Digestive tract disease is all too common.  The digestive system can be plagued by a number of diseases with a range of complications. The Jackson Clinic can help you when you need it most, offering surgical solutions for colon cancer, diverticular disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal polyps and large bowel obstructions.  Some of the most regular causes necessitating colon resection, or colectomy, are:

Colon Cancer—Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States.  However, with early diagnosis and proper treatment, this devastating disease is often completely curable.  Nearly all colon cancers begin as benign polyps, which over time develop into cancer.  Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are risk factors for colorectal cancer.  High-fat, low-fiber diets may also be risk factors.  Some symptoms of colon cancer are abdominal pain, bloody stool, diarrhea and unexplained weight loss.

Diverticular Disease—Diverticular disease refers to small pouches that can develop in the lining of the large intestine.  Those pouches may become inflamed or infected, causing a number of painful symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, constipation and diarrhea.  Diverticular disease is extremely rare in those under 30 and most commonly effects those over 60.  The disease is widely attributed to diets low in fiber, but genetic predisposition is also a factor.

Intestinal Blockage due to Scar Tissue—Bowel obstruction can have a number of causes, but one of the most common is blockage due to scar tissue, or adhesions.  This condition may occur after the intestines become inflamed or are cut during surgery.  The scar tissue blocks material from continuing through the intestine, resulting in food backing up and causing symptoms like severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.

Crohn’s Disease—Affecting as many as two million Americans, Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine, causing tears in the intestinal lining.  It can affect any part of the digestive system.  Crohn’s disease is closely related to a similar condition, ulcerative colitis.  Well over half of all patient’s with Crohn’s disease will, at some time, require surgery, although it does not cure the condition.  Symptoms of Crohn’s disease include intestinal bleeding, infections and narrowing.

Ulcerative Colitis—Together, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are commonly referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).  Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation of the colon’s inner lining and the rectal wall.  Unlike Crohn’s disease, severe ulcerative colitis may be cured with surgery.  However, most patients receive adequate treatment through medication.  Symptoms include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and diarrhea.

Precancerous Polyps—Polyps are simply small clumps of cells that form on the lining of the intestine.  Usually, they are benign and symptomless.  However, they can become cancerous, but still have no symptoms. High risk groups, such as those over 50, overweight or smokers should have regular screenings for cancerous polyps.  If polyps are found early, they can usually be safely removed.  The earlier they are removed, the less likely that those polyps will become malignant.

While surgery is not always the best option, if your doctor recommends it to treat your colon condition, consider the minimally-invasive da Vinci robotic colon resection surgery at The Jackson Clinic.

The benefits of robotic colectomy include:

• Significantly less pain
• Less blood loss
• Less scarring
• A shorter hospital stay
• A faster return to normal daily activities