Medical Conditions

Click on the links below to find information on some of the Medical Conditions we treat at Waitemata Endoscopy:<

Barrett’s Oesophagus:

Barrett’s oesophagus is the term used for a condition where the normal cells lining the oesophagus (gullet) have been replaced with abnormal cells. The abnormal cells start from where the oesophagus meets the stomach and spread upwards. The main concern with this condition is that it can increase the risk of developing oesophageal cancer. Barrett's Oesophagus Information Article

Coeliac Disease:

Coeliac disease is an allergy to gluten, which is found in many wheat based products. It is the most common inherited (genetic) disorder in European people, but can affect all races. Coeliac Disease Information Article

Colon cancer / Bowel cancer:

Colon cancer or cancer of the large bowel develops when cells lining the colon acquire the ability to grow in an uncontrolled manner and to invade local structures. They also acquire the ability to spread around the body and grow in other sites such as the liver and lungs. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in New Zealand for both men and women. The chances of growing colon cancer increase with age and it is uncommon in people under 50. Bowel cancer information article.

Diverticular Disease:

Diverticular disease is the name given to a long-term condition which causes small pockets or out-pouchings to occur in the bowel wall (Diverticulosis). These pockets (diverticulae) can remain trouble-free or they can become inflamed, causing pain and changes in bowel habit, this is called diverticulitis. Diverticular disease information article

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD):

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is the medical term for the common symptoms of heartburn, reflux or indigestion. Up to 20% of the NZ population suffers from this problem either intermittently or continually. GORD is usually worse in smokers, the overweight and those with a hiatus hernia. It can even mimic angina or heart pain. Gastro-oesophageal Reflux information article

Haemorrhoids:

Haemorrhoids are a condition where the veins under the lining of the anus are congested and enlarged. Less severe haemorrhoids can be managed with simple treatments such as injection or banding which can be performed in the endoscopy suite during colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy, while larger ones may require surgery. Haemorrhoids information Article

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):

There are two main types of IBD; Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease. In these conditions, the immune system attacks the lining of the colon causing inflammation, ulceration, bleeding and diarrhoea. Ulcerative colitis only affects the large intestine, whereas Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastro-intestinal tract (anywhere from the mouth through to the anus). Both diseases are chronic (long term) with symptoms coming (relapse) and going (remission) over a number of years. Inflammatory Bowel disease information article

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very common disorder of the stomach and bowel due to disordered movement or motility. Up to one in five people can be affected. It may be triggered by infections or arise without obvious cause. Irritable bowel syndrome information article

Peptic Ulcers:

Peptic ulcers are sores or eroded areas that form in the lining of the digestive tract. They usually occur in the stomach (gastric ulcer) or in the duodenum (duodenal ulcer), which is the first part of the small intestine. Peptic ulcer information article

Polyps / Colon Polyps:

A colon polyp is a growth from the internal lining of the bowel. Polyps may be just a few millimetres in size to several centimetres across when they are detected at colonoscopy. Most polyps appear as small raised areas but larger polyps can look like grapes on narrow stalks or patches of shag pile carpet. Bowel polyps information article

Rectal Bleeding:

Rectal bleeding is a very common symptom. It can be divided into overt (visible) bleeding and occult (invisible) bleeding. Mostly overt rectal bleeding is due to benign causes (non-cancerous), but it should always be discussed with your doctor and in most cases it should be investigated. The minimum examination would include a rectal exam (finger in the bottom) and a sigmoidoscopy, both of which can be done in a clinic setting. Painless bright red bleeding on the toilet paper or dripping into the pan is usually due to haemorrhoidal bleeding. If the bleeding is associated with painful passage of stools, then it is possibly due to a fissure (crack) in the anal canal. Both conditions are easy to treat and mostly don’t require surgery. Rectal bleeding information article