Treatment for Other Gastrointestinal Problems

Abdominal pain is a symptom that can be associated with a variety of acute or chronic gastrointestinal conditions. It can also signify something is wrong with certain internal organs, including the gallbladder, liver, or kidneys.

If you are dealing with lasting abdominal pain that won’t subside with at-home remedies, or if you’re dealing with recurring bouts of abdominal pain that flare up from time to time, schedule an appointment with a GI specialist at Southeastern Gastroenterology.

Anemia is a condition that is caused by a patient’s red blood cell count and hemoglobin production. Red blood cells help supply oxygen to the tissues within the body. Hemoglobin is the protein that transports oxygen from the blood to the body. When the blood does not have enough red blood cells or the cells are not functioning properly, or if the body does not produce enough hemoglobin, the patient will not receive the oxygen they need. As a result, they can experience symptoms like fatigue, physical weakness, dizziness, fainting, breathing difficulties, loss of color in the face or body, and more.

There are several types of anemia a person can suffer from, including:

• Iron deficiency anemia: Too little iron in the body can disrupt hemoglobin production.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia: Too little B12 in the body can interfere with red blood cell production.
• Folate (vitamin B9) deficiency anemia: Too little folate, or folic acid, in the body can interfere with red blood cell production.
• Hemolytic anemia: Hemolytic anemia occurs when autoimmune diseases and genetic disorders prematurely destroy red blood cells.
• Aplastic anemia: Aplastic anemia occurs when bone marrow malfunctions and hinders red blood cell production.
• Chronic disease anemia: Chronic disease anemia describes anemia that arises when chronic conditions like certain cancers, kidney disease, and inflammatory disorders interfere with red blood cell counts or hemoglobin production.
• Microcytic anemia: Microcytic anemia occurs when the red blood cells produced are too small for proper function.
• Macrocytic anemia: Macrocytic anemia occurs when the red blood cells produced are too big for proper function.
• Normocytic anemia: Normocytic anemia occurs when the red blood cells produced are normal-sized but still malfunctioning.

Regardless of your type of anemia, the doctors at Southeastern Gastroenterology can help you treat or manage your condition.

A biliary obstruction is an issue where the bile ducts that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and from the gallbladder to the small intestine become blocked. Depending on the source of the obstruction, patients with biliary obstructions can experience symptoms like:

• Sharp abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Jaundice
• Dark urine
• Pale stools

The most common cause of biliary obstruction is gallstones, but it can also be caused by tumor development in the pancreas, gallbladder, or bile duct, as well as infection, trauma to the area, cyst development, or congenital defects.

Treatment for biliary obstruction can range from gallbladder removal or gallstone dissolving medication to tumor removal or possibly stent surgery.

Bloating occurs when gas buildup in the digestive system causes swelling in the stomach and intestines, leading to general pain and discomfort in the abdominal area or the torso.

Occasional bloating is usually nothing to be concerned about, but excessive bloating can point to more chronic issues like lactose intolerance, celiac disease, IBS, infection, and more. To understand the reason for chronic bloating, it’s important to schedule an appointment with the team at Southeastern Gastroenterology to ensure the cause is minor or to begin treatment for a more serious issue.

The cause for bloody stools or rectal bleeding can range in severity from minor issues like hemorrhoids to more serious conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or colon cancer.

There are also different variations of bloody stools. Bright red stools signify bleeding in the lower digestive tract, while darker blood could indicate bleeding in the upper intestines.

Regardless of what your stools look like, if you notice blood in your stools or rectal bleeding of any kind, schedule an appointment with one of our trusted gastrointestinal doctors in Columbus, GA.

Constipation describes a condition where bowel movements occur too infrequently or are difficult to experience. Many people experience abdominal pain, bloating, and general discomfort when waiting for the body to initiate a bowel movement. When it does, it often involves hard, dry, or lumpy stools that are painful to pass.

Occasional constipation can occur with no concerns. However, frequent constipation can indicate something more serious is going on with the digestive system and GI tract. To understand the reason for frequent or chronic constipation, it’s important to schedule an appointment with the team at Southeastern Gastroenterology to ensure the cause is minor or to begin treatment for a more serious issue.

Diarrhea, or loose and watery stools, can be a frustrating and painful issue to deal with every now and then. However, chronic diarrhea should raise concerns and be addressed to understand the root cause. Diarrhea is often a symptom of more serious conditions like IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, colon cancer, and others. At Southeastern Gastroenterology, our team offers the diagnostics and testing needed to discover why you may be experiencing chronic bouts of diarrhea.

Diverticulosis is a condition where small pouches are formed along the inside lining of the colon. This often develops in people as they age, and it usually does not lead to issues or symptoms. For the most part, patients don’t even know they have formed.

Diverticulitis is a rare condition that occurs if one of the pouches becomes inflamed, develops an infection, or begins to bleed. If left untreated, diverticulitis can escalate into sepsis, which can lead to severe blood loss.

