Gastroenterology
Gastroenterologists are specialists who treat diseases of the digestive system and those affecting the gastrointestinal tract including the organs from mouth to anus ranging from indigestion to abdominal pain, appendicitis, jaundice, gallstones, lactose
intolerance, hepatitis, reflux, ulcers, and hemorrhoids
Signs and Symptoms for Gastroenterological Conditions
Haemorrhoids which are also known as piles are swollen veins in the lower rectum or anus. It can develop around the anus or inside the rectum.
Haemorrhoid’s symptoms include:
- Irritation or itching around the anus
- Swelling and/or bleeding
- Discomfort and pain around the anus
- Lumps around the anus
- Feeling like you still need to pass motion even after going to the toilet
- Presence of mucus on your underwear or toilet paper
It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you experience large amounts of rectal bleeding, dizziness, or light-headedness.
IBD are disorders represented by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. IBD can lead to debilitating, life-threatening complications if it is not treated
IBD symptoms include:
- Diarrhoea
- Blood in the stool
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Fatigue and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Unintended weight loss
Symptoms can vary depending on how severe the inflammation is, as well as the location in which it occurs. A person with IBD can also have times of remission and times when the illness is active.
Small, bulging pouches that form on the digestive system lining are called diverticula. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches are inflamed or infected.
- Pain or sensitivity at the lower left side of the abdomen is the most common symptom. The pain can start mildly and increase over a few days, or can come on suddenly.
- Constipation or diarrhoea which is less common
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal tenderness
- Fever
- Chills
- Rectal bleeding
IBS is a condition that affects the digestive system. While it does not cause any changes to bowel tissues or increase the risk of colorectal cancer, it can be frustrating to live with.
Symptoms of IBS include:
- Stomach pains and cramps which are usually worse after eating and relieved after going to the toilet.
- Diarrhoea, or constipation, or sometimes alternating between the two
- Bloating
- Excess gas
- Mucus in the stool
More serious signs that should be treated immediately include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Diarrhoea at night
- Rectal bleeding
- Unexplained vomiting
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Persistent stomach pains that won't go away even after a bowel movement
With gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing acid reflux and irritating the esophagus lining.
Common symptoms include:
- Burning sensation in the chest area, or heartburn especially after eating and seems worse at night.
- Chest pains
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sensation of having a lump in your throat
- Regurgitation of sour liquid or food
Acid reflux in during the night can result in:
- Laryngitis
- Chronic cough
- Asthma
- Sleep disruptions
Colon cancer typically starts in the large intestine, which is the final part of the digestive tract. Colorectal cancer refers to cancer that affects both the colon and the rectum. While it usually affects older adults, colon and colorectal cancer can occur at any age.
Colon cancer is sometimes called colorectal cancer, which is a term that combines colon cancer and rectal cancer, which begins in the rectum.
Colorectal cancer symptoms include:
- A change in bowel habits - this may include diarrhoea, constipation, or stool consistency
- Blood in your stool or rectal bleeding
- Abdominal discomfort (cramps, pain, or gas) that doesn’t seem to go away
- Feeling like your bowel does not empty completely even though you’ve been to the toilet.
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue and weakness
Some people do not experience any symptoms in the early stages of colon cancer. Symptoms may also vary for different individuals. The best way to catch this disease is through regular screening, especially if you have risk factors such as a family history of it.
Tips to Keep Your Gut Healthy
The gastrointestinal tract plays many vital roles in sustaining health and wellness, starting with water and food. Our digestive process provides us with the foundation to live and carry out daily functions while staying healthy and happy. These few important factors should be taken into consideration to maintain healthy gastrointestinal health:
- Eat healthy foods
- Keep hydration levels optimal
- Include adequate fibre in your diet
- Thoroughly chew food before swallowing
- Keep a healthy and active lifestyle
- Manage lifestyle stress
- Get routine medical screenings
- Maintain a healthy sleep schedule
- Consider probiotic supplementation
Are you or a loved one facing any of these gastrointestinal concerns? Our dedicated team of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals are eveready for consultation. Learn more at your nearest Gleneagles Hospital.
Treatments for Gastroenterological Conditions
We aim to get you back on track to your regular healthy daily life activities. Each treatment option like these listed below will be recommended by our medical team largely depending on your individual condition, and health and medical history.
Prescription drugs to neutralise, reduce and block excessive
stomach acid production may be prescribed. Drastic measures include surgery and
procedures such as these listed below may be recommended:
-
Fundoplication to tighten the muscle and prevent reflux by wrapping the top of
the stomach around the lower esophageal sphincter.
