Gastroenterologist

Conditions Treated

• •GERD (Acid Reflux) — Chronic backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus, causing heartburn and chest pain.
• •Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) — Functional disorder causing abdominal pain with altered bowel habits. No structural damage but significant discomfort.
• •Peptic Ulcer Disease — Sores in the stomach or duodenum lining, often caused by H. pylori bacteria or painkillers (NSAIDs).
• •Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) — Fat accumulation in liver cells, increasingly common in urban India due to diet and sedentary lifestyle.
• •Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) — Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract — includes Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
• •Gallstones — Hard deposits in the gallbladder causing pain, especially after fatty meals. Very common in North India.

Health Tips

• •Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of 2-3 large ones
• •Don't lie down within 2 hours of eating
• •Increase fibre intake gradually
• •Stay hydrated — 2-3 litres of water daily
• •Limit alcohol and avoid binge drinking
• •Don't ignore persistent digestive symptoms

How to Prepare for Your Visit

• •Keep a food diary for 1-2 weeks noting what you eat and symptoms that follow
• •Bring all recent blood reports, ultrasound reports, and previous endoscopy reports
• •List all medications including antacids, painkillers, and supplements
• •Note stool patterns — frequency, consistency, colour, and any blood
• •Describe symptoms precisely — location, timing, relation to meals, what helps
• •Mention alcohol consumption honestly — it directly affects liver health
• •Ask about dietary modifications specific to your condition
• •Discuss if you need any procedures and what preparation they require
• •Follow dietary advice strictly for at least 4-6 weeks before judging results
• •Complete full course of antibiotics if prescribed for H. pylori
• •Schedule follow-up tests as recommended
• •Avoid self-medicating with antacids long-term — they can mask serious conditions

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• •Do I need an endoscopy or colonoscopy?
• •Is my liver condition reversible?
• •What dietary changes will help my condition?
• •How long do I need to take this medication?
• •Should I be screened for colon cancer?
• •Is my condition related to stress?

When to See a Specialist

A Gastroenterologist specializes in disorders of the digestive system — oesophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. See one when digestive symptoms persist despite GP treatment.

• •Persistent acidity or heartburn not relieved by antacids
• •Difficulty swallowing food or sensation of food getting stuck
• •Blood in stool or black-coloured stools
• •Chronic diarrhoea or constipation lasting more than 4 weeks
• •Unexplained abdominal pain lasting more than 2 weeks
• •Jaundice — yellow eyes/skin
• •Abnormal liver function tests
• •Unexplained weight loss with digestive symptoms
• •Family history of colon cancer — screening needed

Seek emergency care for vomiting blood, severe abdominal pain with fever, or complete inability to pass stool or gas.