Symptom-to-specialty pillar guide
Reflux, IBS & Ongoing Stomach Pain: The Gastroenterology Path
January 1, 1970 · by the Help Me Find A Doctor editorial team
How to decide when reflux, bloating, or belly pain has crossed into gastroenterology territory — and what a first GI visit typically covers.
Symptoms this guide covers
- Reflux or heartburn multiple times a week
- Bloating, gas, or abdominal pain
- Diarrhea or constipation that won't normalize
- Blood in stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
Which specialists to see
When to escalate beyond OTC
Reflux that needs a PPI more than 4 weeks, any blood in stool, iron-deficiency anemia, or persistent weight loss deserves gastroenterology evaluation with endoscopy or colonoscopy.
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Frequently asked questions
When should I start colorectal cancer screening?
Average-risk adults now start at age 45. Family history or symptoms may move that earlier — ask a gastroenterologist.
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