You should see a gastroenterologist if you have any symptoms of a digestive health disorder or if you need colon cancer screening. Often, seeing a gastroenterologist leads to more accurate detection of polyps and cancer, fewer complications from procedures and less time spent in the hospital.
Is it Time to Make Your Appointment? You should see a gastroenterologist by 45. That's the age that those who have an average risk of colorectal cancer should begin getting colonoscopies.
In the elderly individual, new medical issues can arise, such as diverticular disease or colorectal cancer, or long-standing conditions can worsen, such as dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), celiac disease, and GERD.
What are the red flags for gastrointestinal disease?
Specific red flag symptoms that warrant immediate referral include problems swallowing, palpable lumps in the stomach and significant unintended weight loss over the last six to 12 months.
How do you know if something is wrong with your intestines?
blood in your stools (faeces), which can make them look bright red, dark red, or black. a change in normal bowel habits lasting three weeks or more. unexplained weight loss and tiredness. an unexplained pain or lump in your tummy.
How does a gastroenterologist look at your stomach?
Gastroscopy
A gastroscopy checks your food pipe, stomach and upper part of the small intestine (duodenum) for abnormalities. This minimally invasive procedure uses a thin, flexible camera, which is inserted through your mouth into your stomach and duodenum, to diagnose problems and take tissue samples.
A doctor might refer someone to a gastroenterologist if they have symptoms that suggest a problem with the digestive system. Gastroenterologists can diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of gut-related conditions. They also carry out certain medical procedures, such as endoscopies and colonoscopies.
For example: Digestion issues, including indigestion, gas, constipation, diarrhea, food allergies, and food poisoning, are all extremely common causes of stomach pain. In most cases, the discomfort will go away within a few hours or a few days.
Call your doctor if you have any of these digestive symptoms: Chronic or unusual abdominal pain. Persistent or severe heartburn. Difficulty swallowing.
There's no test for IBS, but you might need some tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. The GP may arrange: a blood test to check for problems like coeliac disease. tests on a sample of your poo to check for infections and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
What Bowel Habit Changes Come with Aging? As stated at the outset, as we age things change, and this includes bowel habits. The most common thing to happen with age is that constipation is more frequent.
And just as the muscles throughout your body might tire more easily than they did in your 20s and 30s, the muscles in your gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus and bowel, can slow down. This often leads to increased symptoms, such as acid reflux or constipation, respectively, over age 65.
