Gastroenterologists specialize in diseases affecting the digestive system. Also known as the gastrointestinal or GI tract, this organ system is comprised of the esophagus, the stomach, the small and large intestines, and the biliary system. Afflictions such as colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, and liver cancer; gallbladder diseases; inflammation or bleeding in the digestive tract; malabsorption disorders such as lactose intolerance and celiac disease; and such regular occurrences as stomach aches, constipation and diarrhea, and difficulty swallowing can all be treated by a Gastroenterology Doctor in Hattiesburg MS.
Your primary care physician will refer you to a gastroenterologist if you are experiencing painful or uncomfortable GI symptoms. This specialist can help you find relief from the heartburn, bloating, and difficulty swallowing that accompany acid reflux disease. He or she can diagnose the cause of unintended weight loss, abdominal, and rectal bleeding, or unexpected changes in bowel habits. And you can have your diagnostic colonoscopies and endoscopies performed in a safe and comfortable environment.
Many of the diseases affecting the GI tract are quite uncomfortable and painful, and seeking medical help for afflictions of the digestive system can seem intimidating or even embarrassing, but GI doctors treat patients with your symptoms all the time. They have undergone years of extensive training to be able to professionally and compassionately handle all varieties of digestive and esophageal complications. You should never have to suffer your symptoms in silence.
In many cases, putting off treatment can be detrimental and even dangerous. Cancers of the GI tract are generally treatable if caught at an early stage, but if allowed to progress unchecked they can be fatal. And even less serious medical conditions can cause lasting harm without medical intervention. Diagnosis of diseases like lactose intolerance and gastric reflux can be accomplished right in the office via non-invasive procedures, and gaining a better understanding of your personal digestive system can help you to make dietary and lifestyle choices that can significantly reduce your discomfort.
Contact Hattiesburg GI Associates for a consultation with a Gastroenterology Doctor in Hattiesburg MS who can help you treat or manage your GI symptoms today.
