Connect With A Gastroenterologist Near You
We all experience some rumbling sound in our stomachs due to poor diet, diseases, or trying a new dish for the first time. The best doctor that helps these problems go away is a gastroenterologist.A gastroenterologist is specific doctors that treat diseases involving the digestive tract. The digestive tract consists mainly of the mouth, esophagus, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. There are numerous diseases that affect the digestive system. Basically, anything that affects your feeding or makes you feel bad before or after eating is a gastroenterological problem
Digestion basically starts from your first bite of that favorite snack or meal, it begins with the help of the masticatory muscles, and digestive enzymes present in the mouth, the partially broken down food contents are passed to the stomach through the esophagus by a process called peristalsis. Presence of gastric acid and digestive enzymes helps in breaking down the food components into smaller molecules for easy absorption by the same and large intestine. Although, the final destination of the nutrients and food substance depends on the classes of food present. Any medical conditions that affect any phase or stage of this deglutition process is a gastroenterological problem and treated by gastroenterologists.
What Conditions Do Gastroenterologists Treat?
A gastroenterologist is an extraordinary doctor that treats disease involving the digestive tracts. There are numerous conditions treated by gastroenterologist .the most common ones include:
Cancer
The body consists of cells, tissues, organs, and system. The cells are the basic functioning unit of the body. However, there are some pathological conditions in which there are abnormal cancerous cells in the body. Cancer can be classified as benign or malignant depending on it is a degree of metastasis. They are often named after the part of the body affected such as hepatic cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, and bone cancer. The abnormal cells replace the healthy cells in the body and alter the physiological processes of the body. There are numerous signs and symptoms depending on the type of cancer. The typical signs and symptoms of cancer include:
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- A headache
- Muscle wasting
- Hemoptysis
- Rectal bleeding
The prognosis of cancer depends on how early it is detected.
Ulcers
Ulcers are medically defined as a break in the endothelial lining of the body. There are numerous types of ulcers treated by a gastroenterologist. The ulcer is named after the part of the body affected. The types of ulcers include:
- Mouth ulcer
- Corneal ulcer
- Aphthous ulcer
- Pressure ulcer
- Gastric ulcer
- Duodenal ulcer
- Diabetic foot ulcer
- Venous ulcer
- Ulcerative dermatitis
- Ulcerative colitis
The treatment of the ulcer depends on the type and etiology of the ulcer.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease like Cohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel diseases are often used to describe conditions affecting the small and large intestine. Most people, especially outside the medical field, usually have a problem differentiating Crohn’s diseases and ulcerative colitis. Prolonged abdominal cramps, fatigue, and weight loss are the primary complaint of people suffering from inflammatory bowel disease. The bigger question is which one? They share a lot of commons and have some differences.The signs and symptoms they shared in common includes:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Night sweat
- Abdominal Cramp
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- The urgency of bowel movement
- Rectal Bleeding
- Limited Appetite
The difference in these 2 diseases is based on location, inflammation site, and specific symptoms.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas; it can either be acute or chronic depending on the duration of the disease. It is often characterized by belt-like abdominal pain that radiates to the back and worsens after eating. The common signs and symptoms of pancreatitis include:
- Fever
- Change in stool color
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Increased stomach tenderness
- Belt-like abdominal pain that worsens after eating
- Lethargy
- Weakness
Polyps
Polyps are abnormal growth in the mucous membrane of the body, The polyps are named after the part of the body affected such as colon polyps. Colon polyps could be flat, sessile, or poly points. The most common signs and systems of colon polyps include:
- Hematochezia
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Lethargy and weakness
- Lightheadedness
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Gallbladder Disease
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located inferior-posterior in the liver. It helps in the storage of bile and emulsification of fat. Gallbladder diseases are medical terminology for any condition affecting the structure or function of the gallbladder. The gallbladder could become inflamed or blocked by stones or foreign particles. The most common gastroenterologist includes:
- Cholecystitis: This is an inflammation of the gallbladder.
- Gallstones
- Choledocholithiasis
- Acalculous Gallbladder Disease: this a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the gallbladder with the absence of gallstones.
- Biliary Dyskinesia: This type of gallbladder disease leads to hypo-function of the gallbladder.
- Sclerosing Cholangitis: It is often characterized by scarring of the gallbladder tissue.
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Gallbladder Polyps
- Gallbladder Abscess
- Gangrene of the Gallbladder
Irritable Bowel Disease
An irritable bowel disease is a medical condition that affects the large intestine. It can be classified into 3 types: Constipation dominant irritable bowel disease, diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel disease, or mixed. The typical sign and symptoms of irritable e bowel disease include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
- Mucus in the stool
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen rectal or anal veins that lead to different complications or symptoms. It is also called pile, and it can be classified as internal or external hemorrhoids depending on its location. The internal hemorrhoid is not usually visible because it is located deep in the rectum. Moreover, external hemorrhoids are more outward and visible to the human eye. The typical symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
- Discomfort and itching around the anus
- Bloody stool
- Bloodstain on toilet paper or toilet bowl
- Pink bumps around the anus
Celiac
Celiac disease is a genetically predisposed auto-immune disease characterized by increased sensitivity to gluten. It is a very prevalent disease and often left undiagnosed. More than 2 million Americans are having these diseases but undiagnosed. Most celiac patients especially children present with the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Weight loss
- Stunted growth
- Failure to thrive
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Fatty and fouls smelling stool
Gastroenterologist Near Me
There is nothing more annoying that abdominal cramps that won’t go away with simple medications. The best option when you experience any digestive tracts problem is to see the closest gastroenterologist near you.
Connect With A Gastroenterologist Near You
References
Benjamin Wedro, F. (2018). Celiac Disease Symptoms, Signs, Treatment & Gluten-Free Diet. MedicineNet. Retrieved 1 May 2018, from https://www.medicinenet.com/celiac_disease_gluten_enteropathy/article.htm
Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free Diet Support – Celiac.com. (2018). Celiac.com Celiac Disease & Gluten-Free Diet Forum. Retrieved 1 May 2018, from https://www.celiac.com/
Celiac Disease Symptoms – Celiac Disease Foundation. (2018). Celiac Disease Foundation. Retrieved 1 May 2018, from https://celiac.org/celiac-disease/understanding-celiac-disease-2/celiacdiseasesymptoms/
