to protect it. 
  • Gallbladder. You will need your doctor to remove your gallbladder if it has gallstones or is getting inflamed.
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Also known as acid reflux, GERD occurs when your stomach acid reflux or backs up into your esophagus, making you experience heartburn.
  • Rectal prolapse. The condition forces a part of your intestine to come through your anus.    

Your digestive system’s primary function is to assist your body digest and absorb food. A malfunction on any part of your gastrointestinal tract could result in adverse effects, some of which only respond to a surgical procedure. Book an appointment to learn more about gastrointestinal surgery.