Question 1

What conditions does medical gastroenterology treat?

Accepted Answer

Medical gastroenterology treats digestive system conditions in adults using non-surgical, medical management, including acid reflux (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), liver disease, peptic ulcers, and chronic constipation or diarrhoea. Gastroenterologists also perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures like endoscopy and colonoscopy, bridging medical management with procedural expertise for a comprehensive approach to digestive health.

Question 2

What is the difference between GERD and a normal occasional case of heartburn?

Accepted Answer

Occasional heartburn after a heavy or spicy meal is common and generally not a cause for concern. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) refers to more frequent, persistent acid reflux, generally occurring more than twice a week, that can cause ongoing symptoms and, over time, potentially damage the oesophagus if untreated. If you're experiencing frequent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or needing to regularly use over-the-counter antacids, it's worth seeing a gastroenterologist rather than continuing to self-manage indefinitely.

Question 3

How is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diagnosed and managed?

Accepted Answer

IBS is generally diagnosed based on a characteristic pattern of symptoms, including abdominal pain associated with changes in bowel habits, after ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms through appropriate testing. Management typically combines dietary adjustments, such as identifying and reducing specific trigger foods, sometimes using a structured elimination approach like the low-FODMAP diet, along with medications targeted at specific symptoms like pain, diarrhoea or constipation, and stress management, since stress can significantly influence IBS symptoms for many people.

Question 4

When is a colonoscopy recommended, and how often?

Accepted Answer

Routine colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy is generally recommended starting around age 45-50 for average-risk individuals, and repeated every ten years if results are normal, though this can vary based on individual risk factors and specific findings. A colonoscopy may also be recommended sooner or more frequently if you have symptoms like rectal bleeding, unexplained changes in bowel habits, a family history of colorectal cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease requiring more frequent monitoring.

Question 5

What digestive symptoms warrant prompt gastroenterology evaluation?

Accepted Answer

See a gastroenterologist promptly for symptoms like unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool or vomit, difficulty swallowing, persistent abdominal pain, a significant change in bowel habits lasting more than a few weeks, or iron deficiency anaemia without an obvious cause. These can be signs of conditions ranging from ulcers to inflammatory bowel disease to, less commonly, colorectal cancer, all of which benefit from timely evaluation rather than prolonged self-management.

Medical Gastroenterology