Every gastroenterologist in Jacksonville is trained to treat different conditions related to the digestive tract. The organs a gastroenterologist is concerned with include the stomach, pancreas, liver, colon and esophagus. There are many different symptoms you could experience that would suggest you need to see a gastroenterologist, but most of the time it isn’t necessary unless you have chronic pain or things like irritable bowel, which can be a nagging annoyance. Here are some of the most common reasons why you should see a Jacksonville gastroenterologist.
Lactose Intolerance
Anyone who has uncomfortable symptoms after consuming dairy products may have lactose intolerance. The symptoms could feel like irritable bowel syndrome, but it’s actually the body not being able to fully digest the food. See a gastroenterologist to determine the severity of lactose intolerance.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is much more serious than irritable bowel syndrome. It occurs when the body mistakes food for germs and attacks healthy tissue as a result. People with inflammatory bowel disease experience severe stomach pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, fatigue, fever and even joint pain. It’s critical to see a gastroenterologist if you suffer from any of these related symptoms.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease shares similar symptoms as gluten sensitivity, but the conditions are slightly different. People with celiac disease can develop damage in their small intestine when they eat gluten, while people with gluten sensitivity may just experience irritable bowel movements. A gastroenterologist will be able to determine which condition you have.
Screening for Colon Cancer
People age 50 and older should get regular colon cancer screenings by a gastroenterologist in Jacksonville. A screening can detect early signs of colon cancer, even if you aren’t experiencing any symptoms. Finding abnormal growths at an early stage has saved many lives, so the importance of getting a regular screening by a gastroenterologist can’t be understated.
Seeing a gastroenterologist could potentially save your life. Visit the Digestive Disease Consultants website or call 904-388-8686 to set up an appointment today.