Gastrointestinal surgery is a treatment for people who suffer from diseases formed in the digestive organs of the body. The digestive organs include the esophagus, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum. Usually, gastrointestinal conditions can be treated with laparoscopic surgery, also known as the method where small incisions are created on the abdomen as opposed to traditional surgery, where large incisions would be created.
Common Types Of Gastrointestinal Diseases
- Appendicitis: This disease occurs when the appendix becomes infected and inflamed, so it needs to be removed. Initially, appendicitis incites a lot of pain therefore surgery is immediately required.
- Colon Cancer: Cancerous tumors may form in the large intestine, so they need to be removed as soon as possible. Gastrointestinal surgery can be performed to remove the tumors.
- Diverticular Disease: A diverticulum is a minor part of the large intestine that is represented by a small pouch-like exterior. This condition arises inexplicably, although it can be treated immediately.
- Hernia: A hernia occurs when an organ is exposed through a hole in the sensitive spot of muscle tissue. It does not break through the skin, but it presents as a bulge in the body. It can be addressed by gastrointestinal surgery.
- Gallbladder Disease: Sometimes, there are problems in the gallbladder, such as developing gallstones, so in this case, the gallbladder can be removed through laparoscopic surgery.
How Do You Spot If You Have Gastrointestinal Problems?
If you experience abdominal pain or any kind of uncomfortable sensation in the abdomen, then that is an easy way to spot a gastrointestinal condition. Several other symptoms such as cramps, feeling nausea and vomiting frequently, heartburn, weight loss, loss of appetite, bloating, and fatigue are common symptoms among many. If you spot blood in your feces, then you should consult a doctor immediately.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Diseases
Most of the time, it might be your diet that is interfering with your healthy digestive system. Most of the time, we are not conscious of what we consume, and that may lead to complications. Ideally, you should consume foods with a high fiber content as low fiber food can easily lead to digestive problems.
Additionally, other causes such as lack of water in your body, too much stress, eating dairy products in excess, lack of body movement, genetic conditions, and aging can cause gastrointestinal diseases as well.
Preparing For The Surgery
You should follow your doctor’s instructions diligently. If they advise you about any dietary restrictions or something you should consume for the surgery, then make sure you follow them properly as the instructions could be critical for the operation. Make a solid plan before the surgery so that you will not have to move a lot of post-surgery and deal with your daily tasks easily.
Risks and Side Effects
As it goes without saying, any surgery comes with its share of complications. With gastrointestinal surgery, the risks and side effects are similar. For example, an infection can form when the body is cut up during surgery, the patient will experience a lot of pain during recovery, sometime the patient’s cuts from the surgery might open up again and form blood clots. The risk of a body part being damaged during surgery is pretty much evident most of the time. The doctors at IMH are highly skilled and trained to perform the operation, hence you can rest assured that the procedure will be carried out as safely as possible.
How Long Is Recovery From Gastrointestinal Surgery?
If your surgery was non-invasive, then you should be able to go back to your daily activities almost immediately. However, depending on how invasive your surgery might have been, you may need to take some time off to heal and deal with the pain afterward. For more information on the different conditions that can be treated with gastrointestinal surgery, contact us today at 044063000 or email us at info@imh.ae.