The Pain Is In Your Side Or Lower Back And It Hurts To Pee
It could be a kidney stone, which is a pebble-like piece of material that can form in one or both of your kidneys when you have high levels of certain minerals in your pee. Kidney stones can vary in shape and size, the NIDDK explains, and while its possible to have one and not even know it, larger stones can cause some otherworldly pain as they pass through your urinary tract on their way out of your body. Pain usually comes and goes and may move toward the groin, Dr. Lee says. The pain can be so intense that it can cause nausea, vomiting, and chills. In addition to the pain, you might also notice that your urine is pink, red, or brown due to blood, the NIDDK says. Given how painful kidney stones can be, you probably dont need us to tell you that you should see a doctor if you think you have them. Seriously, though, dont try to tough it out!
How To Describe Your Pain
Sometimes it can be challenging to describe the location and characteristics of the pain. However, describing your pain in detail can help your doctor narrow down possible causes. Although pain is subjective, there are common ways to describe different types of pain.
The National Institutes of Health recommends telling the following information to your healthcare provider. Consider keeping a pain journal, so you remember:
- How long your pain has lasted
- Its location left side, right side, upper, lower, or middle
- If it stays in one place or radiates out
- How it feels and how severe
- If itâs constant or comes and goes
- What makes it worse or better
- How often it happens and for how long
- How it limits or affects your life
- Anything that seems to trigger it
Some common ways to describe how it feels are:
- Aching
Procedures Performed By Gastroenterologists
Gastroenterologists perform the following procedures and treatments, for which theyve received extensive training:
- Upper Endoscopy
The most common conditions, diseases, and disorders diagnosed and treated by gastroenterologists include:
- Cancer
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Hemorrhoids
- Hepatitis C
- Ulcers
- Pancreatitis
There are some frequently occurring signs and symptoms that may warrant a visit to your gastroenterologist, who can then diagnose and treat any one of the myriad related disorders.
Here are seven signs you should consider scheduling a consultation with your gastroenterologist:
1. Abnormal Bowel Movements
- Constipation: If you pass fewer than three bowel movements per week, your constipation may be due to blockage, neurological issues, muscular or hormonal malfunction, diet, or other factors. A gastroenterologist can help determine the cause.
- Diarrhea: If runny stools persist for more than a few days, it could be due to a virus, parasite/bacteria, lactose intolerance, reaction to medication, or indicative of other digestive disorders, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, just to name a few.
- Excessive Gas: Although everyone experiences gas, excessive gas in addition to other symptoms can be concerning, and possibly indicative of lactose intolerance, Crohns disease, or colon cancer.
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Is Pain Down The Leg Sciatica
If you have pain that begins in your lower back, spreads to one side, and then shoots down one buttock ultimately traveling down the back of your leg you may be experiencing sciatica.
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in your body, is compressed. This usually happens by a direct traumatic injury , a medical condition , or a spinal condition .
The Pain Came On Pretty Quickly And Youre Vomiting
This could also be a sign of foodborne illness like salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, or E.coli. Its really no surprise that if you eat something off, your body might pull an Exorcist in response.
But these symptoms can also happen due to acute gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, Priyam V. Tripathi, M.D., M.P.H., a gastroenterologist at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, tells SELF. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines that can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasite, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says, noting that the viral form of gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the United States. While it can be hard to tell the difference between food poisoning and the stomach flu , one key differentiator is that gastroenteritis usually doesnt cause bloody diarrhea, while food poisoning often does, as SELF previously explained.
The good news is that gastroenteritis usually goes away on its own, Dr. Tripathi says. But, she adds, if youre struggling to keep fluids down , its definitely time to see a doctor.
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What Happens If Your Digestive System Is Not Working Properly
An unhealthy digestive system can impair your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, store fat and regulate blood sugar. Insulin resistance or the urge to overeat due to decreased nutrient absorption might cause weight gain. On the other hand, weight loss may be a result of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
Which Specialist Should You See For Gut Problems
By Kimberly Gillan|
If youre suffering bloating, diarrhoea or constipation, knowing which expert to turn to can be an absolute minefield.
Everyone you know will have an opinion about whether Western or traditional medicine is best and pretty soon youll be tempted to throw your hands in the air because finding the right clinician is just too overwhelming.
To help you understand the difference between philosophies, we spoke to leading experts in each field to ask them how they help treat gut issues.
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What Your Doctor May Do If You Seek Medical Help
Your doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination to determine the source of your stomach pain. Questions about your symptoms will be asked, such as the type of pain youre having, , and the location of the pain. Your doctor will also ask about medications youre taking, when the pain is at its worst and if shifting positions helps or makes the pain worse.
