7 Warning Signs You Need To See A Gastroenterologist

Our digestive system, stretching all the way from the mouth to the anus, is one of the most complex parts in the body. The gastrointestinal tract plays an important role in our health, as it is responsible for absorption of all types of nutrients that our body needs. If your digestive system is not working properly, your body may become deficient in important vitamins, minerals, proteins and other nutrients. This can ultimately lead to a range of health problems. If you are facing recurring issues related to your digestive system, it is advisable that you consult gastroenterologist online.

While some gastrointestinal problems may be temporary and go away on their own, there may be cases where you might need long-term medication or even surgery. To simplify your decision making process, here are 7 warning signs that you need to see a gastroenterologist.

Difficulty swallowing food – There can be various factors such as dry mouth, inadequate chewing, eating too fast, etc. that can create difficulty in swallowing food. However, if you are regularly facing such issues, it could indicate towards a throat infection or problems with the esophagus. In such cases, it is better to consult gastroenterologist online.

Heartburn – This can be caused due to various reasons such as eating spicy or oily food, overeating, consuming alcohol, etc. However, if the condition persists, it could indicate towards gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, esophagitis, or hiatus hernia. Heartburn may also be linked to an underlying heart problem, so it’s better to consult a doctor.

Abdominal pain – Often, factors like indigestion or gas can lead to abdominal pain and bloating. However, if you are experiencing the pain regularly or if the pain is unbearable, it could indicate towards intestinal infection, appendicitis, gastritis, diverticulitis, etc. In such cases, it’s better to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Blood in vomit – If you experience nausea, stomach pain and your vomit has red or dark colored blood, it could indicate towards gastro problems such as stomach ulcer, gastritis, or esophageal varices. In such cases, you should immediately consult a gastroenterologist.

Diarrhea – A number of reasons can cause diarrhea such as viral or bacterial infection, certain medications, eating stale food, lactose intolerance, artificial sweeteners, etc. However, if your diarrhea persists for several days, it could indicate towards gastro problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), gastrointestinal disease, stomach flu, and inflammatory bowel disease. You can consult gastroenterologist online to better understand your specific health condition and treatment options.

Constipation – This can be caused due to various reasons such as sedentary lifestyle, not consuming adequate water, eating junk food, not exercising regularly, stress, etc. Constipation can also be due to gastro problems such as IBS, bowel obstruction, fecal impaction, anal fissure, etc. If your constipation is persistent, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Blood in stool or black stool – This can be caused due to health conditions such as piles (hemorrhoids), anal fissure, stomach ulcer, diverticulitis, esophageal varices, etc. Please consult gastroenterologist online, so that relevant medical tests can be prescribed for diagnosis and treatment.

If you experience something unusual or if there are persistent health issues related to your digestive system, it’s always better to consult gastroenterologist online. The doctor will be able to tell you if your problem is benign or if you need to undergo extensive health checkups.

Always remember that early detection of health issues is an important factor in successful treatment and making a full recovery. Also make sure that you eat healthy, home-cooked food, drink adequate water, get proper sleep, and exercise regularly to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal diseases.