Alarming Symptoms Indicating the Need to Visit a Gastroenterologist

Good health is a must to enjoy the gift of life and live to the fullest. Therefore, it is advisable to secure your and your family’s health. One of the ways to achieve this is by getting a Bajaj Health Card. It is available in family packs and also has EMI provisions for convenience.

  Contrary to the popular notion, the human gastrointestinal system is not limited to the stomach and intestines. Instead, gastroenterology examines the functioning and diseases of multiple organs, including the stomach, small intestine, esophagus, colon and rectum, pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder, and liver.

  Residents of Pune who undergo Gastroenterological ailments desperately look for a seasoned Gastroenterologist in Pune.

Some of the common conditions diagnosed by Gastroenterologists are mentioned below:

• Pancreatitis
• Celiac Disease
• Gallbladder Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• GERD (Acid Reflux, Heartburn)
• Polyps (Growth of Abnormal Tissues)
• Ulcers (Stomach Lining develops Painful Sores)
• Cancer (Gastrointestinal, Colorectal, Pancreatic, Liver)
• Haemorrhoids (Lowest Part of the Rectum and Anus develops Swollen Veins)

Given below are 11 signs that should be treated as an alarm to consult a Gastroenterologist:

Weight Loss with no Valid Reason

Weight loss may not sound like a lame reason to raise suspicion. However, it is essential to keep in mind that rapid weight loss is not a regular change. Weight loss caused due to change in diet or exercise is natural. You must consult a Gastroenterologist if you lose weight for no identifiable reason.

 Digestive issues decrease the body’s ability to absorb calories and nutrients. Hence, unexplained weight loss could be a result of digestive issues.

 Any of the following reasons could cause unexplained and rapid weight loss:

• Cirrhosis
• Peptic ulcer
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Chronic pancreatitis

One would have no idea when a mild issue such as rapid weight loss could turn out to be dangerous. Therefore, it is recommended to issue a Bajaj Health Card to secure health benefits.

Passing an Excessive Amount of Gas

Passing gas is perceived as a regular part of digestion. An average person passes gas around 5 to 15 times a day.

Some of the everyday edible items leading to the passing of gas include:

• Beans
• Cabbage
• Antibiotics
• Spicy food
• Dairy products
• Carbonated drinks
• Spicy foods

Certain digestive conditions can cause excessive gas. Some of them include the conditions stated below:

• Celiac disease
• Autoimmune pancreatitis
• IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
• IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease)
• GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)

You should not ignore some conditions if they accompany excessive gas. If excessive gas is accompanied by any of the following conditions, then visiting a Gastroenterologist must be considered:

• Fever
• Weakness
• Muscle aches
• Bloody stools
• Severe abdominal pain
• Instances of Rectal Bleeding

Different reasons lead to blood in the stool. However, it mostly indicates bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract. Hemorrhoid’s or an anal fissure could cause it. Anal fissure refers to a small cut or a tear in the anus’s tissue lining. Apart from these, it could also be caused by cancer.

YOU must consult a Gastroenterologist in Pune if encountered with such bleeding.

Visible Rise in the Frequency of Heartburn

Frequent heartburn could be a potential indicator of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or Barrett’s Oesophagus. It could also indicate something as dangerous as oesophageal cancer.

Visible Rise in the Frequency of Abdominal Pain

A red flag is that abdominal pain or bloating that occurs as frequently as nearly after the meal one eats. If such pain is accompanied by nausea or painful bowel movements, one must consult a physician. A physician may refer the patient to a gastroenterologist for further tests.

• Observing Elements of Abnormality in Bowel Movements:
• Constipation:

Passing less than three bowel movements in a week indicates the likelihood of constipation due to several severe conditions. The conditions could be a blockage, diet, neurological issues, muscular or hormonal malfunction, or other factors. A gastroenterologist can aid in determining the exact cause.

• Diarrhoea:  If runny stool persists for over a few days, the cause could be a virus. Other causes include:
• Lactose intolerance.
• A reaction to the medication.
• The presence of bacteria or a parasite.

 It could also indicate other digestive disorders such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

 Hitting the age to be Regularly Screened for Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer often begins with precancerous polyps. They can be detected and removed through a colonoscopy. A preventive measure is to get a screening test done. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) suggested that adults aged 50 to 75 should be screened for colorectal cancer. However, some patients can need screening at a comparatively younger age.

Difficulty in Swallowing or Pain in the Esophageal

It is another sign that could appear less serious on the face of it. However, it is advisable not to ignore the symptom. Securing Health through Insurance or other policies. Ensuring the health of oneself and one’s family to be prepared for health-related urgencies is a wise option. The Bajaj Health Cardis available in different categories and packs for ensuring healthcare.

The Health Check-up package offered by Bajaj Finserv Health gives several benefits. They include benefits up to Rs 6,700, over 50 diagnostic tests, and 3 variants of lab packages. A smart variation to choose from is the Bajaj Finserv Health EMI Network Card. It is a solution that allows you to pay the medical expenses of you and your family in EMIs. The Health EMI Network Card can be availed for over 800+ treatments. These treatments include wellness procedures, dental care, hair transplants, eye care, diagnostic care, stem cell banking, etc. This service is available in over a thousand cities, including Pune, with 5500 patterns to choose from.

  The consultation fee of a Gastroenterologist in Pune depends on the hospital with which the specialist is attached. Therefore, Punekars must keep this point in mind to know the right amount of consultation fee. Also, getting a Bajaj Health Card would be a wise choice.