Managing digestive health can be challenging, making it crucial to know when to seek specialized care from a gastroenterologist should you need treatment. According to Dr. George Tan of the Vegas Digestive Health Center, which specializes in diagnosing and treating digestive system conditions and serves the greater Las Vegas, NV community, is essential when experiencing significant or persistent digestive symptoms or a family history of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases.
Navigating Digestive Health - Symptoms/Conditions Requiring a GI Consultation
Early diagnosis and routine or regular treatment by a gastroenterologist offer the opportunity to obtain improved outcomes and an improved quality of life. Contact Dr. Tan for a consultation if you have -
- Chronic/Severe Stomach Pain — Persistent or severe pain that remains despite the use of over-the-counter medications (or lifestyle modifications) may be indicative of a serious condition, such as gallstones or pancreatitis.
- Persistent Diarrhea or Constipation — Chronic changes in bowel habits may indicate the presence of conditions that may include GI conditions like IBD, inflammatory bowel disease, and IBS-irritable bowel syndrome, etc.
- Ongoing Heartburn/GERD — Frequent heartburn (or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)) that doesn’t respond to conventional treatments requires evaluation to prevent further complications.
- Continuing Nausea/Vomiting — Nausea and vomiting may signal GI disorders like obstruction.
- Difficulty Swallowing — Trouble swallowing or feeling like food is stuck in the throat (which is known as dysphagia) may be symptomatic of esophageal disorders that need medical attention.
- Unintentional Weight Loss — Significant weight loss can indicate various gastrointestinal conditions.
- Bloody Stool — Visible blood in the stool requires immediate medical assessment to determine the cause, including hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, or other conditions.
- Jaundice — Yellowing of the skin/eyes may indicate liver disease or an obstruction of your bile duct.
- Anemia — Unexplained iron deficiency can indicate chronic GI tract blood loss, which a professional endoscopic evaluation should evaluate.
In addition, a family history of conditions like colorectal cancer or IBD may necessitate early and regular screenings.
When to Consult a Gastroenterologist
An immediate visit to a gastroenterologist is required if –
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Blood in vomit/stool.
- Jaundice.
- Significant, unintentional weight loss.
However, although not as urgent, it is important to schedule a timely visit if you experience any of the following -
- A family history of gastroenterology diseases.
- Chronic digestive issues like nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, or constipation.
- Difficulty when swallowing.
- Inexplicable anemia.
Contact a Leading Las Vegas, NV, Gastroenterologist
Regular screenings and proactive management are essential for maintaining digestive health and preventing serious complications. For more information, contact Dr. Tan or a staff member of the Vegas Digestive Health Center at 702-625-8989 or online.