What Should I do If My Digestive System Isn’t Doing Too Good?
It probably never occurred to you to ask the question “who is the best gastroenterologist near me” until you started to have symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease or GIRD. This condition occurs when acidic digestive juices travel upwards into the esophagus. The condition may be caused by a malfunction in the valve between your stomach and the food pipe that carries food from your mouth into your stomach. If left untreated, GIRD can result in minor or major heartburn and serious tissue damage.
You may be at higher risk for GIRD of you are overweight, pregnant, taking certain medications or are a smoker and/or are exposed to second-hand smoke. It is important to seek medical treatment for GIRD because it can lead to even more serious problems such as inflammation or narrowing of the esophagus, esophageal cancer and respiratory problems such as asthma and pneumonia if left untreated.
Once you answer the question of who is the best gastroenterologist near me, you can make an appointment and obtain a diagnosis that can confirm that you have GIRD or perhaps point to another cause for your symptoms. The GI doctor will conduct one or more specialized tests to determine the nature and severity of your condition. Once diagnosed, the doctor will make recommendations of lifestyle changes, medications or procedures that can minimize or cure your GIRD. The most common types of medications are called proton pump inhibitors. They lower the amount of acid produced by the stomach. If lifestyle and pharmaceutical solutions prove to be ineffective, your gastroenterologist might discuss surgery.
You shouldn’t suffer through the incessant discomfort of GIRD. Doing so may have serious and even severe consequences to your overall health. Talk to a gastroenterologist as soon as possible to get the treatment you need.… Read the rest