Sometimes, people experience unusual digestive problems or new pain and discomfort in their digestive tract. They need to consult a doctor as early as possible without ignoring it. While it may be tempting to wait and see if they go away or diminish, this might be risky, and people shouldn’t take this step. The condition may become worse or even life-threatening.

Who is a gastroenterologist?

A gastroenterologist is an expert in gastrointestinal ailments and is trained to diagnose and treat them. The major role and responsibilities performed by a gastroenterologist are to diagnose and treat the conditions related to GI. People having digestive system problems must visit a gastroenterologist. They usually utilise an endoscope for performing the examination procedures. 

The gastroenterologist uses particular devices and instruments through which they can make a diagnosis and see the problems properly present in the GI tract. They are not responsible for performing a surgical procedure. However, in some cases, the gastroenterologist works closely with the GI surgeon while surgery is held.

Some of the common regions in which gastroenterologists work are as follows:

• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Pancreatic disease
• Reflux esophagitis (which is basically due to GERD)
• Inflammatory bowel disease 
• Endoscopic surveillance
• Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract

When do people need to visit a gastroenterologist?

People must visit a gastroenterologist if they feel the following signs and symptoms.

Heartburn

Sometimes people can feel heartburn which might not be an issue, and there might be nothing to be worried about. However, frequent heartburn may indicate Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Barrett’s oesophagus, and even oesophagal cancer. If acid reflux occurs often, people may be diagnosed with GERD and begin receiving medication to alleviate their discomfort. 

Abdominal pain and frequent bloating

People might experience mild abdominal pain and bloating sometimes and do not need to take extra care. However, suppose this persists following nearly every meal or is accompanied by nausea or painful bowel movements. In that case, it is essential to inform the physician, as they may refer people to a gastroenterologist for further tests.

Rectal bleeding

The blood in the stool might come due to various reasons but generally means there is bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract. For example, it might be caused by an anal fissure (a small cut or tear in the tissue lining the anus) or haemorrhoids, or it could be something requiring medical attention, such as cancer.

Difficulty in swallowing or oesophagal pain

Certain ailments might be the reason behind the experiences of difficulty swallowing or render people unable to swallow. For example, frequent or intensifying oesophagal pain or difficulty swallowing may require a gastroenterologist to conduct an upper endoscopy to determine the cause and begin treatment.

Sudden or unexpected weight loss

Dieting and exercise typically lead to gradual weight loss. However, experiencing a sudden, rapid drop, such as 5 per cent within 6 to 12 months, might indicate an underlying condition such as chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or peptic ulcer. In such cases, people must search for a gastro hospital near me and consult the doctors.

Age (45+ Years) for Regular Colorectal Cancer Screenings

People aged above 45 years for regular colorectal cancer screening

A screening test is preventative and should be administered before symptoms present. For example, Colorectal cancer often begins as precancerous polyps detected and removed during a colonoscopy. The gastroenterologist suggests adults ages 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. However, some patients need screening colonoscopies earlier, especially if they have colorectal cancer in their family medical history.

The Bottom Line

Nowadays, many people there usually suffer from problems associated with the digestive system. They must visit the best gastroenterologist by searching the gastro hospital near me to get their treatment and issues resolved properly. These specialists help in performing the diagnosis and treatment of several GI conditions. If you have any problem related to the digestive system, consult the gastroenterologist at PSRI hospital or explore the website.