Gastrointestinal Disorders Treatment in College Park, MD
Gastrointestinal disorders affect the GI system, which extends from the mouth to the anus. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, indigestion, colon cancer, and hemorrhoids are all common GI illnesses. At Express Healthcare, we are dedicated to providing you with all of your gastrointestinal treatment needs. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 4701 Melbourne Place College Park, MD 20740.
Table of Contents:
What are the Common Symptoms of a Gastrointestinal Disorder?
What can Cause Gastrointestinal Disorders?
How do you Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders?
What foods should you avoid if you have Gastrointestinal Problems?
The gastrointestinal tract, also known as the GI tract, is a complex group of organs that help the body absorb nutrients from food and excrete waste from the body. These organs include the stomach, small intestine and large intestine, which all work to help the body digest food. Gastrointestinal disorders have a variety of causes, from poor eating to lack of exercise to complications from other pre-existing conditions.
Gastrointestinal symptoms can vary in severity, from mild and innocuous to serious and completely debilitating. Common symptoms of a GI disorder include:
– Heartburn: If heartburn is experienced more than twice a week, it might be due to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). If left untreated over time, stomach acid can damage the esophagus and lead to complications, including esophageal cancer.
– Nausea & Vomiting: Nausea is a common symptom, and could be the result of anything from allergies to an infection. When vomiting is experienced alongside nausea, it could indicate several GI disorders, including pancreatitis, appendicitis, diverticulitis,Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), or an intestinal blockage.
– Abdominal Pain: Most digestive disorders include abdominal pain as a symptom, so it is important to see a physician if experiencing persistent abdominal pain. This could signal irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an ulcer, or diverticulitis, among others.
– Bloating & Excess Gas: Bloating could be a sign of several gastrointestinal disorders, such as IBS or a food intolerance, including lactose intolerance or Celiac disease.
– Constipation: Defined as having less than 3 bowel movements a week or passing hard, dry stool, constipation can be caused by several digestive diseases, like IBS with constipation. Chronic constipation is also a recognized GI disorder and can be an issue on its own.
– Diarrhea: If diarrhea lasts longer than a day or two, it is considered chronic and could signify a digestive disorder, such as lactose intolerance or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Gastrointestinal disorders have a diverse set of causes, including:
– Eating a diet low in fiber
– Not getting enough exercise
– Traveling or other changes in routine
– Eating large amounts of dairy products
– Stress
– Resisting the urge to pass a stool
– Overusing anti-diarrheal medications
– Taking antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum
– Taking certain medicines, including iron supplements, antidepressants, and strong pain medicines
– Pregnancy
There are many other causes of GI disorders, which can range in severity.
The treatment for gastrointestinal disorders varies from one patient to the next and depends on several factors, including:
– The type of gastrointestinal disorder
– The severity of the GI disorder
– What organs are affected
– If previous treatments failed to provide relief
– The duration of symptoms
In many cases, GI disorders are treated with dietary changes and medications to ease symptoms. For more complex cases, interventional methods may be implemented that can range from minimally invasive procedures to surgical ones.
There are many types of food that can cause or exacerbate GI problems, including:
– Dairy Products
– Acidic Foods
– Fatty Foods
– Fried Foods
– Processed Foods
– Artificial Sweetener
– Alcohol
– Caffeine
– Sweet or Salty Foods
– Spoiled Foods
– Spicy Foods
Our kind and compassionate professionals are experienced in treating GI disorders and can help you improve your digestive health. Call us today to book an appointment for GI disorders treatment, or visit us. We look forward to serving you! We serve patients from College Park MD, New Carrollton MD, Berwyn Heights MD, White Oak MD, Seabrook MD, Laurel MD, Springdale MD, Mitchellville MD and surrounding areas.
When you have heartburn and acid reflux, your lower esophageal sphincter opens when it shouldn’t. This causes acid from your stomach to wash back up into your esophagus.
Over time, the constant backwash of stomach acid can irritate and damage your esophagus. If this happens, it can lead to complications like swelling or narrowing of your esophagus. If you have acid reflux disease and your symptoms like chest pain, acid taste in your mouth or burning in the back of your throat come back or get worse, it could be a sign that your treatment need to be adjusted.
In Express Urgent Care clinic, we have physicians expert in gastrointestinal disorders. We have many diagnostic tools help us to reach the diagnosis of your problem.
Our services include:
– Laboratory and screening tests
– Ultrasonography
– H-Pylori Breath Test
When you have acid reflux, this means that something in your body isn’t working the way it should. For example, your lower esophageal sphincter might be weak or something could be putting extra pressure on your stomach.
A weakened lower esophageal sphincter can be a result of:
– Drinking Alcohol
– Smoking
– Eating certain foods like foods high in fat.
– Extra pressure on your stomach can be caused by:
– Eating large meals
– Wearing tightly fitting clothes
– Pregnancy
– Being overweight
Ask our doctors how can you change your lifestyle and how eat smaller meals. Ask how to control your weight because carrying extra pounds puts pressure on your stomach. In our offices, we have certain methods that can help you lose weight.
Express Healthcare is a walk-in urgent care clinic located at 4701 Melbourne Place College Park, MD 20740. Talk to us today if you have any symptoms.
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