Initial consultationYour initial consultation will be geared around gaining a full understanding of the history of your problem and then requesting appropriate diagnostic tests. Your consultant will firstly take a detailed history of your symptoms ,which may include several factors including the exact timeline of the condition and the nature of your symptoms, as well as the location and type of pain you may be experiencing.
Our experts will look to gain an understanding of any possible relationship of your symptoms to meals and to clarify any associated symptoms such as weight loss, bleeding and fatigue. You may also be asked detailed questions around your family medical history, as in some cases this can predispose to developing certain types of colorectal conditions.
Our surgeons will normally conduct an examination of the rectum and lower part of the colon using a device known as a rigid sigmoidoscopy. This is a small device that is inserted in to the colon and uses a light to allow a colorectal surgeon to examine the area.
Depending on your symptoms and the findings of a rigid sigmoidoscopy you may be required to undergo a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which enables visualisation further up the colon or a colonoscopy, which allows visualisation of the whole of the colon.
State-of-the-art diagnostics available for you
Diagnostic tests requested may include imaging such as CT or MRI scans as well as specialist blood tests used to detect levels of inflammation, genetic markers or certain tumour marker tests.
The right treatment for you, always
In the event of inflammatory bowel disease our consultants will take in to account the severity of your symptoms, imaging findings and any abnormal blood tests before discussing pharmacological management versus any surgical options.
There are many different types of surgery to treat inflammatory bowel disease, as well as to remove any tumours in the lower gastrointestinal tract. The type of surgery offered will depend on the extent and location of the underlying problem as well as your underlying medical status.
Surgical resection of the affected bowel is often performed in a two-stage operation, with a colostomy bag being used in the interim period to allow the small bowel to heal sufficiently.
For individuals suffering with haemorrhoids who have not responded to specialist creams and ointments, our surgeons are able to perform a surgical removal or offer procedures which are able to remove the blood supply to the haemorrhoids, such as injections or banding procedures.