Possible symptoms of diverticulitis include lower abdominal pain, fever, and even fresh blood in the stool. If the patient also has IBS or IBD, they may experience pain or bloating when waste passes through. Constipation can make the pain even worse.

If these symptoms sound familiar, schedule an appointment with the gastrointestinal doctors at Southeastern Gastroenterology for thorough testing and diagnosis.

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a condition in which the muscles and nerves that control swallowing malfunction. This can lead to issues when swallowing food or beverages, making it painful or downright impossible to eat, drink, or even swallow saliva.

Dysphagia is often associated with stroke, but it can also be caused by issues with the esophagus. If you have esophageal dysphagia, the gastroenterologists at Southeastern Gastroenterology can offer the diagnosis and treatments needed to help you regain more comfortable swallowing.

Encopresis is a type of fecal incontinence that can affect adults or children who are potty trained or older than four years old. Those with encopresis repeatedly, uncontrollably, or involuntarily pass stools, soiling underwear, and other articles of clothing.

In most cases, encopresis is a side effect of chronic constipation where hardened stools sit in the rectum for too long, causing looser stools to leak down and out of the anus.

If you, your child, or an adult loved one is struggling with encopresis, talk to the GI doctors at Southeastern Gastroenterology for treatment and solutions that can stop it and usher in a fresher, cleaner day.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a condition where the esophagus is chronically inflamed, leading to difficulty swallowing, frequent regurgitation, chest pain, abdominal pain, and more.

While still not much is known about EoE, experts believe it is an immune system issue that can be tied to genetics, food allergies, environmental allergies, or chronic acid reflux.

The gastroenterology specialists at Southeastern Gastroenterology can diagnose, treat, and, in some cases, reverse EoE and its frustrating symptoms.

The gallbladder is a small organ attached to the liver that stores and distributes bile needed to break down fatty foods. It’s not a necessary organ, but it does need to function properly to prevent painful or troublesome issues with the body.

If the gallbladder malfunctions, it can do so in a number of ways:

• Cholecystitis (inflammation): Gallbladder inflammation can occur when a gallstone blocks the cystic duct, which carries bile stored in the gallbladder. Symptoms can include severe, sharp pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and even fever.
• Acalculous cholecystitis: Sometimes, the gallbladder becomes inflamed without gallstones present. This occurs after trauma to the gallstone or infection.
• Cholelithiasis (gallstones): Bile components can form hard deposits in the gallbladder that can block ducts and prevent the flow of bile. Blockage can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
• Choledocholithiasis (common bile duct blockage): If a gallstone blocks the common bile duct, it can lead to jaundice, abdominal pain, and/or pancreatitis.
• Polyps: Benign growths can form in the gallbladder. In rare cases, polyps can become cancerous.

Or GI doctors offer the medication or surgical solutions needed to stop gallbladder pain for good.

Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed. Causes can range from infection to trauma, alcohol misuse, excessive use of NSAIDs, stress, autoimmune issues, and more.

Gastritis is extremely common. Anyone who has ever experienced an upset stomach has experienced acute gastritis. Some may suffer from chronic gastritis, with stomach pain that lasts for weeks at a time.

No matter the cause, the stomach doctors at Southeastern Gastroenterology can provide the treatments needed to settle the stomach pain and bring relief.

Hemorrhoids are swollen anal and rectal veins that can cause itchiness, rectal discomfort, and rectal bleeding whenever they flare up. Hemorrhoids are common, with more than three million reported cases a year, and are typically caused by straining during a bowel movement, sitting on the toilet for too long, lifting heavy items frequently, carrying excessive weight on the body, or being pregnant.

In some cases, hemorrhoids fade away on their own. However, the team at Southeastern Gastroenterology can suggest medications or even medical or surgical solutions to treat hemorrhoids and bring relief.

Hepatitis is a condition that causes liver inflammation, which in turn causes symptoms like jaundice, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, dark urine, pale stools, joint pain, and itchy skin.

There are three types of Hepatitis: A, B, and C.

• Hepatitis A: An acute form of hepatitis that is primarily spread through food or water contamination or being in close proximity to an infected person.
• Hepatitis B: An acute or chronic form of hepatitis that is primarily spread through sexual contact or contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids.
• Hepatitis C: A chronic form of hepatitis that is primarily spread through blood-to-blood contact. It is most commonly spread by sharing needles or sharing razors.

Southeastern Gastroenterology can diagnose, treat, and help manage hepatitis infections, regardless of their type.

A hiatal hernia develops in the upper part of the stomach. In most cases, the hernia will bulge out through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity, sometimes causing symptoms like chronic acid reflux, indigestion, regurgitation, and chest pain. Some patients do not experience any symptoms, while others may experience more severe symptoms like darkened stools, breathing troubles, radiating pain, vomiting, and even sensations of choking.

