The gastrointestinal (GI) tract contains all the digestive system's major organs responsible for breaking down food into nutrients to nourish the body. However, disorders affecting the digestive system can range from mild to life-threatening. Some symptoms may indicate a digestive health problem, so don't delay care.

What Is a Gastroenterologist

A gastroenterologist in Coachella Valley specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the GI tract. They train in internal medicine before focusing on the digestive system. Primary care physicians usually refer patients to a gastroenterologist if they have any symptoms of a digestive health disorder.

As an overview, the digestive system is comprised of the:

• Mouth – the beginning of the GI tract. Digestion starts when the food you chew mixes with the saliva to break it down for easier digestion.
• Esophagus – receives the food that you swallow from your mouth. A small flap called the epiglottis covers the windpipe, so the food travels down the stomach and does not interfere with normal breathing.
• Stomach – where food further breaks down from the stomach's powerful enzymes and strong acids.
• Small intestine – a 22-foot-long tube that breaks down food using pancreatic enzymes and the liver's bile. It is where nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream.
• Pancreas – releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine's duodenum to break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates. The pancreas also makes and releases insulin into the bloodstream to metabolize sugar.
• Liver – further processes the nutrients absorbed from the small intestine. It also detoxifies potentially harmful chemicals.
• Gallbladder – stores bile from the liver and then releases it into the duodenum.
• Colon – a 6-foot tube that processes waste to be released from the body.
• Rectum – receives feces from the colon and holds it until evacuation happens.
• Anus – the last part of the digestive system through which feces leave the body.

What To Expect at a GI Appointment?

Your gastroenterologist will ask you about your medical history. Tell your gastroenterologist about your symptoms and other details, as well as how long you've been feeling pain or discomfort and which body areas are most affected. Disclose any other medical conditions you've been diagnosed with and medications you are taking. Your gastroenterologist will also ask if you have a family history of digestive diseases. Tell them of any recent lifestyle changes or whether you have had rapid or unexplained weight loss in the past year.

Next will be a physical exam that includes:

• Examining your abdominal area for any lumps or discomfort.
• Listening for bowel noises in each of your abdominal quadrants.
• Feeling the rectal cavity for lumps, muscle tone, bulges or inflammation.

Your gastroenterologist may request you undergo imaging tests to rule out other possible conditions. If your gastroenterologist needs more information, they may perform an endoscopy to look inside the body and perform procedures if required. This procedure involves using an endoscope, a thin tube with a tiny camera and powerful lighting at the end. GI endoscopies include:

• Colonoscopy – looks for polyps and cancer of the colon or large intestine.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) – an upper endoscopy procedure that looks into the biliary system. This procedure allows a gastroenterologist to perform tissue sampling, stone removal and other treatments as needed.
• Endoscopic ultrasound – similar to a standard upper endoscopy but with an ultrasound probe attached at the instrument's tip, allowing greater detail in the images shown.
• Enteroscopy – for examining the small intestine.
• Polypectomy – removing polyps from the intestines or stomach during endoscopy.

Upper endoscopy – also known as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), this procedure aims to examine the upper GI tract (from the throat to the upper small intestine).

What Are the Most Common Gastrointestinal Diseases?

Here are some of the most common digestive disorders:

• Celiac disease – an inherited autoimmune disease where gluten ingestion can damage the small intestine.
• Constipation – infrequent or difficult passing of stool.
• Diverticular disease – the inflammation of the diverticula, small pouches that form along the large intestine walls.
• Gallstones – hardened liver bile deposits that form as stones in the gallbladder.
• Gastritis – inflammation of the stomach lining.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – acid reflux or heartburn that happens more than a couple of times a week. It is estimated that about 20% of the U.S. population has GERD.
• Hemorrhoids – painful and swollen blood vessels in the anus. This condition affects about one in 20 people in the U.S.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – an umbrella term for the chronic GI inflammatory conditions Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. About seven million people worldwide have this condition.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a group of GI symptoms that happens at least three times a month for three consecutive months. Unlike IBD, IBS does not harm the GI tract.
• Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) – an open sore in the stomach lining or the upper part of the small intestine.
• Non-celiac gluten sensitivity – a condition involving certain digestive health symptoms resulting from gluten ingestion but not from a wheat allergy or celiac disease.
• Viral gastroenteritis – infection of the intestines.

Why Would You Be Referred to a Gastroenterologist?

See your primary care physician if you experience the following symptoms so you may be given a gastroenterologist referral for proper diagnosis and treatment:

• Chronic constipation
• Diarrhea that lasts more than four weeks
• Frequent heartburn
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
• Rectal bleeding
• Trouble swallowing
  Unexplained abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• And other unusual digestive issues

Recommendations

Some digestive health conditions may improve on their own. But if symptoms worsen or persist, it may be time to contact your doctor for further evaluation. No digestive problem is too small or too big for Desert Care Network.

If you are worried about recurring symptoms affecting your digestive system, now is an excellent time to speak with one of our digestive health specialists in Arizona for proper diagnosis, evaluation and treatment. Please don't delay care. We are here always to help take care of your digestive health.

Sources:
American College of Gastroenterology
Celiac Disease Foundation
Cleveland Clinic
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Library of Medicine
Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic
U.S. News