The digestive system breaks down the food you eat into the simpler forms of nutrients which your body can absorb to satisfy your body needs. It's very important to look after the health of your GIT (Gastrointestinal tract) as any negligence may lead to serious disorders at times. The food that you eat and your lifestyle have a direct impact on your digestive health. So, it's very important to look after the lifestyle and the proper diet.

What are gastrointestinal diseases?

Gastrointestinal disease can affect the GI tract from the mouth to the anus. A few of the common symptoms of GIT diseases are nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, bleeding, difficulty in swallowing, etc.

Factors upsetting GI tract:

Many factors may lead to abnormalities in the GI tract, some of these are: Eating a low fibre diet for long, lack of daily exercise, utilising large amounts of dairy products, stress, excess use of antidiarrheal medicines, taking antacid medicines often, pregnancy, resisting the urge to bowel movement, and many more. Many factors can lead to problems during digestion. Pain in the belly is the warning signal. Bloating, gas and diarrhoea are some other reasons to see a gastroenterologist.

When to visit a gastroenterologist?

Gastroenterologists are trained to diagnose and treat problems related to your gastrointestinal (GI) tract and liver. These doctors also do routine procedures such as colonoscopies, to look at the inside of your colon.

They are trained to treat the conditions that may affect the organs of the digestive tract, including the oesophagus, stomach, colon, pancreas and liver. If you notice any disturbances as mentioned herewith, it is time to visit them for consultations and treatment.

Heartburn: It is the pain or burning sensation in the chest or throat. It is the result of excess acid formation in the stomach which backs up into the oesophagus. It can be treated with proper eating habits and some medicines. Proper diagnosis is a must.

Gallstones: These are small and hard nuggets like structures that form in the gallbladder. It can be as small as a particle of sand or sometimes as big as a golf ball. Some patients may have a single big one but others may have small multiple stones. A large gallstone may lead to sudden abdominal pain. Obese people and pregnant women are more likely to have these. It can be decided after a thorough check-up whether the medication will dissolve these gallstones or it may require a surgical intervention

Lactose Intolerance: Some people get uncomfortable after drinking milk or eating any other dairy product like cheese, yoghurt, etc. They cannot digest the protein lactose present in such products. A gastroenterologist can check and do the tests for lactose intolerance and can proceed with the treatment which may include a few medicines and changes in diet pattern.

If you have any symptoms that bother you or any adverse health condition, you can visit HJ Hospitals in Congo for expert advice and treatment. The facility is fully equipped by a team of expert gastroenterologists to take care of your complete health and well-being. Contact us now for a regular full body checkup or schedule an appointment with a gastro practitioner to best prevent the issue from developing in the future.