Man experiencing stomach pain, consulting a gastroenterologist for digestive issues.CategoriesGastro
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Constantly Dealing With Digestive Troubles? When To Consult With A Gastroenterologist?

If you are dealing with unexplained and frequent digestive issues, such as changes in bowel habits or abdominal discomfort, then it is suggested that you consult with the best gastro doctor in Ludhiana, also referred to as a GI doctor. But if you have never consulted with a gastroenterologist before, then you don’t know whether your digestive symptoms warrant seeing a gastro doctor or not. You may also wonder: what is a gastroenterologist? Dr. Rajiv Grover, gastroenterologist at Grover Gastro & Fertility Centre, explains everything you want to know about gastro or digestive issues. 

How Do Gastroenterologists Help?

A gastroenterologist is the specialist who deals with the diseases and disorders related to the digestive system. The disorders that gastroenterologists treat  include: 

Gastroenterologists are trained to perform various procedures, including biopsy, colonoscopy and upper endoscopy, as well as other techniques. All these procedures are used to diagnose the digestive system and suggest the appropriate treatment by a gastroenterologist. 

When To Consider A Gastroenterologist?

Diarrhea 

  • From the food to certain medications many things can come with the doubt of diarrhea. The common symptom of diarrhoea is that your stool will be regularly more liquid than solid, so it’s time to consult with a gastroenterologist. 
  • Diarrhea is an indicator of various digestive disorders like IBD or IBS. According to doctors, IBS  is the most common cause of diarrhea. 
  • But no worries, there are various treatments that are recommended by the GI doctor to manage the symptoms of diarrhea. 

Constipation 

  • The frequency of bowel movements depends on the person, but according to the doctor, less than three weeks is considered constipation. 
  • You may also feel constipated if the bowel movements are small or not regular. If you feel constipated for more than a week, then without any delay consult with a gastroenterologist.   
  • Constipation may have many causes that are difficult to manage on your own at home. It’s better to consult with a GI doctor who can recommend medication or changes in lifestyle or eating habits that help make bowel movements more regular. 

Heartburn 

  • We all think that getting minor heartburn is not a huge matter of concern; normal heartburn can be managed at home with remedies like mixing a little water into chilled milk and drinking it. This helps to get relief from normal heartburn.
  • But if you are having heartburn for several weeks, then consult with a doctor because heartburn for a long time can be a symptom of GERD, a condition in which the lining of the esophagus gets damaged over time. 
  • The sensation of heartburn will not go away on its own, so without any delay, it’s important to be evaluated by a doctor because if the GERD is left untreated for a long time, it leads to permanent damage to the esophagus. 
  • This damage further leads to serious issues like swallowing problems, which can cause ulcers and also increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer.  

Feeling Bloated 

  • Bloating is the feeling when your tummy feels full or tight, caused by issues that result in gas production or gas being trapped in the colon. 
  • Constipation causes bloating because the waste is trapped in the colon for a long time, which is fermented by the resident bacteria, creating gas. But it can also be a sign of IBS or gastroparesis. 
  • Consulting with a gastroenterologist helps to identify what exactly causes the bloating and suggests an effective way to treat it. 

Conclusion 

If you noticed all the above-mentioned signs in your body, then it’s the right time to consider why and when you should see a gastroenterologist. When you schedule an appointment with the gastroenterologist, he will ask you about the various digestive symptoms, lifestyle habits, medical history or the medicines that you are taking, which can be the reason for the symptoms arising in your body. After evaluating all the concerns, the doctor will suggest to you the tests, medications, procedures or changes in lifestyle that help to manage these symptoms. 

FAQ’S

  • What are the signs of poor digestion?

The signs of poor digestion include bloating, stomach cramps, heartburn or irregular bowel movements. 

  • Can stress also cause digestive problems?

Yes, the gut and brain are closely connected. So issues like anxiety or stress can also cause digestive problems. 

  • What type of food helps to improve digestion?

High-fiber foods, including whole grains and vegetables, support better gut health and improve digestion. 

  • How much water intake is required for better digestion?

At least 7 to 8 liters of water intake is required for better digestion. 

  • Does the lack of sleep also affect gut health?

Yes, lack of sleep can interrupt the balance of gut bacteria and can worsen digestive discomfort and inflammation.

Woman consulting with a doctor about recurrent miscarriages and reproductive health.CategoriesGynecology
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What Does Science Say About Causes And Treatment Solutions For Recurrent Miscarriages?

Recurrent miscarriage means you have experienced 3 or more miscarriages. An early miscarriage is defined as occurring during the first trimester, or within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. According to specialists, pregnancy is not the same for everyone. If you have experienced recurrent miscarriages, then consult with specialists and find out why this happens and methods to manage it so that you can go ahead with a successful pregnancy. 

