Four Ways That A Gastroenterologist Can Help You Treat Coeliac Disease

If you have coeliac disease, your body cannot tolerate the gluten in wheat and similar grains. When you eat these, your immune system reacts by damaging the lining of your small intestine. This can cause a range of symptoms, such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloating.

The good news is that there are many treatment options available to help you control your symptoms and live a normal life.

If you're not sure if it's right for you to see a gastroenterologist about coeliac disease, here are four ways a gastroenterology specialist can help:

They Can Diagnose Coeliac Disease

A gastroenterologist can help diagnose coeliac disease by ordering blood tests and other tests such as an endoscopy, which is a procedure where an instrument called an endoscope is used to examine the inside of your stomach and small intestine. If you have symptoms of coeliac disease like diarrhoea, constipation or abdominal pain, your gastroenterologist may recommend testing for coeliac disease.

They Can Help You Manage The Complications Of Coeliac Disease

Coeliac disease can cause many symptoms, including diarrhoea and weight loss. A gastroenterologist is trained to manage these symptoms and help treat any complications that arise from them. For example, if you experience anaemia due to malabsorption of iron from your food, your doctor may prescribe iron supplements or other medication to boost your iron levels back up again. Your doctor will also check for other nutritional deficiencies that could lead to more severe health problems if left untreated.

A Gastroenterology Specialist Can Provide Ongoing Care And Treatment

A gastroenterology specialist will be able to monitor your health as well as check for any complications that could arise with coeliac disease. These complications include anaemia, osteoporosis, certain types of cancer and other autoimmune disorders. If you develop any of these complications, your doctor will be able to monitor the development and treatment. A specialist can also help advise you on how to maintain a gluten-free diet as well as offer advice on other supplements or medications that could help with your symptoms.

They Can Diagnose Or Rule Out Any Other Conditions 

In addition to coeliac disease, a gastroenterologist can diagnose or rule out any other conditions that may be causing your symptoms. For example, if you have gastrointestinal issues that are not related to coeliac disease, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Gastroenterologists play a vital role in the management of coeliac disease, where they can provide ongoing care and treatment for patients suffering from the disease. Chat with a gastroenterology clinic, such as Ologist, for more information and advice today.

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