First and foremost, go see a gastrointestinal specialist if you have different symptoms and think you may have or know you have a problem with your digestive system, like a stomach problem. You might have gastrointestinal disorders if you are experiencing:

• Minor abdominal pain
• Unexplainable difficulty swallowing
• Unexplainable blood in your stool
• A problem with digesting food properly
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Bleeding
• Bloating
• Incontinence

Also, if you’re 50 years old or older, it could be time to start seeing a specialist or doctor regularly about your digestive system, as men and women at this age have a higher risk of getting colon cancer. A specialist or doctor can provide or refer you for regular colon cancer screenings.

This kind of doctor is called a gastroenterologist. This medical professional can screen for and treat different issues and conditions of the digestive system. Issues like acid reflux, hemorrhoids, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hepatitis C, polyps, jaundice, pancreatitis, and colon cancer can be addressed by a gastroenterologist. Services like endoscopies and others can help a professional address such issues.

To diagnose a gastrointestinal issue or disorder, a professional will ask you about your symptoms and recent activities, among other things. Certain tests, like endoscopies, colonoscopies, or biopsies, can help with diagnosis.

To treat a gastrointestinal issue or disorder, a professional may:

• Recommend resting and drinking plenty of fluids
• Suggest following a short-term diet of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, all of which are easy on the stomach (the professional may also suggest avoiding dairy, grease, and spices which can aggravate the digestive system)
• Recommend an over-the-counter medication, like a laxative for constipation
• Prescribe a medication to help control symptoms like nausea
• Suggest ways of rehydrating your body, such as IV therapy

Treatment will vary based on the specific diagnosis.

We likely do! Dr. Alfred Johnson M.D is near you, you can check out our page for the location in your area, its address, and its contact information, then call us. For more information, call us or schedule an appointment. We are conveniently located at 240 East 13th Street Merced, CA 95341. We serve patients from Merced CA, Atwater CA, Winton CA, Bear Creek CA, Planada CA, Le Grand CA, and Athlone CA.We look forward to serving you soon!