After the assessment, depending on what the doctor finds, it may be recommended that you undergo tests to further determine the cause of your pain. The tests can include stool or urine tests, blood tests, upper gastrointestinal tract x-rays, enemas, an endoscopy, an ultrasound, or CT scan.
Contact us today for a consultation with Park Avenue Medical Professionals if you have concerns about your stomach issues. We specialize in diagnosing and treating stomach problems and can recommend customized testing and lifestyle changes needed to help improve your overall health and well-being. on this page to request an appointment or call to learn more.
In General What Conditions Do Gastroenterologists Treat
Gastroenterologists can evaluate for and treat a wide variety of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease , gastroesophageal reflux disease , celiac disease, peptic ulcer disease, obesity and more. GI doctors also routinely perform screenings for colon cancer.
My area of specialty is in prevention and early detection of cancers such as colorectal, gastric and pancreatic cancer. I enjoy helping patients, especially those with a family history, understand their risk for cancer while offering genetic testing, screening and more.
Overall, its important for patients to openly discuss stress and GI symptoms with their doctors. Primary care doctors can help manage stress and treat symptoms, but in some cases it may be necessary to see a gastroenterologist to evaluate for other conditions.
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Signs You Should See A Gastroenterologist
If youre experiencing unusual digestive issues or new pain and discomfort in your digestive tract, its best not to ignore them. While it may be tempting to wait and see if they go away or diminish, but this is a gamble you shouldnt take. The condition may become worse or even life-threatening.
A gastroenterologist is an expert in gastrointestinal ailments and is trained to diagnose and treat them. Here are 11 signs that you should see a gastroenterologist.
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Should I Be Taking Medicine
Sometimes medicine can help. Your doctor might suggest that you take an antidepressant. This kind of medicine might help your pain even if you arent depressed.
Narcotic medicines will not cure your problem and can be addictive. These medicines also have side effects, like constipation, sleepiness and poor memory. These side effects might make you feel worse.
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Signs You Should See A Doctor About Stomach Pain
Stomach pain can be tricky for even the best doctors to diagnose, so if all youre armed with is Google, M.D., sussing out whats causing your discomfort can be hard. For starters, stomach pain is a pretty broad description. Are we talking a mild yet persistent twinge or a cramps-that-hurt-so-badly-youre-on-the-floor kind of situation? Then theres the fact that stomach pain can crop up pretty much anywhere in your abdomen, and health issues that cause problems in one part of your belly might not affect others. These seemingly little nuances all matter when it comes to narrowing down what could be behind your stomach pain.
If youre struggling with stomach pain that makes you wonder if you should see a doctor, you probably should. Nothing beats an evaluation from an expert. That said, its understandable that you might want to have some inkling of what may be going on before then. Here are some common types of stomach pain you can experience, plus the health issues that could be behind them.
When Should I See A Gi Doctor
Adults and children see this type of specialist for gut-related symptoms or diseases, such as:
- Trouble swallowing
- Ongoing constipation
- Blood in their stool
Starting at age 50, people with an average risk for colon and rectal cancer may see a GI doc for routine colonoscopies to check for signs of cancer.
If you have certain liver conditions, you may see a hepatologist. Thats a gastroenterologist with special training in liver diseases.
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Are You Suffering From Stomach Problems Whether You Have A Bloated Stomach Or Indigestion The Stomach Specialists At Vanguard Gastroenterology Can Diagnose And Treat Your Ailment For More Information Please Call Us Or Request An Appointment Online We Have Two Locations To Serve You In New York Ny
Stomach problems can be addressed by stomach specialists, and you can find these specialists here at Vanguard Gastroenterology. One of our specialists can see you for a consultation, diagnose your problem with certain tests, and treat the problem with a solution like infusion therapy. Connect with our clinic today to schedule a consultation with us, or keep reading to learn more about seeing a stomach specialist in New York, NY.
You Have Persistent Pain With Chronic Diarrhea Or Constipation
Recurrent abdominal pain, accompanied by diarrhea, constipation, or both, is not necessarily terribly worrisome: These are hallmarks of irritable bowel syndrome , which is unpleasant for many and a true blight for some, but not actually dangerous. The best reason to take these symptoms to a doctor is that they can be managed. If you have diarrhea, we have medication to slow you down, DeVito says. If you have constipation, we have medication to make you go. Your provider can also help you figure out your triggerswhich may be specific foods, like dairy or gluten. Stress is another common trigger clinicians often recommend exercise and mindfulness meditation, among other remedies.
But those common symptoms are not so benign if theyre paired with bloody bowel movements, weight loss, night sweats, or other whole-body symptoms. That set of issues suggests a much more serious condition known as inflammatory bowel disease . Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis, two of the most common forms of IBD, can cause life-threatening complicationsamong other things, they increase the risk of colon cancer. So its important to be under a doctors care.
