Heartburn

Heartburn is very specific often to the patient themselves and your doctor will discuss this with you in detail. It is often described as the feeling of burning or hotness in the chest sometimes radiating to the throat. It may be associated with nausea and vomiting. This maybe investigated with blood tests, breath tests, endoscopy, ultrasound and sometimes a chest x-ray. Treatments may include combination of dietary, lifestyle, behavioural  modifications and medications.

Indigestion

Indigestion is also very specific often to the patient themselves and your doctor will discuss this with you in detail. Indigestion maybe a collection of symptoms including, heartburn, nausea, bloating, abdominal pain or wind. This maybe investigated with blood tests, breath tests, endoscopy, colonoscopy, ultrasound and sometimes a chest x-ray. Treatments may include combination of dietary, lifestyle, behavioural  modifications and medications.

Diarrhoea

This is where the bowel habit may become looser or watery, it may also become more frequent. This maybe intermittent or constant, associated with a sense of urgency and also maybe painful. Occasionally it maybe associated with slime, mucus or blood. All of these symptoms should be reported to you doctor. Investigations will include, blood tests, stool tests, ultrasound, endoscopy and colonoscopy. Treatments will depend upon the diagnosis.

Constipation

Constipation is when the bowel habit slows down and maybe represented by passing small pellet like stool or large bulky stools. Patients often present with abdominal discomfort, bloating, and pain. There may also be pain on opening the bowels and this can be associated with slime, mucus and bleeding. Investigations will include blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound, colonoscopy and other more complex investigations. Treatments may include combination of dietary, lifestyle, behavioural, modifications and medications.

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain can be mild to severe, may be dull, cramping or piercing pain. It may be sudden onset or have slow crescendo like quality. The description of the pain may give your doctor an idea of what is happening. Investigation of pain may require, blood tests, ultrasound, CT scan, endoscopy and colonoscopy.

Wind and Flatulence

Wind and flatulence can be very inconvenient (at work) and unsociable. It can lead to discomfort and pain. This maybe diet related and therefore investigations start with detailed analysis of diets, lifestyle, behavioural patterns that may contribute to the symptoms. It may require investigation with blood tests, ultrasound, endoscopy and colonoscopy. One would try non invasive methods in the first instance.

Weight loss

Weight loss can be a sign that things are not right. If this is persistent and unintentional you should consult your doctor.

Loss of appetite

Loss of appetite can also be an early sign that things are not right. If this is persistent and unintentional you should consult your doctor.

Food intolerances

Low FODMAP diet

This is a diet that was discovered and pioneered in Australia. It has been accepted wordwide for patients who have a reduced ability to digest certain complex carbohydrates. This maybe related to a chemical deficiency in the bowel. The diet is extremely effective but does require will power!

High Protein, High Energy Diet (patients with advanced liver disease)

This diet has been developed for patients with advanced liver disease. Evidence shows us that loss of body muscle can make the disease process progress faster, therefore the diet is designed to stop muscle loss, maintain and build muscle in the body.

No added Salt Diet (patients with advanced liver disease)

Patients with advanced liver disease, in particular those who have ascites or swollen legs often have too much salt in the body and this may exacerbate these problems. By reducing salt intake these symptoms can be improved.