About
Need to know
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Symptoms of lower intestinal bleeding icon plus
Symptoms of LGIB might include:
- Maroon coloured faeces. This may result from bleeding on the right side of the colon
- Passing bright red blood through the anus. This can be from bleeding on the left side of the colon
- Dark coloured faeces with bleeding in the cecal (pouch at the beginning of the large intestine)
It is also possible for LGIB to originate from the digestive conditions such as:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Diverticulosis
- Haemorrhoids
- Colon polyps
- Peptic ulcers
- Cancerous tumours
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Diagnosis icon plus
Your consultant will discuss your symptoms with you and help to make a diagnosis. Tests we offer to diagnose LGIB include:
- Colonoscopy. A long and thin tube with a camera is passed through your anus, showing video images of your colon and bowels
- Radionuclide scans. A radionuclide chemical is injected into a vein. Diseased cells in the lower intestine are picked up by the chemical and release gamma rays to a gamma camera
- Angiography. A contrast dye inserted into your artery detects bleeding vessels through an X-ray
- Blood tests
- Endoscopic ultrasound. An ultrasound probe attached to an endoscope examines tissues in your digestive tract
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Potential treatment options icon plus
Your consultant will discuss your treatment options and help to determine the best approach for you. Treatment options might include:
- Endoscopic thermal probes can burn blood vessels around the intestine. This helps stop bleeding ulcers. This is also possible by injecting special fluids or glue in this area
- Endoscopic clips to close bleeding vessels
- Special endoscopic bands to tie bleeding hemorrhoids and vessels
- Angiographic embolization blocks blood vessels by inserting particles into them
- In some cases, surgery may be required to remove part of your intestine. Your consultant will discuss this procedure in detail with you
Our facilities
From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
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The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place
London W1U 5NY
Appointments 020 7908 8001
Enquiries 020 7486 1234
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The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
London NW8 9LE
Appointments 0207 483 5148
Enquiries 0207 586 5959
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London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2PR
Appointments & Enquiries 0207 234 2009
Imaging Appointments 0207 234 2773
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The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street
London
W1G 8BJ
Appointments 020 7034 8181
Enquiries 020 7935 7700
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The Portland Hospital
205 - 209 Great Portland Street
London
W1W 5AH
Children's enquiries 020 7390 8020
Maternity enquiries 020 7390 6068
Gynaecology enquiries 020 7390 6200 -
London Digestive Centre
41 Welbeck Street
London
W1G 8DU
Call 020 7908 8003
Opening hours Monday - Friday: 8am - 8pm
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London Digestive Health
2nd Floor
41 Welbeck Street
London W1G 8DU
Call 020 7616 7645
Opening hours Monday - Friday: 8.30am - 7pm
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London Digestive Surgery
41 Welbeck Street
London
W1G 8DU
Call 020 3131 5319
Opening hours Monday - Friday: 8am - 8pm
All of our upper GI and colorectal consultant are at our Chiswick clinic on Saturdays