Good to know: Low-dose antidepressants can be helpful for people with IBS. Thats not necessarily because sufferers are depressed, but because the medications help calm the intestines.
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How Do You Fix Stomach Problems
Your doctor will likely diagnose gastroenteritis based on symptoms, a physical exam and sometimes on the presence of similar cases in your community. A rapid stool test can detect rotavirus or norovirus, but there are no quick tests for other viruses that cause gastroenteritis.
These are the liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines, stomach, pancreas, bladder, gallbladder, appendix, and the abdominal aorta. This aorta is the main blood vessel from your heart to your legs. In women, the exam can also give information about the uterus and ovaries.
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Does A Gastroenterologist Perform Surgery
A Gastroenterologist does not perform surgery. His work is limited to diagnosis and medical treatment. However, under the broad classification of surgery, Gastroenterologists do perform such procedures as liver biopsy and endoscopic examinations of the esophagus, stomach, small and large bowel. Also, the Gastroenterologist frequently works with surgeons before and after an operation in helping select the best operation for a particular patient, and in providing follow-up care relevant to the particular digestive disorder.
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Who To See: Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Best option for: People who favor Eastern medicine who have more general feelings of sluggishness, exhaustion, and improper absorption who haven’t seen relief with the help of other specialists
When to see them: Similar to a nutritionist, if you aren’t having red flag symptoms, you can start by seeing an eastern medicine specialist .
Traditional Chinese Medicine incorporates techniques that have been used as treatment in eastern or Asian culture for centuries, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, and more.
If you can’t find any patterns between your diet and GI issues, or are also grappling with total-body issues like fatigue and strange inflammation, TCM can be helpful as it looks at the body as a whole, explains Jenelle Kim, doctor of Chinese medicine, master herbalist, founder and chief formulator of JBK Wellness Labs.
While TCM has a long proven history behind it, practitioners are often also more expensive they’re usually not covered by insurance and prescribe herbs and supplements that aren’t filled by a pharmacy and, therefore, can be more costly.
What to expect: Your TCM practitioner will analyze how all the systems in your body are working via a traditional pulse and tongue diagnosis, and then go over your chief complaints, history, lifestyle, eating habits, general mental state, and any labs you’ve had run. They may prescribe or perform acupuncture, as well as herbs, supplements, or probiotics to help balance your gut bacteria.
Who To See: Nutritionist
Best option for: People without insurance with Celiac disease who can’t get an appointment with a gastroenterologist soon
When to see them: If a gastroenterologist deems your issues nutritional, they may send you to a nutritionist for ongoing education, particularly if you have Celiac disease. But you can also start here, “especially if you are having uncomfortable bloat, constipation, gas, or diarrhea and don’t want to wait months to get into the gastroenterologist, or are wanting to use a more holistic approach,” says Finley.
If you come to an RD with those red flag symptoms, they’ll likely send you to a gastroenterologist.
What to expect: An RD is going to look at your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle, as well. If you haven’t already had a stool analysis or blood work, they may send you to a physician who can run some lab tests. These tests will look for infections, bacterial overgrowth, digestive insufficiencies, and thyroid, vitamin D, and iron levels, which should pinpoint the problem.
If the issue is non-medical, a nutritionist’s treatment focuses on changing your diet, taking supplements if needed, and shifting your lifestyle to manage stress and get more sleep. This process is quite similar to how a gastroenterologist handles treatment, but with more of a holistic emphasis.
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Signs You Need To See A Gi Doctor
- 7 Signs You Need To See A GI Doctor
What does a gastroenterologist do and how do you know when it’s time to see a gastro doctor? A gastroenterologist is an expert in digestive health and issues related to the stomach, intestines, and bowels, but also includes a number of other organs related to the entire digestive tract.
A lot happens between the time food enters your mouth until it is excreted from your body as waste. Your liver, pancreas, esophagus, and stomach all play a role in the digestive process. Sometimes changes in your digestion may be a minor response to new foods, medications, or stressful situations. Certain symptoms may indicate something more serious that needs to be checked out. How do you know when to see a GI doctor and when to let symptoms pass?
Its always a good idea to get any new symptoms evaluated. Some require faster attention than others. The symptoms below require immediate attention from a GI specialist. Here are 7 signs you need to see a gastroenterologist:
Your First Appointment With A Gastroenterologist: What To Expect
Gastroenterologists are internists or doctors trained in internal medicine who specialize in problems concerning your digestive tract. Some of the most common conditions they deal with are diarrhea, constipation, gastroesophageal reflux , and ulcers.
You may consider consulting with a gastroenterologist if you have symptoms concerning any digestive system structure between the esophagus and rectum. On the first consult, you can expect your doctor to ask questions regarding your symptoms. A physical exam and specialized tests may follow. To help you prepare, lets talk about what you can expect from your first visit.
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