- Insertion of a LINX device, a string of magnetic beads, around the stomach
allowing for the magnetic elements of the beads to draw the junction closer
together yet still enable food to move through.
Stage 1 and 2 hemorrhoid development may require lifestyle
changes and minor medical treatment which may include diets with high fibre
foods, the usage of topical treatments, warm water soaks and anal area
cleanliness. Haemorrhoid symptoms often go away within one or two weeks.
However,
if persistent bleeding and painful haemorrhoids occur, our specialist team may
perform rubber band ligation, in which one or two small bands are placed at the
base of the haemorrhoid to cut off blood circulation. Alternatively, injections
(sclerotherapy) and coagulation via infrared and/or lasers may be recommended
for haemorrhoid size reduction.
If
surgery is recommended, the two main options include:
- Haemorrhoidectomy
- the most effective and complete way to treat severe or recurring
haemorrhoids.
- Stapled
haemorrhoidectomy or stapled haemorrhoidopexy - where blood flow to
haemorrhoidal tissue is blocked off. This process is typically used for
internal haemorrhoids. Though causing less pain, this procedure has a greater
recurring risk as compared to a regular haemorrhoidectomy
The typical main treatment method for this
would be surgery to remove the cancer. Your doctor may also recommend
chemotherapy as well as radiation therapy before and after successful surgery.
In order to treat this condition, various drugs may be
prescribed to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system that is
causing the inflammation, using antibiotics to treat any related infections.
Pain relief as well as anti-diarrhoea medication may also be prescribed.
As
bowel rest may reduce inflammation, nutrition through feeding tube inserts or
via intravenous injections may be recommended for more severe cases.
For
drastic measures, surgery to remove diseased parts of the large and/or small
intestine may sometimes be required for much more severe cases.
The easiest path to treatment for this
condition would be diet improvement and sometimes antibiotics. Mild cases of
diverticulitis infection may only require rest, a liquid diet, stool softeners
and antibiotics. However, surgery may be recommended for more severe cases
along with a course of antibiotics and intravenous nutrition.
Changes in your diet, or completely removing foods that cause
bloating may be recommended by your doctor. Depending on your range of
symptoms, fibre supplements, laxative or diarrheal medication may be prescribed
to you.
Certain
drugs may be prescribed to:
-
Ease diarrhea via reduction of muscular contraction and secretion of fluids in
the intestine, while increasing rectal muscular tone
-
Decrease overgrowth of bacteria
-
Increase fluid secretion in small intestines to help bowel movement
Gastroenterological diagnosis by tests
Gleneagles' range of hospitals provides you with the best
diagnostic and screening services, all wrapped up in a modern and comfortable
setting. Your results will be reviewed by doctors who will explain and offer
the necessary treatment options based on your ailment, lifestyle and/or risk
factors.
Due to the nature of gastrointestinal conditions, a
wide variety of symptoms may surface thus a proper diagnosis should first begin
with a gastroenterologist questioning family medical history prior to a
physical examination. Additional lab tests and imaging may be required such as
these below:
This diagnosis allows for the close scrutiny of
the stomach and digestive tract. A long instrument resembling a long tube with
a camera called an endoscope is used to take images of the inter
gastrointestinal environment. For further diagnosis, biopsies may taken to be
microscopically examined to help in cancer cell detection.
Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
scans help give specialists a cross-sectional view of the abdominal organs.
This then helps them visualize the conditions of the internal structures of the
body.
Often used to check faecal occult blood tests
for colorectal screening, this test can help assess the patient's gut health by
taking into consideration the change in acidity (pH), colour and consistency of
stools. The presence of mucus, red and white blood cells, sugar, fat and bile
can help further understand the causes of indigestion, constipation, diarrhea,
mal-absorption and infection.
Liver function tests, blood counts and
pancreatic enzyme tests can help determine conditions such as parasitic, viral
or bacterial infections, lactose intolerance, celiac disease and diarrhoea.
These blood tests may often help exclude other serious illnesses.
Sound waves are used to produce dynamic images
of organs that may not be accessed via other conventional means such as the
gallbladder, pancreas and liver.
As medical test used to detect polyps and other
various abnormal gastrointestinal growth, a camera is embedded at the end of a
flexible tube, which is then inserted via the anus. This allows specialists to
visually examine the large intestine and parts of the small intestine for any
abnormalities.
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