Lower GI Tract
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Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Function
Our Lower GI Tract in San Diego services focus on expert diagnosis and treatment for disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus.
Most nutrients from the food you eat are absorbed in the jejunum, while vitamin B12 and bile salts are absorbed in the ileum. The remaining material passes into the colon, where water is absorbed, and the leftover particles solidify into stool.
The stool then moves through the lower part of the colon, rectum, and anal canal, where it exits the body as a bowel movement — completing the digestive process.
Lower GI symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and hemorrhoids can be painful and shouldn’t be ignored, as they may signal an underlying gastrointestinal condition.
If you’re experiencing persistent lower GI symptoms, contact San Diego Advanced Gastroenterology Associates for evaluation and relief.
Call 619-303-9000 to schedule your appointment today.
- Crohn’s Disease – inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any GI segment, often the small intestine.
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) – excess bacteria in the small intestine causing bloating and diarrhea.
- Intestinal Obstruction – partial or complete blockage.
- Malabsorption Syndromes – like lactose intolerance and chronic pancreatic insufficiency.
Colon
- Ulcerative Colitis – IBD causing inflammation in the colon.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – functional disorder causing pain, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.
- Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis – small pouches in colon wall that can get inflamed.
- Colorectal Cancer – cancer of the colon or rectum.
- Colonic Polyps – resection via endoscopic approach ( EMR or ESD ).
- Infectious Colitis – caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
- Ischemic Colitis – reduced blood flow to the colon.
Rectum & Anus
- Hemorrhoids – swollen veins in the rectum/anus.
Pancreatic Diseases
- Acute Pancreatitis Sudden inflammation of the pancreas (often due to gallstones, alcohol, or high triglycerides).
- Chronic Pancreatitis Long-term inflammation causing scarring, pain, and pancreatic insufficiency.
- Pancreatic Cancer Often presents late; commonly adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head.
- Pancreatic Cysts Includes pseudocysts (from pancreatitis) or neoplastic cysts (like IPMN, MCN).
- Pancreatic Insufficiency Inability to produce enough enzymes; leads to malabsorption and steatorrhea.
- Hereditary Pancreatitis Genetic mutations leading to recurrent pancreatitis.
Biliary Tract Diseases
- Cholelithiasis (Gallstones) Stones in the gallbladder; may be asymptomatic or cause biliary colic.
- Cholecystitis Inflammation of the gallbladder, usually from gallstones.
- Choledocholithiasis Gallstones in the common bile duct—can cause jaundice or pancreatitis.
- Cholangitis Infection of the bile ducts, often due to obstruction (e.g., stone, stricture).
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) Chronic inflammation and fibrosis of bile ducts, often associated with IBD.
- Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) Autoimmune destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts.
- Bile Duct Strictures Narrowing from surgery, inflammation, or cancer.
At San Diego Advanced Gastroenterology Associates, we’re committed to your digestive health. For an appointment with one of our Board-Certified Gastroenterologists, please call 619-303-9000 to schedule. Our specialized doctors will recommend diagnostic testing, such as a lower GI test, along with lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery to alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Your doctor may recommend diagnostic testing such as colonoscopy, enteroscopy, or a lower GI series/barium enema, along with lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery to alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life.
At San Diego Advanced Gastroenterology Associates . Our board-certified Gastroenterologists are experts at diagnosing and treating lower GI conditions, including :
- Hemorrhoids
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Rectal Bleeding
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Constipation
- Crohn’s Disease
- Diarrhea
- Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis
- Anal Fissure, Abscess, and Fistula
- Anemia
- Colon Polyps
- Colon Cancer
Examples of functional GI and motility disorders that affect the lower GI tract include:
- Bowel incontinence
- Chronic constipation
- Chronic diarrhea
- Dyssynergic defecation
- Functional abdominal pain syndrome
- Hirschsprung’s disease
- Intestinal pseudo-obstruction
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
You should see a gastroenterologist if you’re experiencing any of these common symptoms:
- Rectal bleeding.
- Leakage / underwear stains.
- Bowel movement urges that are hard to control.
- Diarrhea.
- Changes in bowel habits.
- Pale-colored stools.
- Dark urine.
If you’re experiencing symptoms, contact our Lower GI Tract in San Diego clinic for timely, expert care.