With so many good food offered around Singapore, people often times do not think twice about what they eat as long as their palate is satisfied with something delicious. But did you know that mindless eating increases our risk of developing conditions or diseases that impairs the proper functions of our body? We should be putting importance on keeping our digestive system healthy and one way to do this is by visiting a gastroscopy clinic (https://gastrohealth.com.sg/services/gastroscopy-singapore/) in Singapore.
What is a gastroscopy clinic?
A gastroscopy clinic is a facility that provides various tests and procedures focusing on the gastrointestinal system of the body in order to diagnose and provide treatment for disorders and diseases that affect any of its parts.
When visiting an gastroscopy clinic, you will be acquainted with a gastroenterologist. A gastroenterologist is a specialist that is an expert on everything about the digestive system. Getting a consultation to check the function of your gastrointestinal tract means examining the health of the following organs:
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
- Rectum
- Anus
- Bile ducts
- Gallbladder
- Liver
- Pancreas
Why do you need to visit a gastroscopy clinic?
In general, doctors recommend that adults visit a gastroscopy clinic once they have reached the age of 50 as this is the period in life when the risk becomes higher for men and women to develop colon cancer. However, if you have a family history of colon cancer, getting examined by a gastroenterologist at an earlier age for preventive care is advised.
Of course one should not wait to turn 50 years old before consulting with a gastroenterologist. A number of gut-related issues abound and if ever you are bothered with symptoms, it is best that you set an appointment with a gastro specialist to help solve the issue with your digestive system. See a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Bloating
- Blood in the stool
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Difficulty swallowing
- Frequent heartburn
- Extreme abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight loss
Bloating. A feeling of tightness in the abdominal area may be caused by certain conditions, like constipation, that cause gas to build up and be trapped in the colon. Likewise, bloating can also be a result of being hypersensitive to some food, like being lactose intolerant, or other conditions, such as:
- Gastroparesis
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Blood in the stool. Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool may be indicative of a disorder affecting the rectum called hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can be treated using over-the-counter medications, but if your condition does not get better after some time, your doctor may recommend a different treatment. While rectal bleeding is not usually a major concern, its occurrence can also be a warning that colorectal cancer is present. If you notice blood as you flush or on the toilet paper followed by other symptoms like changes in the consistency, color, or even habits of your bowel movement, consider consulting with a gastroenterologist.
Chronic diarrhea. Being hypersensitive to food, developing an infection, or adverse reactions to certain medicines can give you diarrhea. Although if you’ve had several trips to the loo that is more than you can handle in a day and the consistency of your bowel is more liquid than what it is normally meant to be, then you should get your gut checked at a gastroscopy clinic. Chronic diarrhea can be s symptom of some disorders affecting the digestive tract, such as:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Constipation. There is more to constipation than just having difficulty to pass bowel due to its being hard in consistency. You can also suffer from this condition when your bowel movement is small and you bowel habits happen less than three times each week.
Difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia is a condition that is identified by difficulty in or the presence of pain when swallowing. Undergoing an assessment in a gastroscopy clinic can rule out sever medical conditions like esophageal cancer. Other symptoms of dysphagia include:
- Choking or coughing when swallowing
- Feeling that something is stuck in the chest or throat
- Inability to chew food normally
- Regurgitation of food
Frequent heartburn. Feeling a heartburn from time to time should not cause you any concern, but one that is persistent and extreme should sound the alarm for your to call and set an appointment with a gastroenterologist. If your heartburn happens more than twice in a week, this can be a sign of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This condition happens when the acid in the stomach gets into the esophagus, leading to discomfort and a burning feeling.
Extreme abdominal pain. Experiencing stomach aches is a common occurrence, but one that comes suddenly and causes intense pain that may last for hours is definitely out of the ordinary. This may be a symptom of an underlying condition or disease, such as:
- Gallstones
- Liver disease
- Pancreatitis
- Peptic ulcer
- Stomach ulcer
Unexplained weight loss. Sudden loss of body weight without having any changes done to your eating habits or lifestyle may indicate medical issue. Some conditions or diseases that cause weight loss include:
- Cancer
- Celiac disease
- Crohn’s disease
What should you expect during your initial appointment at a gastroscopy clinic?
Feeling nervous about your initial appointment at a gastroscopy clinic is normal and understandable. Here are some insights on what to expect to put your mind at ease:
- Your doctor will perform a physical check up
- Your doctor will inquire about your personal and family’s medical history
- Your doctor will ask about the symptoms that you are feeling
- Your doctor will recommend treatment, lifestyle changes, and prescribe medications to alleviate your symptoms
- Your doctor will discuss further tests or procedures that may be needed to accurately diagnose your condition
It is important that you come prepared to answer your doctor’s questions. Keep a list of all the symptoms that you are experiencing and how often they happen, if possible. Also, do not hesitate to ask your questions or air out your concerns during your initial appointment.
Gastrohealth Clinic – Dr Bhavesh Doshi | Gastroenterologist | Colonoscopy Singapore
6A Napier Rd, #03-370 Gleneagles Hospital Annexe Block, Singapore 258500
+65 6355 5773
https://gastrohealth.com.sg/
