Do you notice spots of bright red blood when you wipe? Do you experience anal itching? If so, these could be signs of an anal fissure. The lining of the anus is delicate and has the ability to tear, especially when straining or dealing with constipation. This is so common that gastroenterologists often see more patients presenting with anal fissures than hemorrhoids.

• Constipation
• Passing hard stools or straining during a bowel movement
• Persistent or recurring diarrhea
• Childbirth
• Anal intercourse
• Crohn’s disease

• Staying hydrated and drinking lots of fluids
• Getting daily exercise
• Consuming a high-fiber diet
• Avoiding straining with a bowel moment
• Go to the bathroom when you need to (do not hold it in)
• Relax in a Sitz bath
• Use baby wipes rather than toilet paper (which may be too dry and rough) after a bowel movement
• Sometimes, stool softeners and fiber supplements can be helpful

Did you know that the gut houses about 100 trillion bacteria? Of course, these microbes can affect everything from your intestinal health to your immune system if something throws your gut microbiome out of whack. While the C. difficile bacterium can be present in your gut and not even know it, other times this infection can lead to more serious gut problems.

• Stomach cramping or pain
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fever

Are you dealing with a burning pain in your stomach that is accompanied by bloating, lack of appetite, and heartburn? If so, you could be dealing with a peptic ulcer. Peptic ulcers are sores that develop within the lining of the stomach, causing a wide range of painful and unpleasant symptoms. It may be time to see your gastroenterologist if you notice these telltale symptoms of a stomach ulcer:

• A dull, aching, or burning sensation in the center of your stomach that may feel worse when empty and may be alleviated by eating or drinking
• Feeling full easily
• Lack of appetite
• Acid reflux and heartburn
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dark stools

Everyone experiences stomach upset from time to time; however, when abdominal pain sets in we know just how uncomfortable it can be. It’s important to know when you’re just dealing with normal aches and pains that will go away on their own or whether you may be dealing with an underlying issue that requires medical attention. In this case, trusting your gut could just be the best thing you do for your health.

• Gastroenteritis (intestinal infection)
• Indigestion
• Gas
• Constipation
• Menstrual cramps
• Food allergies
• Food poisoning
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Diverticulitis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hernia
• Gallstones
• Appendicitis (sudden, sharp pain on the right side; requires immediate medical attention)

Chances are good that you probably never think about your gallbladder. This small organ that lies under the liver is responsible for producing and storing bile to help the liver break down high-fat foods. Of course, you may start thinking about your gallbladder if you start to notice these symptoms of a gallbladder attack:

• Sudden, severe, and sharp abdominal pain (typically in the upper right side of the body)
• Pain that appears after eating and lasts several hours
• Light-colored stools
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Yellowing skin or eyes (jaundice)

• Diabetes
• Family history of gallstones and gallbladder disease
• Being over 60 years old
• Being a woman
• Being overweight or obese
• Taking estrogen or hormone medications
• Eating a diet that is low in fiber and high in cholesterol or fat
• Being pregnant

• You’re dealing with severe cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
• There is an infection
• The gallbladder doesn’t work or has stopped working
• The gallbladder is causing significant pain and other problems
• There is a tumor on the gallbladder

Nowadays, hearing the term “celiac disease” seems rather commonplace. Perhaps you even know someone who has it; however, many people assume celiac disease and gluten intolerance are the same things, but true celiac disease is much more serious. This autoimmune disorder is triggered whenever a person consumes food that contains gluten. Instead of just experiencing digestive upset (as those with gluten intolerance may), those with celiac disease incur damage to their small intestines, which in turn affects how the body absorbs nutrients.

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Increased gas
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Foul-smelling or pale stools (more common in children)

• An itchy, widespread rash
• Osteoporosis
• Ulcers of the mouth
• Joint pain
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Headaches or migraines
• Numbness or tingling of the hands and feet

If you are experiencing rectal pain or noticing specks of blood on your toilet paper you might be dealing with hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids, also referred to as piles, are swollen veins that form either inside or outside the rectum. While hemorrhoids are more common as a person gets older, this condition can happen to anyone. Here’s what you should know about this common rectal problem and how you can treat it.

What causes hemorrhoids?

If you have family members that deal with hemorrhoids, you may be more likely to get them too. Any kind of pressure that’s placed on the rectum and impacts the flow of blood can cause these veins to swell. Pressure may be caused by:

• Constipation and straining during bowel movements
• Heavy lifting or intense physical activity
• Being overweight or obese
• A poor diet that is low in fiber
• Pregnancy
• Leading a sedentary lifestyle

How are hemorrhoids diagnosed?

If you’ve never had hemorrhoids before you may want to see your gastroenterologist for a diagnosis, especially if you are experiencing persistent rectal bleeding. Your doctor will go through your medical history and ask questions about your symptoms before performing an exam. A simple rectal exam is usually all that’s needed to diagnose external hemorrhoids. In order to diagnose internal hemorrhoids, you may require further testing such as a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

How are hemorrhoids treated?

Sometimes hemorrhoids will go away on their own, so you won’t require special care or treatment. Home remedies include:

• Adding more fiber to your diet
• Avoiding straining during bowel movements
• Staying hydrated to aid in better digestion
• Taking a Sitz bath several times a day to ease any pain and discomfort

There are also over-the-counter medications that can alleviate symptoms including pain and itching. If your symptoms persist after using these medications you should talk with your doctor. If the hemorrhoid is large or isn’t responding to other treatment options then your GI doctor may recommend surgery. There are many minimally invasive surgical techniques that can be used to get rid of hemorrhoids.

If you notice rectal pain, bleeding or discomfort that leaves you concerned or worried about your health it’s important that you talk with your gastroenterologist to find out if you need further evaluation. While hemorrhoids may clear on their own, if you don’t experience relief a doctor will be able to help.