Who are gastroenterologists?
The specialty of medicine, which focuses on the normal functioning and diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is known as gastroenterology. The GI tract consists of the esophagus (food pipe), stomach (gut), small intestine, large intestine (colon), liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and rectum.
Gastroenterologists are doctors who train in internal medicine and later specialize in diagnosing and treating all disorders of the GI tract. They also train in performing all kinds of endoscopic procedures. Gastroenterologists are not surgeons and treat patients using medications.
Some conditions routinely treated by gastroenterologists include Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Hepatitis, cirrhosis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), colon polyps, colon cancer, liver cancer, peptic ulcers, pancreatitis, and gallbladder disease.
What is the difference between a gastroenterologist and a hepatologist?
Gastroenterology centers on the digestive system and its disorders, covering organs like the stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. Gastroenterologists treat a wide range of digestive issues and certain types of cancer.
You may want to consult a gastroenterologist near you if you experience symptoms such as:
- Unexplained changes in your bowel habits, like diarrhea, constipation, or blood in your stool
- Unusual bloating
- Frequent or severe heartburn
- Sudden, intense abdominal pain
- If you're due for a colonoscopy
On the other hand, hepatology, a subspecialty of gastroenterology, focuses more specifically on the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. You might be referred to a hepatologist for issues such as:
- Liver damage caused by medication
- Gastrointestinal bleeding due to portal hypertension
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
- Ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen)
- Enzyme deficiencies
- Blood tests suggesting liver disease
Hepatologists are trained to diagnose and treat conditions such as:
- Hepatitis infections
- Fatty liver disease (whether alcohol-related or not)
- Jaundice
- Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
- Metabolic liver diseases
- Liver cancer
While both specialties overlap in certain areas, gastroenterologists focus more broadly on the digestive system, whereas hepatologists concentrate specifically on liver-related issues.
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
IBS is a disease associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and, hence, can be a lifelong condition. It generally affects the functioning of the large intestine, causing changes in bowel movements.
Nervous stomach/nervous colon, irritable colon, spastic colon/spastic colitis, irritable bowel, and mucous colitis are all terms used for IBS.
IBS is a chronic condition that doesn't have any specific medicine or intervention to cure it. Medications in this condition are often prescribed only for better symptom control. However, most people with IBS don't have severe signs and symptoms. It can easily be controlled by changes in diet and lifestyle. Another important underlying factor affecting IBS is stress levels. Correct stress management can significantly improve symptoms of IBS.
Having IBS does not cause any changes to the internal lining or tissue of the large intestine. Therefore, there is no risk of developing colorectal cancer. However, other complications of IBS include hemorrhoids, social anxiety, and mood disorders.
When should I see a doctor?
IBS usually presents with symptoms such as intolerance to certain food groups, abdominal cramps, bloating, fatigue, and sometimes anxiety and depression. Variations in the frequency and appearance of bowel movements are common in all IBS patients. Diarrhea and constipation can appear alternately. One may also notice mucus in stools. In women, the symptoms of IBS usually flare up during their menstrual cycles.
With simple diet and lifestyle changes, most symptoms of IBS can be controlled adequately. However, if you develop any of these signs and symptoms, you should immediately see your doctor as it could indicate a more severe problem:
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Persistent fever
- Anemia
- Excessive vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty swallowing
- Severe nocturnal diarrhea
Common risk factors for IBS
There are certain risk factors for IBS. People under the age of 50, especially women, are at a higher risk of developing this disease. People undergoing estrogen therapy are also considered more at risk. IBS can also be hereditary and passed down from generation to generation; thus, having a family history of IBS is another risk factor. Mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression or a history of emotional or sexual abuse, can also lead to IBS.
How do gastroenterologists diagnose IBS?
IBS is usually a diagnosis of exclusion, i.e., after eliminating the possibility of the patient having other diseases with similar symptoms. After recording your medical history, the gastroenterologist will inquire about your symptoms in detail and perform a physical examination. Following this, you may need to undergo further evaluation via blood tests, stool sample tests, lactose intolerance tests, etc.
Lifestyle changes that help in alleviating IBS symptoms
Below are some tips to help alleviate IBS symptoms:
Diet: The easiest way of controlling IBS symptoms is by avoiding food that triggers it. According to various studies, certain food items that trigger IBS symptoms are caffeine, milk and milk products, wheat and wheat products, deep-fried foods, and spicy foods. Including food rich in fiber and drinking at least 3-4 glasses of water daily can help regulate your bowel movements.
Sleep: Developing and having a consistent sleeping schedule helps relieve the symptoms of IBS.
Exercise: Following a regular exercise routine helps in bringing stress levels down.
