Expert Care For Colon And Rectal Conditions

Dr. Harkins takes a hands-on approach, guiding patients through every step of their care, from diagnosis to recovery. His expertise in addressing complex conditions and dedication to providing compassionate care make him a trusted choice for those seeking expert treatment for colon and rectal issues.

Functional disorders are conditions in which the bowel looks normal but actually doesn't work properly. The colon's main function is to process three pints of liquid stool it receives each day into a manageable amount of solid stool, ready for elimination. The rectum coordinates this process. There is a lot of variation in the amount of stool a healthy person passes, and can vary from 3 times a day to 3 times per week. Examples of functional disorders are irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, abscess, and colitis.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system (stomach and intestines) also called the gastrointestinal tract. It causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. These tend to come and go over time, and can last for days, weeks or months at a time. It's usually a lifelong problem. This condition causes the colon muscles to contract or tighten in an abnormal fashion, which may lead to several problems like diarrhea, constipation, or an alternate between the two. The abnormal contraction can lead to high pressure that builds up in the colon, causing abdominal cramps, gas, bloating, and sometimes extreme need to go to the bathroom. This disorder is also called a sensitive colon or spastic colon.

Constipation is defined as small, hard, difficult, or infrequent stools. A person who is constipated may strain during a bowel movement or just pass very hard stool. Passage of hard stool may lead to anal problems such as fissures (painful cracks in the anal tissue lining) or hemorrhoids. Constipation may be caused by an inadequate "roughage" or fiber in the diet; not drinking enough fluids, poor habits, especially delaying using the toilet; and/or movement problems in the large bowel, including slow or uncoordinated movement.

Colitis is an inflammation of the lining of the colon may be located in either the large or small intestine. It causes diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal cramps, and an increased need to go to the bathroom. There are several types of colitis including infectious colitis (due to an infection that attacks the large bowel), ischemic colitis (caused by not enough blood going to the colon), ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn’s Disease. Treatment depends on the diagnosis, which is made by colonoscopy and biopsy (removal of cells or tissue for examination under a microscope). 

Dr. Brian Harkins is dedicated to providing expert care for patients with colon and rectum functional disorders. With his extensive experience and commitment to personalized treatment, Dr. Harkins ensures that each patient receives a comprehensive approach to managing and treating conditions like IBS, constipation, and colitis, helping them achieve improved health and quality of life.