Gasto Symptoms is your health guide to GI related issues: colonoscopy screening, abdominal pain, heartburn, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal symptoms

2. Abdominal pain is pretty common and something almost
all of us have experienced at one point or another. From
overeating, to heartburn and indigestion, to constipation or
diarrhea, the symptoms are quite common. While these
don’t always warrant a trip to the doctor, symptoms that do
require immediate attention are:
frequent or persistent abdominal pain: typically treated
by a gastroenterologist.
severe abdominal pain: patient should go to the closest
emergency room (ER).

3. Symptoms that do not resolve over time or recur (chronic
symptoms) require evaluation by a physician. Abdominal
pain can occur for many different reasons, with widely
varying degrees of severity. Intense pain can indicate
several different conditions, from inflammation to
appendicitis, and should not be ignored. Sudden onset of
abdominal pain can be worrisome for patients and a
challenge for doctors. Therefore, a careful and logical
approach for the assessment of abdominal pain is
necessary.

4. Heartburn
Reflux of acid or stomach contents into the throat
Bloated or distended sensation in the abdomen
Constipation
Diarrhea
Difficulty swallowing
Any significant change in bowel movements
Vomiting
Fresh or altered blood passing from the rectum

5. If bloating is persistent or is accompanied by additional
symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, or nausea, a
gastroenterologist should be consulted. Moreover, rectal
bleeding can be a sign of colon polyps or other conditions,
such as hemorrhoids or even colon cancer. A polyp is a
growth that can occur in the large intestine, or colon. Large
polyps can cause abdominal pain. Some polyps are
precancerous, meaning that if they are not removed they
could slowly progress into a cancer. A gastroenterologist
can perform a colonoscopy and remove the polyp.
Colonoscopy can also assist in determining the underlying
cause for constant bloating.

6. All of us may have occasional heartburn or acid reflux.
However, frequent heartburn, food “sticking in the throat” or a
chronic and persistent sore throat may be associated with a
more severe problem known as gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD). GERD is a medical condition in which acid
from the stomach flows up into the esophagus. People suffering
from GERD complain about a burning discomfort, localized
behind the breastbone that can move up towards the throat. The
burning sensation can also be accompanied by a bitter or sour
taste of the acid in the back of the mouth. Moreover, repeated
exposure to acid can cause ulcers and tissue abnormalities that
affect a person’s ability to breathe, swallow, and speak. If left
uncontrolled, chronic acid reflux and the damage caused by it
can ultimately lead to cancer.

7. If you have any of the above mentioned
symptoms be sure to call your GI doctor.
These conditions can often be treated
effectively with timely recognition,
management and appropriate therapy.