In today’s fast-food world where burgers and soda take the centre stage it is very important, we consciously observe the way our digestive system behaves. It is unfortunate that most of us take digestive disorders lightly and neglect seeking any medical assistance. In some cases, such carelessness leads to devastating complications. Therefore, it is very important we observe unusual symptoms of an unhealthy digestive system. Like we all know, “our body is our first home” and our digestive system played a vital role in keeping our body healthy.

Whom do I visit when I have concerns with my digestive system? Visit a gastroenterologist, a specialist in diagnosing and treating diseases and conditions of the digestive system. The digestive system is not just your stomach and your intestines but it includes organs from the mouth to the anus, including the oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, large intestine, small intestine and rectum.

So now let us look at certain conditions that would require you to schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist:

Abnormal Bowel Movement:

Running stool or passing fewer bowel movements are signs that you need medical assistance. 

Constipation: Not having a regular bowel movement could be an area of concern for it could lead to many complications that are not visible during its early stages. Constipation may be due to diet, neurological issues, muscular or hormonal disfunction, blockage or any other factor. It is important that you get your body used to a routine of regular bowl movement and a gastroenterologist can assist you plan your habits for the same.

Diarrhea: If running stools persist for more than a couple of days its recommended to consult a gastroenterologist, for it could be signs of a viral or bacterial infection, lactose intolerance, indication to certain digestive conditions, reactions to certain medication etc., Since passing loose stools dehydrates the body quickly it is important one takes medical support and not consider self-medication.

Excessive Gas: Passing gas is a normal part of digestion, but if you have digestive conditions, it disrupts the normal digestive process which causes excessive gas. Visit a specialist if you experience excessive gas accompanied by severe abdominal pain, bloody stools, fever, muscle aches, weakness.

Rectal Bleeding:

Seeing blood during bowel movement can be highly alarming. Causes of blood in the stool can vary in severity, but it means that there is bleeding somewhere in the digestive track. If you experience such sighs, it is highly recommended you visit a gastroenterologist. Some causes for bleeding could be haemorrhoids, an anal fissure or even something that would require serious medical attention such as cancer.

Frequent Heartburn:

Heart burn refers to a burning sensation or mild pain in the chest area. It’s a condition found with quite a few people after consuming certain kinds of food or as a result of consuming certain medication. However, it raises an alarm when the heartburn condition prolongs. Heartburn could lead to ailments such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Diseases that develops when the stomach acid disturbs the oesophagus lining. Other people who might experience heart burn are pregnant women and smokers. GERD can be cured by medication however a gastroenterologist will be the right person to assist you with appropriate recommendation.

Abdominal Pain and Bloating:

Occasional bloating and pain in the abdomen can be something that can be treated with home remedies but a prolonged condition of the same is something that would require attention. Even more if the unbearable pain and bloating is accompanied by nauseous and you experience painful bowel movement then its time you fix an appointment with a gastroenterologist.

Esophageal Pain or difficulty in Swallowing:

Incase you find difficulty in swallowing food or water and if the condition worsened then it is recommended you consult a gastroenterologist to determine the cause and begin treatment.

Unexpected weight loss:

A healthy weight loose is very gradual and is planned with dieting and exercises. However, if you notice a rapid decrease in weight, it can indicate underlying conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or peptic ulcer.

Jaundice:

It this condition the patient’s skin and eyes turn yellow and they pass dark urine. The development of jaundice indicates that the liver is not working fine. This condition can include – blocked or inflamed bile duct, gallstones, Hemolytic Anemia, alcohol induced liver damages. 

Blood in Vomit: 

Presence of blood in vomit is a very serious condition. It could be due to ulcer or tear in the oesophagus. Consult a gastroenterologist to diagnose the cause and treat it.

Presence of gallstones:

If you experience pain on the right side of your stomach it could be a sigh of gallstones. Gallstones are small structures that are present in the gallbladder – they could vary from a size of sand particles to a size of a golf ball. These stones develop due to an imbalance in the substances that form bile juice. It’s very important that you do not ignore the signs of gallstones and consult a gastroenterologist to plan way forward.

Intolerance to lactose:

If consuming any diary product makes you feel uncomfortable then it is an indication that you are lactose intolerant. When our body fails to produce enough lactose that does not facilitate digestion of dairy products it might result in an upset stomach, stomach pain or bloating. If you are struggling to digest any diary product then it’s time for you to get an appointment with a gastroenterologist.

Ulcer: 

A burning sensation in the stomach accompanied with pain could be a way of identifying that you have ulcer. So, whenever you eat something, you feel discomfort because of the acid that breaks down the food that causes severe pain. An ulcer can trigger swelling, which obstructs the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine. Consult an expert gastroenterologist before ulcer could cause much serious conditions.

Consult our expert Gastroenterologist at Sahasra Hospital:

If you observe any of the above signs, it is critical that you consult our experienced gastroenterologist for the right consultation and treatment recommendation. Founded by a renowned surgical gastroenterologist Dr.Srikanth Gadiyaram, Sahara Hospital is fully equipped to treat all digestive related ailments. Are you noticing any digestion related concerns that you have been ignoring till now? It’s time you act on it now and we at Sahasra promise to help you with our expert consultations and treatments.