7 Signs You Should See A Gastroenterologist

If you are having odd digestive problems or new pain and discomfort in your digestive tract, do not ignore them. While it may be tempting to wait and see if they go away or reduce, this is a risk you should avoid. The condition could deteriorate to the point of death.

A gastroenterologist is a specialist in gastrointestinal disorders who is trained to diagnose and treat them. Here are seven signs to see a gastroenterologist.

1. Trouble Swallowing

Consult your gastroenterologist if you have chronic trouble swallowing (dysphagia) or a growing lump in your throat. Frequent throat pain or swelling are additional signs that you should consult a gastroenterologist.

If you have difficulties swallowing water, this could indicate a dangerous condition.

Difficulty swallowing could be due to acid reflux, esophageal muscle weakness, a lesion, or anything else that causes the esophagus to constrict. These block the esophagus's capacity to transfer food or liquids to the stomach.

A gastroenterologist may conduct an upper endoscopy to diagnose the problem.

2. Frequent Heartburn

As the name implies, heartburn is a burning sensation in the center of your chest. It typically occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. Irritants like alcohol, spicy foods, carbonated drinks, fried foods, and cigarettes typically induce heartburn.

If you have heartburn and have these symptoms indicating a more serious disease, you should consult a gastroenterologist:

- Dizziness.

- Shortness of breath.

- Tarry or bloody bowel movements.

- Pain when swallowing.

3. Abdominal Bloating

If you can't button clothes that fit great a few days ago, bloating could be the cause. A quick increase in waist circumference indicates that your stomach is swelling due to gas retention. Painful bloating that occurs suddenly and without reason, followed by bloody stools, nausea, or painful bowel motions, is abnormal. It may indicate IBS, celiac disease, gallstones, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease).

It is best to consult a gastroenterologist so that your condition can be thoroughly analyzed.

4. Constipation

Constipation may occur if you do not drink enough water, do not exercise properly, misuse laxatives, take antidepressants, eat a lot of dairy products, or eat junk food. Constipation occurs when bowel movements are difficult or absent.

Chronic constipation indicates that something is wrong. If you go more than three days without pooping, the feces will become firmer and drier, making it increasingly difficult to clear your bowels.

Constipation is persistent if you've had two or three of these symptoms in the last three months:

- Hard stools.

- You’re unable to pass the stool completely.

- You strain to have a bowel movement.

5. Diarrhea

Diarrhea refers to watery bowel motions. It is a typical problem that usually resolves within a day or two. It can be caused by anything from excessive caffeine consumption to drinking tap water in a foreign country to indulging in those habanero peppers your pals challenged you to eat.

Diarrhea that lasts longer than four weeks may indicate a potentially life-threatening condition. Consult a gastroenterologist if you experience any of the following symptoms:

- dehydration.

- black or tarry stools.

- severe rectal or abdominal pain.

- fever over 102 degrees.

- stools with pus or blood.

6. Rectal Bleeding

A dark or bloody feces may indicate that part of your digestive tract is bleeding. It might be something as simple as hemorrhoids or something more serious, like cancer.

Rectal bleeding can also be a sign of:

- Ulcers.

- Inflammatory bowel disease.

- Polyps.

- Lesions.

Any form of rectal bleeding is abnormal, so you should consult a gastroenterologist to diagnose and treat the problem. This is especially true if the bleeding occurs frequently or if you are over 40 years old.

7. Yellowing Skin and Eyes

Jaundice is a condition in which your skin and the whites of your eyes become yellow. Dark urine or light-colored feces may also indicate jaundice. Jaundice is frequently a sign of an underlying ailment. Conditions may include:

- Gallstones.

- Alcohol-induced liver damage.

- Blocked or inflamed bile ducts.

- Hemolytic anemia.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. You may try to find a specialist by googling “gastroenterologist near me”. Be sure to check their qualifications before scheduling an appointment.