Dr. Johan Nordenstam, MD, PhD

Media Releases

Get to know Proctologist Dr. Johan Nordenstam, who serves patients in Chicago, Illinois.

Recognized as a highly trained proctologist, Dr. Nordenstam practices in the Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery at UI Health. He provides state-of-the-art care for patients with conditions of the colon, rectum, and anal canal. His interests include complex surgery for colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease using minimally invasive methods — including trans-anal endoscopic microsurgery, robotic, and laparoscopic surgery — in addition to treatment options for hemorrhoids, fistula, and rectal prolapse.

The Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery at UI Health specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus. The team of surgeons work closely with other specialists to determine the best treatment plan for each individual patient, and they use the latest techniques in the evaluation and treatment of patients. At surgery, they focus on minimally invasive techniques for more successful procedures and faster recoveries.

Alongside his clinical role, Dr. Nordenstam serves as an Associate Professor of Surgery at University of Illinois at Chicago.

Educated in Sweden, he earned his medical degree from Karolinska Institute, after which he performed his residency at Danderyds Hospital. After moving to the United States, he completed fellowships in both colon & rectal surgery and minimally invasive colon & rectal surgery at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

As a testament to his success, he is board-certified in colon & rectal surgery by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. It is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties that issues certificates for practitioners of colorectal surgery.

Colorectal surgery is a field in medicine dealing with disorders of the rectum, anus, and colon. The field is also known as proctology, but this term is now used infrequently within medicine and is most often employed to identify practices relating to the anus and rectum in particular. A proctologist is a surgical specialist with a focus on diagnosing and treating disorders of the colon, rectum and anus. They often are seen for complex lower digestive tract issues or when surgery is needed to treat the patient.

Throughout his extensive career, Dr. Nordenstam has published his research in a number of scientific journals and has been a lecturer at national and international meetings.

On a more personal note, he speaks both English and Swedish.

Recommended Articles

• What is an External Hemorrhoid?

  Hemorrhoids affect a large portion of the population. Statistics indicate that about 90 percent of the population will have hemorrhoids at least once in their lifetime. Hemorrhoids can either be internal or external. This classification is based on the location of the hemorrhoids in the gut.External...

• Most Common Causes of Blood in the Stool

  Causes of Gastrointestinal Tract and Rectal BleedingHemorrhoids (Piles)Hemorrhoids are probably the most common cause of blood in the stool. These are swellings in the lower rectum (lower back passage) and anus. Inside the lining of the lower rectum and anus is a group of small blood vessels known...

• Are there Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids?

  Hemorrhoids are caused when the veins in the rectum just above the anus get blocked due to external pressure. This causes obstructions in the blood flow and also leads to swelling of the veins. Hemorrhoids are classified as internal hemorrhoids which are within the anal canal and external...

• What Is a Proctologist?

  Proctology, also known as colorectal surgery, is a field in medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus. The one who specializes in proctology is called a proctologist or a colorectal surgeon. What is a proctologist?A proctologist is...

• Blood in Your Stool: Where Does It Come From?

  Where does the bleeding come from?Bleeding that causes blood in the stool can develop in any part of the gastrointestinal tract....

• What Causes Hemorrhoids?

  Hemorrhoids are inflamed and swollen veins in the rectum, which is the last section of the digestive system. They can also occur at the opening of the anus. The veins in the lower rectum and anus tend to swell under pressure, which is basically what causes hemorrhoids. They cause severe pain in the...