Department Of
Medical Gastroenterology
Have you ever come across the term gastroenterology? Now, let's not confuse it with gastrology, because both the terms are different. Gastrology deals with the diseases that are associated with the stomach, whereas gastroenterology is a bigger picture altogether. In this article, we are going to learn more about gastroenterology, its symptoms, treatments, and procedures.
What is Medical Gastroenterology?
Medical gastroenterology refers to the area of medicine that comprehensively deals with the ailments and diseases which are associated with the entire digestive system of the body. The focus here is on the health of the digestive system or the gastrointestinal tract.
What are the Organs Involved in Gastroenterology?
As mentioned earlier, gastroenterology specializes in ailments that affect the organs of the gastrointestinal tract or the digestive system. So, gastroenterology specializes in the following organs,
- Pancreas
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Small Intestine
- Colon
When to meet a Gastroenterologist?
Gastrointestinal diseases are not trivial issues. Such diseases shouldn't be ignored and timely treatment should be provided for the same. Also, most of the time your family doctor or any other general physician can't provide the typical treatment for GI diseases. In such cases, you need to seek the help of gastroenterologists.
You guessed it right. Gastroenterologists are specialists that diagnose and treat gastrointestinal diseases in both women and men.
You must visit a gastroenterologist if you have any symptoms associated with ailments concerning the digestive system or even when you need a colon cancer screening. Gastroenterologists will diagnose your condition more efficiently with the least complications because of which you will not have to spend much time in the hospital.
If you are looking for trustworthy gastroenterologists, you can book an appointment with Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Center. It is one of the most trusted medical centers in Chennai that provides world-class treatment for patients. The institute has a renowned team of highly skilled medical professionals with years of experience in the field of gastroenterology. The state-of-the-art medical facilities help further with the treatment procedures. With a team of Proficient medical professionals, ultra-modern infrastructure, and advanced treatment equipment, Dr.Rena Institute ensures that their patient gets nothing short of the best treatment.
What are the Common Symptoms?
Here are the common symptoms of digestive health disorders and upon observing them you should approach a gastroenterologist.
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of weight
- Rectal Bleeding
- Excessive belching
- Abdominal pain
- Underwear stains
- Disorder in Bowel movement urges
- bloating
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- discoloration in stool and urine
- vomiting
- esophageal pain
These were the common symptoms, but some of the symptoms could mean serious issues in your digestive health conditions. Get an appointment with a gastroenterologist as soon as you observe the following symptoms.
Heartburn
If you have been experiencing heart burns frequently for the last six months or longer, you will have to get immediate treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). First, you can approach your doctor and enquire if it is the right time to see a gastroenterologist.
Inflammatory bowel disease
If you experience intestine inflammation, then your body may have succumbed to an inflammatory bowel disease, which is a collection of disorders (including Crohn's disease as well). These are the symptoms to watch out for:
- Diarrhea
- Severe abdominal pain
- Sudden weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- joint pain
- fever
- Rectal bleeding
Irritable bowel syndrome
Though irritable bowel syndrome can be controlled through lifestyle changes, the persistent appearance of some symptoms can make it a serious issue. You will have to get immediate help from a doctor.
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Cramps
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is essentially an autoimmune disease that hinders the body's ability to process gluten. If such a situation arises, you ought to consult a doctor. Usually, a blood test can aid in diagnosing the disease. The symptoms are:
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Pain in the stomach
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Rashes and blisters