Colorectal Polyps in Illinois
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Find a ProviderWhat are colon polyps?
Polyps, occasionally known as colorectal polyps, are a common condition present in adult individuals. The label “colorectal” includes the colon and the rectum. Several health situations that include the colon tend to include the rectum, which is the reason they are many times referenced together. A colon polyp is a polyp that exists in either the rectum or the colon. A colon polyp is a mass comprised of cells on the lining of the rectum or colon.
Polyps alone are commonly harmless and do not cause symptoms. However, colon and rectal polyps should be addressed since they can, after a time, become cancerous. To obtain a diagnosis for colon polyps, the GI physicians at GI Alliance of Illinois routinely perform colonoscopy services. Please contact our facility to schedule a colonoscopy in Chicago, IL, or Bloomington, IL.
What are the causes of colon polyps?
Colon polyps come to be when cells divide or grow more than what would be the norm. The medical community remains without proof as to the reasons this happens, regardless, there are correlations and risk factors that are associated with people who have colorectal polyps. Request an appointment with our GI providers at GI Alliance of Illinois for more information.
Some of the risk factors for colon polyps in Illinois patients include:
- Genetic predisposition
- Having a family or personal history of colorectal polyps
- Type 2 diabetes
- Crohn's disease
- Smoking
- Being over 45 years of age
- Ulcerative colitis
- “Typical Western diet” (low fiber, high fat)
- High consumption of alcohol
- Obesity
Inherited genetic conditions can elevate a person's risk of having colon polyps. Such conditions include:
- Gardner’s syndrome
- MYH-associated polyposis (MAP)
- Serrated polyposis syndrome
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
- Lynch syndrome
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
What are the common symptoms of colorectal polyps?
Some instances of colon or rectal polyps do not manifest with symptoms. If symptoms are being experienced, some of the most prevalent indications of colorectal polyps include:
- Blood in the stool
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Constipation
- Diarrhea (lasting for more than seven days)
If you are experiencing any combination of the previously mentioned symptoms, are 45 years of age or greater, or have a family history of colorectal polyps or colon cancer and are in the Illinois area, reach out to our staff at GI Alliance of Illinois about screening for colon cancer.
What does it mean if a doctor identifies polyps during a colonoscopy?
It is common to detect polyps during a colonoscopy in Illinois, and often, polyps are not cancerous (benign). Polyps identified through a colonoscopy will often be removed during the course of your colonoscopy (polypectomy) and evaluated for cancer. If your colon polyps are determined to be non-malignant, then your doctor might recommend regular screenings for colon cancer in the future. If any polyp is diagnosed as malignant (cancerous), you and your GI Alliance of Illinois doctor will discuss the appropriate next steps.
The most common way to address colon polyps is by removing them during a colonoscopy at GI Alliance of Illinois. During a colonoscopy (or flexible sigmoidoscopy), polyps in the rectum and colon can be removed as a part of a procedure known as a polypectomy. In extreme cases, a part of or all of your rectum or colon may require removal.
Colorectal Polyps FAQs
Are colorectal polyps genetic?
A familial history of colon polyps can raise your personal risk of this health concern. Certain types of polyps can have a genetic correlation and be more likely to occur among relatives. Consult your gastrointestinal physician about your health and family history of colon polyps to evaluate your risk and the need for colorectal cancer screenings.
Will colorectal polyps grow back after removal?
It is uncommon for a colorectal polyp to regrow once it has been completely excised. However, some people may have new polyps occur in other areas of the colon or rectum. As such, it is essential to have routine screenings for colorectal cancer as prescribed by your doctor.
Can colon polyps be prevented?
You may be unable to keep polyps from developing, especially if you carry an increased risk due to genetics. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle could help lessen the risk of colon or rectal polyps. This involves following a balanced diet, avoiding the use of tobacco, limiting the consumption of alcohol, and getting enough exercise. Having periodic colonoscopy screenings upon turning 45 can also help reduce your chance of developing polyps.
How long is the recovery period following colon polyp removal?
