A colonoscopy is an exam your doctor uses to look inside your large intestine for possible causes of things you may be experiencing such as: abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or changes in bowel habits.  Colorectal cancer can also be prevented  with a colonoscopy exam as abnormal growths, called polyps, can be removed before they transform into cancers.

EGD stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy.  During an EGD test, an endoscope (small, lighted camera on the end of a long, flexible tube) is used to examine the inside of your body.  An endoscope is inserted down the throat, through the esophagus and into your stomach.

Hernia Repair may be required to fix a hernia that grows larger over time and will not permanently resolve on their own.  What is a hernia?  A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ or body part protrudes into an area where it does not belong inside your body; this most commonly happens in the abdominal area where a small portion of the intestine, or a piece of fat pokes through a weak area in the muscular wall of the abdomen.  When this happens, an abnormal bulge may appear under the skin near the groin or navel.  This bulge or lump can be painless, but it can also cause quite a bit pressure and pain.

A cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your gallbladder.  Your gallbladder is located right below your liver on the right side of your abdomen.  It is a pear-shaped organ that collects and stores bile (a digestive fluid produced in your liver).  You may need your gallbladder removed if you experience the following symptoms:

Gallstones
Gallbladder Inflammation
Gallbladder Polyps
Pancreas Inflammation

An appendectomy is a surgery to remove the appendix.  This is a common surgery that takes place when the appendix becomes infected, commonly referred to as appendicitis.  Your appendix is a thin pouch attached to the large intestine located in the lower right part of your abdomen.

Symptoms of appendicitis may include the following:

• Pain in the abdomen that continues to worsen over time
• Upset stomach and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Trouble having a bowel movement (constipation)
• Trouble passing gas
• Swollen abdomen
• Fever and chills
• Loose stool (diarrhea)
• Pain may feel worse when moving, taking deep breaths, being touched, coughing or sneezing
• Pain may be felt all over abdomen if appendix bursts

This type of surgery removes part of your colon (large intestine) in order to treat blockage that may occur due to bleeding, infection, ulcers caused by inflammation, and cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.  In a laparoscopic procedure the surgeon will operate with a scope used to see inside the body allowing smaller incisions to be made to remove the entire or parts of the bowel.  The benefits to this type of surgery may include: less pain after surgery, shortened hospital stay, faster return to solid-food diet, faster return of bowel function, and faster return to normal activity.

A lesion is an area of abnormal tissue, inside or outside the body, that may get bigger or change appearance.  A lesion is either benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).

You should visit with your doctor if you have a lesion and experience any of the following:

• Pain
• Bleeding or inflammation
• Infection
• Noticeable growth or change in appearance
• Itching

A breast biopsy is a procedure that removes a sample of breast tissue so that it may be tested in a lab.  Pathologists, specializing in blood analysis and body tissue, can determine if there are any issues to cause concern.  A breast biopsy is mostly uncomfortable with minimal pain if any.

A mastectomy is a surgical procedure that removes one or both breasts (double mastectomy) partially or completely.  The most common reason for this surgery is to treat breast cancer.  There are several kinds of mastectomies that can be performed.   Severity level and often times preference are deciding factors to which surgery the patient will undergo.

A central venous line may be placed when long-term intravenous care is needed.  This procedure places a catheter in a centrally located vain (in the neck or chest) in order to give the patient fluids, nutrients, or medication.

Carpal tunnel has many causes.  At one time it was thought to be caused by the overuse of the wrist or hand, but more research has found that there are other possible reasons for this painful condition.  The carpal tunnel is formed by the wrist bones on the bottom, and the transverse carpal ligament across the top.  When this area is injured, swelling of the tissue can press on the median nerve causing numbness,  tingling, pain, and loss of function when not treated.

Your doctor will likely try nonsurgical methods to treat the condition before performing a Carpal Tunnel Release.  If surgery is needed, the procedure itself is not complicated.  The complicated part comes after surgery when you are unable to use your hand while allowing your wrist to recover.  It is common to wear heavy bandage or a splint for up to two weeks, you have to keep the affected hand elevated while sleeping to decrease swelling, and after the bandage is removed you may need physical therapy.

Hemorrhoid Banding:
Hemorrhoids can be treated by a method called hemorrhoid banding; a procedure where a tiny rubber band is placed at the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off the flow of blood.  After about a week, the hemorrhoid usually shrinks and falls off.

Hemorrhoidectomy:
Another treatment option is excising the hemorrhoid.  The procedure involves cutting the hemorrhoids away from the anus using small cuts.

Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections:
Back pain and leg pain have been treated by steroid injections for decades.  It involves injecting a local anesthetic and a steroid medication directly into the epidural space that surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections:
Neck, shoulder, and arm pain can be treated with a steroid injection that places medication into the area around the spinal cord in your neck.

Many people associate Botox with “removing wrinkles”; a solution to hiding your age.  But Botox can also help with migraines as well.  If you get migraine headaches often, Botox injections may help to alleviate or dull the pain associated with migraines.  It is believed that it works as well as it does because it blocks chemicals called neurotransmitters that carry pain signals from your brain.  Botox essentially acts as a roadblock stopping the chemicals before they reach the nerve endings around your head and neck.

The procedure uses a thin needle to inject tiny amounts of botulinum toxin into the muscles in your forehead, temples, and the back of your head and neck.

Talk to your provider and see if this is a treatment option for you.