Many people live an unfortunate daily reality of choosing to cope with serious stomach or esophageal discomfort because they don't have the information necessary to seek out the treatment they need. A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in maladies of the gastrointestinal tract and your other digestive organs, and if you have significant discomfort in your digestion process, you should seek treatment.
Below, you'll find a guide to some questions you should ask your gastroenterologist. Having the answers to these questions can allow you to significantly reduce your anxiety about potential care and can allow you to head directly down path toward a comfortable life with good digestive health.
How does family history affect me?
Potential issues in your gastrointestinal tract often spring from hereditary issues like many other illnesses do. However, because people tend to be less forthcoming about their digestive problems than other medical problems, you may not even be aware of your family history, if it even exists.
You should feel free to ask your doctor questions about the signs to look for in people close to you. You should also ask what types of things may suggest a family history of gastrointestinal problems. Having those answers will allow you to provide your doctor with a more thorough medical history and can present the opportunity to develop a more robust treatment plan.
What kind of procedures will I be facing?
Some people hesitate to seek gastrointestinal care because they have a poor understanding of the methods used to treat issues. The procedures involved can seem intimidating if you're not informed, and some people learn to cope with discomfort for fear of something they may not fully appreciate.
Your gastroenterologist will be able to walk you through common treatment options and tell you what to expect from procedures such as motility tests and GI procedures. This information is likely to significantly calm your concerns and put you in a position to be willing to seek out whatever care your doctor believes is best.
What should I eat?
Obviously, maladies of the digestive tract can be exacerbated or possibly relieved by the choices you make in your dietary habits. Different gastrointestinal issues require different dietary treatments, and without knowing which is correct for you, you can actually make small problems more serious. Your doctor will be able to talk to you about the ways in which your diet is affecting your particular medical situation, and with this information in mind, you can design a dietary plan that will promote much healthier habits. For more information, find a gastroenterologist in your area.
Share8 April 2015
