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Hirschsprung Disease (HD)

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Symptoms of Hirschsprung Disease

Hirschsprung (pronounced HURSH-sprung) Disease (HD), is a disease of the * large intestine, which usually occurs in children.

Symptoms of Hirschsprung Disease usually show up in very young children. But sometimes they don't appear until the person is a teenager or an adult. The symptoms are a little different for different ages.

Symptoms in Newborns

Newborns with Hirschsprung Disease don't have their first bowel movement when they should. These babies may also throw up a green liquid called bile after eating and their * abdomens may swell. Discomfort from gas or constipation might make them fussy. Sometimes, babies with Hirschsprung Disease develop infections in their intestines.

Symptoms in Young Children

Most children with Hirschsprung Disease have always had severe problems with constipation. Some also have more * diarrhea than usual. Children with Hirschsprung Disease might also have * anemia, a shortage of red blood cells, because blood is lost in the * stool. Also, many babies with Hirschsprung Disease grow and develop more slowly than they should.

Symptoms in Teenagers and Adults

Like younger children, teenagers and adults with Hirschsprung Disease usually have had severe constipation all their lives. They might also have anemia. Those with anemia look pale and tire easily.

Nerve Cells

Nerves are long fibers that carry messages from the body to the brain, and back again, like telephone lines. The messages often tell a body part what to do. Nerve cells are part of nerves. In the intestine, the nerve cells tell muscles how to push the stool along.

Definitions For This Page - In Alphabetical Order

* Abdomen
Pronounced - AB-duh-men
The abdomen is the area between the chest and the hips in the front of the body.

* Anemia
Pronounced - ah-NEE-mee-ah
Anemia is not enough red blood cells in the blood.

* Diarrhea
Pronounced - DY-uh-REE-ah
Diarrhea is loose, watery stool.

* Large Intestine
Pronounced - in-TESS-tin
The large intestine is a long tube that makes stool and carries it out of the body.

* Stool
Stool is solid waste from the body, the material that gets passed in a bowel movement.

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References:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
October 2004
digestive.niddk.nih.gov

The information discussed above is a general overview and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Other brand names or generic forms of this medicine may also be available. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information, your doctor or pharmacist has the complete prescribing information about this medicine and possible drug interactions.