Rectal bleeding can be rather unnerving. Find out if colon polyps could be to blame.

If you have colon polyps you may not even know it. Sometimes the only way people find out that they have this issue is when our Houston, TX, gastroenterologist, Dr. Krishnamurthy Shivshanker, performs a bowel examination. However, some people with colon polyps may, in fact, experience symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Rectal bleeding (this can also be a sign of a minor tear or hemorrhoids)
• Stool color changes (stool that contains blood may look black)
• Diarrhea or constipation that lasts more than one week
• Nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting (if the colon polyp obstructs the bowels)

When should you visit our Houston, TX, GI doctor?

It’s always a good idea to pick up the phone and give us a call if you are dealing with blood in your stool, abdominal pain or changes in your bowels that last longer than one week.

If you have a family history of colon cancer or if you are 50 years old or older, you should be getting routine screenings for polyps.

Are polyps a cause for concern?

Some colon polyp may be cancerous or become cancerous, which is why it’s so important that they are caught early and removed. The earlier they are detected and treated the less likely that they will be cancerous.

How are colon polyps removed?

During a bowel exam we can usually remove the polyp with special instruments. If the polyp is rather large, we may inject a special liquid into it to lift it away from neighboring healthy tissue so that it’s easier to remove. If the polyp is too large or is too difficult to remove through a traditional exam then we will need to perform surgery. Once the polyp is removed it is tested to make sure that it is benign.

Houston Digestive Diseases Consultants is dedicated to providing the very best gastrointestinal medical care. Whether you are experiencing symptoms of a colon polyp or you are dealing with suspicious stomach problems, let our GI medical experts in Houston, TX, treat your issues.