Smoking: Nicotine in cigarettes can worsen the symptoms of IBS by increasing the acid production in the stomach.
Probiotics: Probiotics increase good bacteria in the intestine and relieve gas and bloating symptoms.
Five exercises that help with IBS
The following are some expert-recommended IBS physical exercises that have been proven to help improve gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.
- Yoga: It helps connect and balance the body, brain, and breath. It improves the mind-body connection and helps improve the digestion and symptoms of IBS.
- Tai Chi: The movements in Tai Chi connect the body and breath and help reduce stress.
- Walking: Walking eases IBS symptoms and alleviates stress.
- Cycling: Cycling allows you to choose the intensity level and improves your body's overall health.
- Swimming: Swimming works on your entire body and boosts your mood at the same time.
What is constipation and its causes?
Constipation occurs when an individual experiences discomfort or infrequency in bowel movements. Typically, constipation is identified by the passage of small amounts of hard, dry stool, occurring less than three times a week. The frequency of normal stool elimination varies from three times a day to three times a week, depending on the individual.
The reason behind constipation is when the colon becomes dry and has hard stools due to excess water absorption. During the passage of food through the colon, also referred to as the large intestine, water is absorbed, forming stool or waste products. Subsequently, muscle contractions propel the stool towards the rectum. By the time it reaches the rectum, most water is absorbed, causing the stool to solidify.
When the colon muscles contract slowly, stool passage becomes sluggish. Some of the common causes of constipation are:
- Medications
- Lack of exercise
- Inadequate fluid intake
- Low dietary fiber
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Neglecting the urge to pass stool
- Lifestyle changes (e.g., travel, pregnancy, old age)
- Intestinal function issues
- Laxative abuse
Constipation symptoms may manifest as:
- Infrequent bowel movements (less than three times weekly).
- Dry, hard, and lumpy stools.
- Difficulty or pain during bowel movements.
- Experiencing stomach aches or cramps.
- A sensation of bloating and nausea.
- The perception of incomplete bowel emptying after a movement.
Addressing constipation involves several effective strategies, such as:
- Modify your diet to include more fiber.
- Ensure proper water intake throughout the day to soften stool.
- Maintain an active lifestyle.
- Consider switching routine medications under your doctor's guidance.
- Use laxatives judiciously, including enemas, glycerin suppositories, and stimulant laxatives.
- Incorporate daily fiber supplements like psyllium or bran cereals and stool softeners.
Additionally, the GI specialist near you may suggest biofeedback techniques. This approach helps individuals enhance the strength and efficiency of their pelvic floor muscles, contributing to better constipation management.
Finding the best gastroenterologist near you in San Francisco, CA
While IBS affects 5 to 10% of the population worldwide, in the US, it impacts 25 to 45 million people. It can turn into a significant issue, and therefore, getting help at the right time is crucial if symptoms persist. Bringing to you Zocdoc, the perfect platform to search for the healthcare providers best suited for your needs.
Having an account at Zocdoc is optional to access our vast database. Just type in your residential address, health problem or symptom, your insurance provider, and your preferred appointment date; Zocdoc immediately filters and presents to you a curated list of the best gastroenterologists practicing in your area.
Any gastroenterologist near you on Zocdoc has a profile that carries all the information you need to get a clear picture of their educational background, certification, work experience, awards, and verified customer feedback from previous patients who have sought treatment.
Since IBS is a chronic condition, the treatment also would be long-term. Zocdoc helps you know if the doctor of your choice is in-network, that is, accepts your health insurance. All you need to do is click on your insurance provider from the drop-down menu. You have the option to add medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account. However, you can only search for and book an appointment using one insurance plan at a time. If you have multiple insurance plans, you can include details about your secondary carrier and plan in the notes for the provider during the final step of the booking process. Additionally, if your provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can input your secondary insurance information when completing the forms online. If you have more insurance-related queries, you can visit Zocdoc’s insurance page.
With Zocdoc, you can book an in-person and online appointment a day in advance or even on the same day, depending on whether the GI specialist near you is available or not. Be assured that you will receive the best care possible.
All bookings at Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure.
Statistics on GI disorders in San Francisco, California
A common reason for consulting a gastroenterologist is hepatitis. Researchers used registry data to conduct a study in San Francisco, California, to see if the city will be able to achieve the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) projected 65% decrease in the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) mortality rates by 2030. Compared to the rest of the US, San Francisco showed a more significant reduction in the rates of deaths from HCV, and the conclusion was that San Francisco would achieve its target earlier than 2030.
Sources
Mayo Clinic[1]
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Cleveland Clinic[1]
Healthline
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
About IBS
Everyday Health
PubMed[1]
PubMed[2]
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Southwest Gastroenterology P.A.
Coryell Health