The common causes of miscarriage include structural abnormalities, PCOS, and hormonal imbalance in the woman who is trying to conceive a baby. Before conceiving, it’s important to manage such problems that are responsible for interrupting the process of a successful pregnancy. To manage the cause of recurrent miscarriages, specialists recommend various recurrent miscarriage tests to evaluate the exact cause of the recurrent miscarriage so that they can recommend the treatment accordingly. 

In this guide, you will get to know about the causes of recurrent miscarriage in detail, along with tests and treatments. 

Causes Of Recurrent Miscarriage:

Chromosomes Abnormalities: 

Chromosomes are the blocks of DNA that contain the instructions for the development of the baby. A common cause of recurrent miscarriage is that sometimes babies develop with the wrong number of chromosomes. Occasionally, the structure of the chromosome develops in the wrong way. This can also happen even when the parents have normal chromosomes. Recurrent miscarriage happens when one of the partners has abnormal chromosomes. 

Blood Clotting 

Some blood clotting disorders also cause recurrent miscarriage. They can cause sticky blood, which interrupts the flow of blood to the placenta and causes blood clots in the placenta.  If the placenta does not work properly, then the baby will not get enough blood and oxygen, which leads to miscarriage. 

All women who are experiencing recurrent miscarriage due to blood clotting are advised to undergo various tests, which are called screening for antiphospholipid antibodies. The treatment can involve blood thinning with the help of heparin and aspirin therapy.   

Hormonal Imbalance 

Having not enough or too many certain hormones can lead to complications in pregnancy and recurrent miscarriages. Problems with the thyroid are linked to miscarriage. The thyroid gland, present in the neck, produces the hormone. Well-controlled thyroid disease will not cause miscarriage. But higher levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and the presence of thyroid antibodies can increase the risk of miscarriage. 

Tests And Treatment For Miscarriage 

Healthcare specialists who deal with the problem of recurrent miscarriages suggest some recurrent miscarriage tests in Ludhiana to evaluate the exact cause of the recurrent miscarriage. By consulting with the specialist, you get the complete recurrent miscarriage tests guide; the tests considered for evaluation are mentioned below: 

Blood Tests 

These tests are suggested to check the pregnancy hormone level in the blood. This level is repeated after 48 hours. A low level of this hormone in the blood can lead to pregnancy loss. If the changes in hormone levels are irregular, then professionals may suggest an ultrasound or more blood tests. Your blood type can also be checked. 

Pelvic Exam 

Your healthcare professional may check that the lower end of the uterus, known as the cervix, has begun to open, which makes miscarriage more likely. 

Ultrasound 

During this test, the healthcare provider evaluates the heartbeat of the fetus and figures out whether the pregnancy is growing properly or not. If the result of this test is not clear, then specialists may suggest another ultrasound in a week. 

Tissue Tests 

If this is clear in imaging testing that you have passed, and something looks like tissue, it can be sent to the lab for further testing to confirm that a miscarriage has happened so that symptoms are not tied to another cause. 

Chromosomal Tests

If you have had two or more miscarriages, then a healthcare professional may recommend blood tests for you and your partner. This test helps to evaluate whether your and your partner’s chromosomes are linked, which leads to an increased risk of miscarriage. 

Conclusion 

Dealing with the complexities of recurrent miscarriage can be a challenging journey in both emotional and physical ways for hopeful parents. However, understanding the underlying causes of recurrent miscarriage gives the opportunity to seek treatment solutions according to the condition and on the basis of what the exact cause of the recurrent miscarriage is. 

The various treatment options available, such as hormone therapies, changes in lifestyle and surgical interventions, provide a clear path towards a successful pregnancy when the medical evaluation is paired with the dedicated specialist Dr. Vaishali Grover, best gynaecologist from the Grover Gastro & Fertility Centre, which provides you with hope and vital answers to get a successful pregnancy. If you are facing these challenges, then the next step is addressing the recurrent miscarriage question with the healthcare provider. 

FAQ’S

  1. What are the common causes of recurrent miscarriage?

The common causes of miscarriage are hormonal imbalance, blood clotting, problems with the uterus or genetic changes in the baby. 

  1. When should I see a doctor?

You can see a doctor after a second miscarriage so that they can suggest medical tests to determine the exact reason. 

  1. What tests are recommended for the evaluation?

For the evaluation, the doctor may suggest blood tests or imaging tests. 

  1. What type of lifestyle modifications help to prevent miscarriage?

Lifestyle modifications like eating a nutritious, rich diet, limiting consumption of caffeine, stopping smoking and alcohol and maintaining a healthy weight help to prevent miscarriage. 

Data sources:

Mayo Clinic 

National Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And  Kidney Disease