5 Signs It’s Time to See a Gastroenterologist

If you are someone who is experiencing unusual digestive problems or pain and discomfort in the digestive tract it’s best that you stop ignoring it and get to work. What I mean by this is that you need to give a visit to the best gastroenterologist in Lahore near you. 

The unexplained changes in the bowel movements, discomfort in the stomach, and frequent pain in the abdomen are the common symptoms that indicate that your condition demands your visit to the gastroenterologist.

Well before visiting a gastroenterologist, it is important to know who actually is a gastroenterologist.  

What does a Gastroenterologist do? 

A gastroenterologist is a professional doctor that specializes in disorders and diseases of the digestive system. This includes the diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and even anus. The diseases of the liver, pancreas, gall bladder, and bile duct also are diagnosed and treated by a gastroenterologist. 

Major Signs to Give a Visit 

Here are some of the major signs and symptoms that if one suffers from should visit a gastroenterologist. Let’s have a closer look. 

  • Constipation

Bowel movements vary from person to person and if they get lesser than 3 times a week then this indicates that you are suffering from constipation. Another sign that you might be suffering from constipation is when your bowel movements are hard, small, and difficult to pass out. 

If you are suffering from these symptoms then it is a clear indication that you must visit a gastroenterologist. Constipation has a lot of reasons and causes that can never be treated at home and must be treated well by visiting a gastroenterologist. Although regular medication can help manage the mild symptoms at home the best and the most preferred method to treat your constipation is by visiting the relevant doctor.  

  • Trouble in Swallowing

Have you ever felt like the food that you are having is not getting down the throat and you feel like having a lump in your esophagus? Well, this is a serious indication that you might be suffering from dysphagia which is also known as difficulty in swallowing. 

Other indications that point towards issues with swallowing include pain while swallowing or constant throat pain. If all of this is affecting your digestive health then make sure that you visit a gastroenterologist. 

  • Frequent Heartburn

As the name tells us, heartburn is the feeling of burning in the center part of the chest. This usually happens when the acid in the stomach comes back up in the esophagus. The major causes of heartburn include the use of spices, carbonated drinks, consumption of fried food, and cigarettes. 

It is a smart move to contact your gastroenterologist as soon as you feel these symptoms. If you don’t opt for this choice of visiting the doctor then remember that heartburn if worsens can cause you to feel symptoms of serious issues like,

  • Dizziness
  • Bloody bowel movements
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain felt while swallowing

It is essential to take the wise step of visiting a doctor before your condition turns into something serious called GERD which is the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

  • Diarrhea

Watery or loose bowel movements cause severe diaherrea. It is a very common issue that often affects digestive health. The main reason behind bad diarrhea can be the consumption of contaminated water, too much caffeine or just eating unhygienic food. 

Diarrhea if bad can last for more than four weeks and can be life-threatening if not treated well in time. So it is very important to visit a gastroenterologist as soon as you experience the symptoms of diarrhea. 

It is very important to visit the doctor in time as if left untreated diarrhea can make you extremely dehydrated, can make the stool look darker, cause fever that can rise up to 102, and stools containing blood. 

Diarrhea can also be a sign of some of the major diseases like celiac disease, IBS, parasitic infections, and ulcerative colitis. 

  • Rectal Bleeding

A stool containing blood or darker in size can indicate that any part of the digestive tract might be bleeding. Bleeding now can be due to the presence of haemorrhoids which can be treated easily. But in some cases, the bleeding occurs due to some serious issues i.e, cancer. 

Rectal bleeding can also occur due to some the serious issues in the digestive tracts such as, 

  • Polyps
  • Lesions
  • Inflammatory bowel issues
  • Ulcers

Make sure to visit your gastroenterologist before it is too late and your condition worsens. 

Conclusion

Digestive issues can be very difficult to manage on their own. These can damage your digestive health pretty badly and can impact the overall health of the body. But there is no need to worry when you have a gastroenterologist to help you deal with the diseases and disorders of the stomach. Make sure to keep visiting the nearest doctor near you to get your digestive issues resolved as soon as possible.

Leave a Comment