According to intensive study and research, about 60 to 70 million people are diagnosed with primary digestive diseases every year, out of which 7.9 million cases are emergencies. In 2009, the mortality rate of digestive diseases was 245,921 deaths in the USA alone. And the number has gone up significantly. Though the medical world has made phenomenal advances over the last few decades, diseases related to gastroenterology have been quite a headache for doctors all around the world.

The primary reason for this is the ignorance of people. Most of the people don’t realize their problems early on, and when they do, everything seems to be too little too late. As morbid as it sounds, this is fact!

An Instance When It Was Too Late

A man complained of stomach aches for months, which was combined with other symptoms like loss of appetite, massive weight loss, bloating, diarrhea and even blood in the stool. He ignored it for months, till the dull ache in the middle of his stomach became unbearable. He had to be rushed to the ER, where after several tests, the doctor diagnosed him with stomach cancer. This is a typical case which shows not getting treatment on time can be fatal, life-threatening.

What Are The Types Of Gastroenterology Diseases?

Gastroenterology is a broad branch of medicine which includes ailments of the entire digestive system. The most common diseases can be summarized as follows:

Acid reflux

Crohn’s Disease

Cirrhosis of liver

Colon cancer

Constipation

Diarrhea

Esophageal cancer

Gas

Hemorrhoids

Hepatitis C

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Lactose Intolerance

Pancreatitis

Stomach cancer

How To Be Sure When To Visit The Doctor?

Any kinds of discomfort in your digestive organs, from your mouth to your anus, visit the doctor. If you see blood in the stool or vomit, you should get checked. Loss of appetite, sudden weight loss, bloating without consuming food and sharp and chronic pain in the stomach are also common symptoms of digestive diseases. Based in North Carolina gastroenterology doctors, however, want you to note that not all gastroenterology issues lead to cancer or other deadly condition. Some may be just as minor as an acid reflux which can be fixed with over the counter medicines! Sure it can be uncomfortable, but with regular checkups and seeking treatment at the right time, you can prevent terminal diseases from spreading.

What Are The Types Of Procedures Performed To Diagnose Gastroenterology Diseases?

The digestive tract consists of all the organs right from your mouth to your anus. The origin of the problem can be anywhere, and different procedures are undertaken by the doctors to diagnose the issue.

GI endoscopy is for testing the esophagus, stomach and the upper part of the small intestine.

is for testing the esophagus, stomach and the upper part of the small intestine. Colonoscopy is performed for the examination of the large intestine (colon).

Enteroscopy is used for the inner depths of the small intestine.

Infra-red coagulation therapy(IRC) is a non-surgical treatment of hemorrhoids.

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is performed to look inside the last portion of the colon and rectum.

X-rays of the abdomen are also performed to detect problems with the stomach.

Blood tests are also a common detection procedure.

Extraction of the liver is also done to diagnose cirrhosis of the liver.

All the above-mentioned procedures are safely performed by medical experts, using proper supervision.

Thus, if you have undetected health issues, it is always advisable to visit the doctor for a proper checkup. A renowned gastroenterologist, Dr. Kurt Vernon is here to help patients by diagnosing their ailments and properly treating them. He believes in personalized care with a motto that states, “Compassionate, convenient, healthcare”. With over 90% of patients coming to him on referral, he combines his 20 years of experience with the latest equipment to treat them. Dr. Vernon has acquired his degrees from the top institutions in the USA and has a staggering number of successes, which further makes him reliable. His caring attitude and friendly demeanor have helped him earn a reputation in the medical world.

So why suffer? Don’t fall a victim to ignorance. Get treated for gastroenterology diseases on time and live a long and happy life.