What Conditions do Gastroenterologists Treat?

There are certain issues we might face after eating food. You may have trouble swallowing, heartburn, or severe diarrhea. If you keep experiencing these symptoms, it makes sense to consult the best Cypress gastroenterologist near you. That means you could have serious issues affecting your digestive tract.

Your digestive disease may be mild or severe; either way, your gastroenterologist can treat you. What conditions do gastroenterologists treat, you may ask? Without further ado, here are five conditions that they treat below.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

This condition causes irritation of the lining of your esophagus due to leakage of stomach acids. As a result, you will experience heartburn, dysphagia, chest pain, and coughs. If you do not seek treatment immediately, you could get asthma, increasing your odds of dying.

First, your doctor will administer prescription-strength H-2 blockers such as nizatidine and famotidine. Fortunately, these drugs do not cause side effects. If the disease persists, they will recommend surgical procedures such as fundoplication or transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF).

Celiac Disease

People with this condition cannot consume gluten since it triggers their immune system to attack their tissues. They will experience symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, and weight loss. Children born with celiac disease will experience delayed puberty and slow growth rates in addition to these symptoms.

Since the condition has no cure, your only choice is to exclude gluten from your diet. That means you cannot eat cakes, pasta, most breads or some sauces. When you shop for foodstuffs, carefully read the ingredients and ensure gluten is absent. If you mistakenly eat gluten, your doctor will administer dietary supplements and vitamins.

Crohn’s Disease

This disease causes inflammation of various gut tissues, leading to abdominal pain and diarrhea. In some cases, you may experience symptoms outside of the intestinal tract, such as anemia, kidney stones, and inflammation of the liver or bile ducts. Those who smoke or are under Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are at risk of getting the condition.

To reduce inflammation, your gastroenterologist will administer corticosteroids or oral 5-aminosalicylates. Another way they can manage the symptoms is through nutrition therapy. This condition is likely to lead to intestinal blockage, so your doctor will recommend low-fiber diets.

Ulcerative Colitis

This condition puts you at risk of getting colon cancer due to inflammation occurring within the colon and rectum. Its symptoms include stomach pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue. The symptoms may be mild or severe, depending on the inflammation’s intensity.

Since this disease makes you pass stool frequently, your gastroenterologist will provide anti-diarrheal medications such as loperamide. As for your pain, they will administer Tylenol or Aleve. If your condition persists, your doctor may suggest a proctocolectomy (colon and rectum removal).

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

People with IBS experience symptoms which come and go. When they experience them, they can last for days, weeks, or months. Its symptoms include bloating, constipation, stomach pain, nausea, and fatigue.

The only form of treatment is relieving its symptoms. If you constantly get bloated, your gastroenterologist may suggest avoiding carbonated and alcoholic beverages. As for medications, they may prescribe colestipol, loperamide, or cholestyramine.

If you experience bloating or constipation, you can readily find over-the-counter medications for each. Sometimes, they may work very well. However, you should go to the hospital if you do not notice any change after a few days. Do not be tempted to overdose on them because you will make your condition even worse.

More importantly, you need to make dietary changes if you keep getting gastrointestinal issues. That means you can eat plenty of fiber and limit your alcohol intake. Remember, how you eat affects your gut. If you eat quickly without chewing properly, you will experience bloating.

Ivan Brandt