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| 8 Telltale Signs That It’s Time To See A Gastroenterologist |
There is a common misconception
that the human gastrointestinal system is restricted to the intestines and the
stomach. However, the field of gastroenterology covers the functioning of and
diseases related to the esophagus, small intestine, stomach, pancreas, colon &
rectum, gallbladder, liver, and bile ducts. Healthcare facilities like the Asian
Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, is specialized in the field,
making it possible for patients to receive a focused treatment approach for
their gastrointestinal concerns.
Some of the most common medical
conditions that come under the purview of a gastroenterologist include:
conditions that come under the purview of a gastroenterologist include:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- GERD (Acid Reflux &
Heartburn) - Celiac Disease
- Polyps
- Pancreatitis
- Ulcers
- Hemorrhoids
- Gastrointestinal Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
Basic nagging symptoms like
bloating, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, etc could be the little signs that
need to be kept track of. A problem that persists is a possible sign that it’s
time to see a gastroenterologist.
bloating, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, etc could be the little signs that
need to be kept track of. A problem that persists is a possible sign that it’s
time to see a gastroenterologist.
Table of Contents
When The Symptoms Are New
If a person begins to experience
digestive symptoms for the first time, the initial approach can be to get a
consultation with a family physician or an internal medicine specialist. The
best case scenario in such a case would be to see a physician who has a working
knowledge of that individual’s medical history.
digestive symptoms for the first time, the initial approach can be to get a
consultation with a family physician or an internal medicine specialist. The
best case scenario in such a case would be to see a physician who has a working
knowledge of that individual’s medical history.
Post this consultation, the
doctor will be able to determine if and what tests need to be conducted to
establish the cause of the persisting symptoms. The test could be a physical
exam, imaging studies, or lab tests.
doctor will be able to determine if and what tests need to be conducted to
establish the cause of the persisting symptoms. The test could be a physical
exam, imaging studies, or lab tests.
Based on the results of these
tests, the physician may then go ahead and refer the patient to a
gastroenterologist.
tests, the physician may then go ahead and refer the patient to a
gastroenterologist.
When A Condition Is Diagnosed
Individuals with a
chronic/ongoing digestive related condition need long-term treatment &
care plan with a gastroenterologist. Moreover, if symptoms related to an
existing digestive or intestinal condition elevate, the best approach is to
consult a gastroenterologist.
chronic/ongoing digestive related condition need long-term treatment &
care plan with a gastroenterologist. Moreover, if symptoms related to an
existing digestive or intestinal condition elevate, the best approach is to
consult a gastroenterologist.
Medical experts and facilities
that is specialized in the field of gastroenterology, like the Asian Institute
of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad can assess the change in symptoms and how they
relate to the existing condition, and device a suitable treatment & care
plan.
that is specialized in the field of gastroenterology, like the Asian Institute
of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad can assess the change in symptoms and how they
relate to the existing condition, and device a suitable treatment & care
plan.
To be able to make a decision in
the right time, it is important to know and understand these 8 signs that tell
it’s time to consider visiting a Gastroenterologist.
the right time, it is important to know and understand these 8 signs that tell
it’s time to consider visiting a Gastroenterologist.
•Abnormal Bowel Movement
If you have been suffering from a
constant case of constipation, with fewer than three stools per week, it could
be due to a blockage, hormonal issues, your diet, neurological issues, muscular
malfunction, among other factors.
constant case of constipation, with fewer than three stools per week, it could
be due to a blockage, hormonal issues, your diet, neurological issues, muscular
malfunction, among other factors.
On the other hand, if you have
been experiencing a severe case of diarrhea that has been going on for more
then a few days, it could be an indicator of a digestive disorder that needs to
be handled by an expert.
been experiencing a severe case of diarrhea that has been going on for more
then a few days, it could be an indicator of a digestive disorder that needs to
be handled by an expert.
•Rectal Bleeding
Blood passing with your stools
could be indicative of the fact that there is bleeding somewhere in the
digestive tract. The severity of the cause for this could vary, which will have
to be determined by a medical expert in the field.
could be indicative of the fact that there is bleeding somewhere in the
digestive tract. The severity of the cause for this could vary, which will have
to be determined by a medical expert in the field.
•Abdominal Pain & Bloating
Bloating or abdominal pain that
occurs after almost every meal, sometimes accompanied by uncomfortable bowel
movement or nausea is a condition that needs to be communicated to a
physician. The physician who could then refer the patient to a gastroenterologist
for further examination and tests.
occurs after almost every meal, sometimes accompanied by uncomfortable bowel
movement or nausea is a condition that needs to be communicated to a
physician. The physician who could then refer the patient to a gastroenterologist
for further examination and tests.
•Frequent Heartburn
Frequent heartburns could be on an account of multiple medical conditions, that would need to be looked into by a
Gastroenterologist. This symptom could be on account of GERD, Barrett’s Esophagus
or something worse.
Gastroenterologist. This symptom could be on account of GERD, Barrett’s Esophagus
or something worse.
•Esophageal Pain/Difficult In Swallowing
An individual experiences
difficulty in swallowing or is finding it absolutely impossible to swallow.
This difficulty in swallowing could build up over time.
difficulty in swallowing or is finding it absolutely impossible to swallow.
This difficulty in swallowing could build up over time.
•Cancer Screening
After a certain age, it is
recommended to schedule regular screening for cancer with a gastroenterologist,
to stay on the lookout for any cancer affecting your digestive tract.
recommended to schedule regular screening for cancer with a gastroenterologist,
to stay on the lookout for any cancer affecting your digestive tract.
•Ulcer
An ulcer in the stomach or the intestine can manifest with burning stomach pain. This means that every time
the patient eats something, the acids that break down the food end up causing
the pain.
the patient eats something, the acids that break down the food end up causing
the pain.
•Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids is a condition where
the veins in your rectum get irritated, resulting in swelling.
the veins in your rectum get irritated, resulting in swelling.
Benefit From A Timely Diagnosis
A timely diagnosis with a
gastroenterologist can surely take the treatment process in a positive
direction. This is especially critical and stands true in case of Cancers
related to the digestive system.
gastroenterologist can surely take the treatment process in a positive
direction. This is especially critical and stands true in case of Cancers
related to the digestive system.
