While there are a variety of medical conditions which affect the gastrointestinal or digestive system, most of them are treatable and others can be managed through medication and lifestyle.

There are lots of different reasons why you may see a gastroenterologist, whether it’s because you think you may be lactose intolerant, have coeliac disease or you’re experiencing dyspepsia symptoms such as heartburn, reflux or nausea.

At LivingCare we have a team of specialist consultant gastroenterologists who are on-hand to provide expert advice from your first consultation, through to assessment and treatment.

Here are some common reasons why you may need to see a gastroenterologist:

• You may have dyspepsia symptoms e.g. heartburn, reflux, epigastric pain, bloating, nausea and fullness
• You may have unresolved gastrointestinal symptoms
• You may need an endoscopic examination (this is where a small camera is inserted through your throat or back passage), or treatment trial, but would benefit from seeing a gastroenterologist first
• Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
• Suspected malabsorption e.g. coeliac disease, lactose intolerance

One of the most common reasons people come to see our gastroenterologists is because they feel like they have a lump in their throat, which they can’t clear, no matter how much they cough or drink.

The medical term used to describe this is a ‘globus’ and there are several reasons why people may experience this. Experiencing difficulty swallowing can feel worrying, but it rarely indicates that anything is seriously wrong.

If patients complain of a globus, they will often be seen by both a gastroenterologist and an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist as there are broadly three possible causes. The first is an ENT problem, the second is it could be caused due to gastro-oesophageal reflux [link to GORD blog] which is a gastro-intestinal issue, or in some cases, it can be caused by anxiety.

Treatment is always tailored to your individual needs and once a possible cause has been established, our specialists will talk you through the next steps and answer any questions you may have.  

At LivingCare we provide all of our services for NHS patients as well as on a private basis. To be seen through the NHS for any of our services, we just require a referral from your GP. Alternatively, you can be seen privately.

If you would like to find out more information about our services, or book an appointment, please call 0113 249 4655 and a member of our team will be happy to help you.