Stomach and intestinal issues are often not a reason for concern. Sometimes, treating these issues only requires a change in diet or some daily medication. However, more serious gastroenterology issues require surgery as the best treatment option. So, what are the most common stomach and bowel problems that require surgery? Here is a list of some of the more serious conditions.

 Gastroenterologist Issues That Require Surgery

A gastroenterologist is a doctor specializing in disorders of the digestive tract. The digestive tract includes the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Understandably, surgery is an option for serious gastroenterological issues. Your doctor can determine if surgery is necessary for some common conditions. These include:

• Colorectal cancers
• Tumors
• Gallbladder disease
• Bowel inflammation
• Severe acid reflux disease
• Ulcers
• Hernias

Gastroenterology surgeons perform these procedures and can choose if a minimally invasive surgery or an open surgery is best based on your overall health. For instance, you may need either laparoscopy surgery or open surgery. Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that requires smaller incisions and a quicker recovery time. Open surgery, an alternative, requires a large incision that extends from the sternum to the naval and takes longer to recover.

Gastroenterologist Issues That Don't Require Surgery

Not all digestive system issues require surgery. A gastroenterologist creates a treatment plan based on symptoms and imaging.

These are some common signs of GI issues. If they are persistent, you should see a GI doctor:

• Excessive, ongoing bloating
• Changes in bowel habits
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Heartburn

These symptoms do not always indicate a serious issue. Some common GI issues don't usually require surgery. This includes:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Celiac disease
• Food intolerances

A GI doctor can recommend treatments, like a change in diet. For example, celiac disease is caused by an immune response to gluten, and avoiding foods that contain gluten provides relief.

Some issues require medications and maybe diet changes. Irritable bowel syndrome is often treated with antidepressants and following an elimination diet to determine if certain foods cause symptoms.

Anytime you are concerned with your GI symptoms, it's best to see a gastroenterologist in order to determine the cause. Many GI conditions have similar symptoms, and a GI doctor can help determine the cause. With issues like cancer and ulcers, it's vital to get a correct diagnosis. These are serious GI conditions that can lead to death if not treated right away and correctly.

Gastroenterologists are your first step to getting the right diagnosis so that you can get the best treatment plan to help heal your GI issues. Contact a gastroenterologist for more information.