When Should You Visit a Gastroenterologist for Stomach Pain?

Posted by Jason Jones on June 13th, 2021

Summary:- You need to consult a gastroenterologist if you experience frequent and persistent stomach pains coupled with rectal bleeding, persistent bowel changes, worsening stomach pain, or sudden and sharp pain on the lower right abdomen.

Everyone experiences stomach pain from time to time. This pain can be triggered by high stress, poor diet habits, or other environmental factors. Although stomach pain causes lots of discomforts, the symptoms usually fade away within a few days. However, chronic and persistent stomach pain can be a sign of a serious underlying problem. The best way to determine the cause of your stomach problem and guarantee your quality of life is by visiting the best doctor for gastroenterology. Some of the symptoms that warrant a visit to a gastroenterologist include:

Rectal bleeding

If you notice blood in your stool or on the toilet paper after wiping, then it means that bleeding may be occurring somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Normally, anal bleeding may occur due to an anal fissure or internal or external hemorrhoids. However, you need to see a gastritis doctorimmediately if you experience heavy or persistent bleeding along with stomach pain as it may signify something more serious.

Worsening stomach pain

Persistent stomach pain should be a concern, especially if the pain radiates from other body parts like the shoulder and back. This may be a sign of a serious problem related to the gallbladder or pancreas. If you have a digestive problem that affects the pancreas, you may experience vomiting, nausea, a tender stomach, and increased heart-rate. A gall bladder problem can trigger severe and sudden stomach pain that can resonate on the shoulders or back. If you experience these symptoms, it is best to seek immediate medical attention.

Persistent bowel changes

Although everyone may experience constipation or diarrhea, for most people, these issues tend to clear up on their own. However, if you experience recurring changes in your bowel movements coupled with stomach pain, then it is time to visit the best doctor for gastroenterology.

Sudden, sharp pain in lower right side

People may also experience sudden and severe stomach pain in the lower right side of the abdomen area. This pain may be caused by appendicitis. This may be accompanied by other discomforting symptoms like abdominal swelling, vomiting, and nausea. You should seek emergency medical care or consult a gastroenterologist since appendicitis-related systems usually appear intensely and rapidly and get worse with time.

If you are experiencing chronic or persistent stomach pain that does not clear with traditional treatments and remedies or dietary changes and is accompanied by other symptoms such as rectal bleeding, fever, and bowel movement changes, you should consult a hepatologist doctor. These professionals are experts in handling gastrointestinal tract problems and will provide accurate diagnosis and treatment.