The colon, which is a part of the large intestines, is a key player of the body’s digestive process, and its health is crucial. There has been an increase in the number of people in Singapore affected by various colon problems such as colon cancer in recent years, thus consulting with a colon doctor in Singapore for screening, correct diagnosis and treatment is essential. Read more to know more about colon diseases and what a colon doctor in Singapore can do.
The colon can be impacted by a number of known disorders, which alters how the colon functions. Due to the interdependence of the many body components, an unhealthy colon will undoubtedly affect other bodily functions which may cause problems in our day-to-day activities. Here are some of the common colon diseases affecting not only Singaporeans but people all over the world that is diagnosed by a colon doctor:
- Polyps in the colon (or colonic polyps)-polyps are tissue growths in the body and the colon can have polyps that are potentially cancerous although most are not harmful.
- Ulcerative colitis (UC)-a disease that causes ulcers(indicated by sores and inflammation) in the lining of the colon and rectum. Although UC can arise at any age, it most commonly manifests itself between the ages of 15 and 30. It usually runs in families. The most common symptoms are stomach pain and bloody or pustular diarrhea.
- Crohn’s disease-primarily characterized as an inflammatory condition that can impair your body’s capacity to digest food, ingest nutrients, and eliminate waste.
- Diverticular disease-causes tiny bulges or pockets (diverticula) to form in the gut lining.
- Diverticulitis-a condition in which the diverticula caused by diverticular disease becomes inflamed or infected; It is frequently a medical emergency that necessitates rapid medical attention and, in many cases, hospitalization.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder affecting the large intestine. It can induce abdominal discomfort, bloating, and bowel changes. Constipation is a symptom of the illness in some persons. Some people get diarrhea. Others alternate between the two. Although IBS can be extremely uncomfortable, it is not harmful to the intestines. IBS is quite common. It affects around twice as many women as males and is most common in adults under the age of 45.
- Colon Cancer and Colorectal Cancer (collective term for Colon and Rectal Cancer)-these are types of cancers that develop in the colon or both colon and rectum (parts of the large intestines). Colon and colorectal cancer is one of the top cancers in Singapore, as per recent studies and affects both the men and women population. After age 50, there is an increased risk of having colon and colorectal cancer. Additionally, having colorectal polyps, having a family history of colorectal cancer, having ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, eating a diet high in fat, or smoking increase your risk of developing it.
Colonic disease treatment varies widely depending on the condition and its severity. To undertake probing inspections of colon and diagnose colon problems, the colon doctor in Singapore oftenly use the medical procedures below:
- Colonoscopy-this procedure will enable the colon doctor to see within the insides of the lining of the colon and the rest of the large intestine to assist in looking for reasons or signs that causes symptoms (e.g. abdominal pain, bleeding, etc.) to a patient
- Laparoscopy-examination of organs in the abdomen using a laparoscope (a special instrument)
- Sigmoidoscopy-this procedure looks at the sigmoid colon, which is the lowermost portion of the colon and searches for abnormalities like polyps
As a form of treatment for different colon diseases, here are the common medical procedures performed by colon doctors in Singapore:
- Polypectomy-performed to remove a polyp from inside the colon which typically involves minimally invasive techniques.
- Bowel Resection Surgery or Colectomy-this is a procedure that involves the removal of a portion or all of the colon; usually performed if a portion or the entire colon has stopped functioning or has an untreatable conditions (e.g. colon cancer, IBS) that pose a risk of spreading/harming adjacent body parts;
- Anastomosis-in surgery, this procedure is the joining of two body channels such as portions of your intestines.
- Laparoscopic Surgery (Keyhole Surgery) -a minimally invasive method in which a fiber-optic camera called a laparoscope is used by the colorectal surgeon to help with the procedure.
- There are a lot of common symptoms among different types of diseases and it might feel confusing to which specialized doctor to consult with. To help with this dilemma, you can first start with your family doctor or general physician for an assessment. If required, your general physician could then refer you to see a colon doctor. The most common reason for a referral to a colon doctor is you need a specialist for a treatment with a surgical component or you need further examination for an official diagnosis and receive the appropriate treatment. For further guidance, here are the common symptoms that often requires a colon doctor:
- Robotic Surgery-this is similar to Laparoscopic Surgery but the surgical procedures involved are done using robotic arms controlled by the colon doctor.
There are a lot of common symptoms among different types of diseases and it might feel confusing to which specialized doctor to consult with. To help with this dilemma, you can first start with your family doctor or general physician for an assessment. If required, your general physician could then refer you to see a colon doctor. The most common reason for a referral to a colon doctor is you need a specialist for a treatment with a surgical component or you need further examination for a diagnosis and receive the appropriate treatment. Additonaly, here are the common symptoms that often requires a colon doctor:
- Bloating of the abdomen
- Blood in the stool
- Abdominal pain
- Pain in the rectum
- Weight loss or appetite loss with no apparent reason
- Bowel incontinence (an inability to control bowel movements that results in unintentional soiling
- Constipation
When you’ve decided it’s time to see a colon doctor in Singapore, you’ll want to make certain you’re selecting the correct one. Consider the following considerations as you figure out your options:
- The colon doctor is board certified , received specialized and advanced training and the necessary education to perform various interventions (from diagnosis to treatment) for colon problems and diseases
- If looking for a particular procedure or treatment, the colon doctor has enough experience and expertise in performing the required medical intervention;
You can also get a referral from your general physician to help you in choosing a colon doctor in Singapore.
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Alpine Surgical Practice
3 Mount Elizabeth #17-16
Singapore 228510
+65 6589 8927