Factors that can lead to the development of a hiatal hernia include older age, excessive coughing or sneezing, trauma to the stomach or chest, diaphragm weakness, pregnancy, obesity, frequent heavy lifting, smoking, and overuse of certain medications.

Hiatal hernias can be treated with lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes surgery, all of which your GI doctor at Southeastern Gastroenterology can provide.

Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, is a bacterium that attacks the stomach lining during infection. Many people in the United States have or have had an H. pylori infection—in fact, it is one of the most common causes of stomach ulcers and gastritis in adults.

In many cases, those infected do not have any symptoms. Others may experience symptoms like stomach and abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

H. pylori is a bacterium that can live in a person’s stomach for the rest of their life if left untreated. However, it is highly treatable with a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

If you suspect H. pylori infection, turn to the stomach doctors at Southeastern Gastroenterology for diagnosis and effective treatment.

Lactose intolerance is a condition where a person does not have enough lactase enzymes to break down lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products.

Lactose intolerance is primarily a genetic or hereditary issue that can appear at any point in a person’s life, from childhood to well into adulthood. Symptoms of lactose intolerance commonly include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, excessive gas, and bloating after consuming milk or dairy.

At Southeastern Gastroenterology, we offer lactose-intolerant patients the education needed to understand their condition and supplements that can help them digest products containing lactose.

The liver is a crucial organ that helps detoxify the body, metabolize nutrients, produce bile for digestion, and store energy. It is also susceptible to damage or malfunction due to a variety of liver diseases.

Liver-related issues can include:

• Alcoholic liver disease: Too much alcohol consumption can damage the liver and lead to chronic inflammation, fibrosis, or cirrhosis.
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Rather than damage from too much alcohol, damage is caused by too much fat that builds up on the liver. NAFLD typically arises because of obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and/or diabetes. Symptoms of NAFLD can include fatigue, abdominal pain, and liver enlargement—however, not all patients experience symptoms.
• Hepatitis: Hepatitis A, B, and C all cause inflammation of the liver, which can lead to additional symptoms like jaundice, nausea, vomiting, urinary and fecal discoloration, joint pain, and more.
• Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC): PBC is a condition in which the body attacks the liver’s bile ducts, leading to inflammation (hepatitis) and tissue scarring (cirrhosis). Experts believe PBC to be an autoimmune disorder. Symptoms of PBC include abdominal pain, jaundice, liver enlargement, fatigue, joint pain, dry eyes and mouth, and more.
• Liver cancer: Liver cancer can either spread to the liver or form in the liver as a result of liver disease, genetic predisposition, diabetes, lifestyle factors (like poor diet, smoking, and alcohol misuse), and environmental factors (like chemical exposure and exposure to heavy metals). Liver cancer is often asymptomatic, but signs can include fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and unexplained weight loss.

Patients with liver disease or those experiencing symptoms common with liver issues can turn to the gastrointestinal doctors at Southeastern Gastroenterology for effective liver care, treatment, and management.

The pancreas is a large gland that sits behind the stomach and in front of the spine and plays a role in enzyme production, hormone regulation, and metabolism regulation. Sometimes, disease or other conditions disrupt the function of the pancreas, leading to painful or troublesome complications.

Common pancreas diseases include:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation): Pancreatitis is either acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas.
  • Acute pancreatitis is often caused by gallstones, alcohol misuse, and certain medications. Patients with acute pancreatitis can experience severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, infection, kidney failure, and more.
  • Chronic pancreatitis is often caused by prolonged alcohol misuse, gallstones, genetic issues, or autoimmune disorders. Patients with chronic pancreatitis can experience chronic pain in the abdomen and other areas, diabetes, weight loss, malnutrition, and pancreatic cancer.
• Pancreatic cysts: Pancreatic cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in the pancreas. Sometimes, they can be traced back to pancreatitis, but in other cases, they develop with no known cause. Most cysts are benign and asymptomatic, but others may be precancerous or cancerous.
• Pancreatic cancer: Pancreatic cancer can spread to the pancreas or form in the pancreas due to chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, genetic disorders, lifestyle factors (like poor diet, smoking, and alcohol misuse), environmental factors (like chemical exposure and exposure to heavy metals), and more. Signs of pancreatic cancer include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, indigestion, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.

Patients with pancreatic diseases or those experiencing symptoms common with pancreas issues can turn to the gastrointestinal doctors at Southeastern Gastroenterology for effective care, treatment, and management.

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach or the higher end of the upper intestines (close to the stomach). There are several reasons that someone may develop peptic ulcers in the stomach, including H. pylori infection, excessive stomach acid production, and frequent ingestion of NSAIDs.

Symptoms of stomach ulcers can include burning pain in the stomach or upper abdomen between meals, indigestion, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, a person may also notice tarry or black stools.

Peptic ulcers are treatable with exceptional care from the team at Southeastern Gastroenterology.