Gastroenterology Conditions and Treatment | Meet the Best Gastroenterologists in Malaysia

With gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, causing acid reflux and irritating the oesophagus lining.

Common GERD 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 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 does not seem to go away.
• Feeling like your bowel does not empty completely even though you have 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 detect colorectal cancer is through regular screening, especially if you have risk factors such as a family history of it.

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.

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.

Small, bulging pouches that form on the digestive system lining are called diverticula. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches are inflamed or infected.

Diverticulitis symptoms include:

• 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.

IBS symptoms 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 will not go away even after a bowel movement.

Celiac disease is a genetic, long-term digestive condition and an autoimmune disorder initiated by eating foods that contain gluten, which is a protein present in products made from wheat, rye, and barley like pasta, cakes, bread, and breakfast cereals.

Common celiac disease symptoms, which may be similar to other health conditions include:

• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Feeling bloated
• Bowel movements that are oily and float
• Lack of appetite
• Tingling sensation or numbness in the legs

Consult a gastroenterologist for an accurate diagnosis.

The typical main treatment method for colorectal cancer would be surgery to remove the cancer. Your gastroenterologist may also work with an oncologist to recommend chemotherapy as well as radiation therapy before and after successful surgery.

To treat inflammatory bowel condition, various drugs may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system causing the inflammation. Antibiotics is used to treat any related infections. Pain relief and anti-diarrhoea medication may also be prescribed.

As bowel rest may reduce inflammation, nutrition through feeding tube inserts or 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 some severe cases.

Stage 1 and 2 haemorrhoid developments 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 for haemorrhoids, 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 easiest path to treatment for diverticulitis 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.

To treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), 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.

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, laxatives, or diarrheal medication may be prescribed to you.

Certain drugs may be prescribed to:

• Ease diarrhoea 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.