Generally, most individuals take around a week to recuperate after polyp removal during a colonoscopy procedure. The GI Alliance of Illinois staff will provide you with post-op information on what you can expect during the recovery period and when you can proceed with your normal activities.
Get treatment for colorectal polyps
Colorectal polyps can be identified, removed, and assessed for cancer at a routine colonoscopy procedure. As a physician-led group of gastrointestinal specialists, GI Alliance of Illinois strives to provide a patient-centric experience. To discover more about colon and rectal polyps and how they may be detected and removed, please reach out to our gastroenterology office in Illinois today.
Reviews
Finding a doctor whom you can fully trust and rely about your health is one delicate task. For my husband Steve and I, I did ask recommendations from friends and others I know. I did go farther than that by going to a website that can tell me more about the person like what school where he graduated, where he did his residency, if there is any lawsuit against him. Having these informations is only a part of the equation but are solid enough to hold unto for a start. With all the names I was recommended and my own researched, I chose Dr. Walter Reid Glaws, DO. I started seeing him on the 3rd quarter of 2008. My husband followed my lead a year later. Dr. Glaws is been our gastroenterologist for over 14 years. We highly and absolutely recommend Dr Glaws to anyone who is in need of his expertise. He has the integrity, intelligence, energy and unwavering dedication to do his job the best he can. He has the excellent physician manners to his patients, full of compassion and understanding and takes his time to explain to his patients things they needed to know. Our honest observations of him for over 14 long years is that his patient's well being is his foremost goal as a physician. Deep in his heart, we noticed he takes his ( Hipocrates Oath seriously when taking care his patients. He had performed multiple endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures to us through the years. He had done several biopsies and and several polyps removals too. I underwent GERD treatment and was a success as well. In 2009, he found in my endoscopy procedure that I have nodules in my stomach wall. I went to see a surgeon (and got 4 more different opinions from other surgeons who aren't related to one another) that led me to have a partial gastrectomy. After my successful stomach surgery, we continued to go visit him for any gastroenterology issues we have. He moved in 2018 from the clinic where we used to go see him that is just 7 minutes away from our residence. He moved quite from us to other branches of his practice group. I went to see another one but I don't see those same qualities he have so we decided to follow him. My husband and I, just have our 2 endoscopy and 2 colonoscopy procedures with him this Dec. of 2022. Again, as always his service was unparallel. We can boldly say, we owe him so much of our good health in his expertise and that we're so appreciative for all he had done for us and for many more years to come. His office employees are awesome and so helpful and kind. The Northshore Endoscopy Center in Waukegan where we have our back to back procedures is a great place to go. The employees- from front desk, nurses, anesthesiologist, and everyone in the there were amazing and compassionate. May God bless Dr Glaws, his family and the people who work with him always. Thank you greatly to you all. Respectfully Yours, Evangeline Evanston, IL.
My husband was the patient, and we share this phone. We were very impressed with our visits with DR LIEBOVICH. His manor of care was far beyond anything my husband had ever experienced. Jesus has never been sick except for the initial cold and flu. Now that he has reached retirement years. All the ailments are stepping out to say HELLO. But DR and his staff were friendly, kind and sympathetic to his needs. With a simple explanation as to the results of his CT scan, and change in diet Jesus is doing better. He can only say Thank you !
My experience with Dr. Pillai has been nothing short of exceptional. Every interaction has been enlightening, educational and most importantly life changing. Dr. Pillai's unique ability to communicate with me in a manner that I understand while affording me the time to absorb information and formulate my next question is imperative to a good outcome-both physically and mentally-and that is exactly what I am experiencing!!!
Dr Colandra is a great Dr. I’ve seen him for a couple colonoscopies and removal of polyps. He’s understanding, thorough, and patient.
I have only met Dr. Glaws once and I can honestly say that this Dr. is top notch in my book. He is professional, kind and knowledgeable. I felt right at ease, I’m 62 and this kind of doctor has only come along one other time. I feel blessed to be in his care.
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