Which doctor treats intestinal dysbiosis: symptoms, causes of the disease. Bifilakt BIOTA

Causes of constipation

The rhythm of life of a modern person does not allow him to leave time for preparing healthy and wholesome food. The diet consists of semi-finished products, sausages, sausages, a variety of frozen foods and other fast food dishes. Drinking the required volume of water is also an almost impossible task, and this is what leads to a slowdown in metabolic processes. What do we get in the end? At best, poor complexion, tired appearance and lack of appetite. Later, pain will definitely appear in the lower left part of the abdomen. All this suggests that the process of developing chronic constipation has begun. Every adult should know which doctor to contact for constipation, because this condition is much more serious than it seems at first glance.

This disease can take anyone by surprise, but there are those who are especially susceptible to it. Constipation in infancy may indicate insufficient feeding or poor absorption of nutrients. During pregnancy, the intestines are compressed by the enlarged uterus or affected by altered hormonal levels, which leads to difficult bowel movements. Weakened intestinal muscles, changes in the functioning of the endocrine glands, and constipation are common in older people. Which doctor should an adult with constipation see? This should only be a competent gastroenterologist who will quickly and effectively alleviate the condition.

When should you see a doctor?

The small and large intestines suffer more than any other organ from the quality of food. The rhythm of life does not leave time for a balanced diet, and daily stress has a negative impact on the nervous system, provoking “irritable bowel syndrome.” This condition is more common in women than men and causes serious gastrointestinal discomfort. A person feels abdominal pain after eating, bloating and upset.

Against the background of “irritable bowel syndrome”, ulcers, gastroenteritis and colitis develop.

Reasons why you should see a specialist:

• Gastroenteritis. An inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, causing nausea, including vomiting, diarrhea and cramps.
• Colitis of the intestines. It is an inflammation of the large intestine, and is considered the result of infectious, ulcerative or chemical colitis. Common signs of colitis include abdominal cramps, fever, frequent urge to defecate (tenesmus), and blood in the stool.
• Ulcers. Characteristic not only of the stomach, the intestines also suffer. The symptoms of an ulcer are not difficult to confuse - aching pain in the upper abdomen, which is especially noticeable after eating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite. The latter symptom leads to weight loss and fatigue.
• Oncology. It can also develop in the large intestine, with the following symptoms: the organ begins to perform its functions poorly, frequent tenesmus occurs, the amount of stool decreases, mucus and blood appear in the stool, stool changes color to dark.

Symptoms of the disease

Diagnosis of constipation is carried out according to the following signs:

• an adult has bowel movements less than 3 times a week;
• bowel movements of a baby when feeding milk less than 2 times a day and less than 1 time a day when feeding him with formulas;
• a child aged 1-3 years stools less than 5 times a week;
• bowel movements less than 3 times a week in a child over 3 years of age;
• stool is dry and hard.

Symptoms will depend on the classification of the disease. Not every adult knows which doctor to see for constant constipation. A gastroenterologist will quickly determine the cause of the disease and conduct a competent diagnosis.

Classification

Today there is no unified classification of constipation, but the pathology is usually considered depending on the cause of occurrence and stage of development. The causes of constipation allow us to distinguish certain types of bowel movements:

• primary constipation - occurs due to pathology of the rectum of an acquired or congenital nature;
• secondary constipation - are the consequences of diseases or injuries;
• idiopathic constipation - occurs due to impaired intestinal motor function for unknown reasons.

The doctor can also diagnose acute or chronic course of the disease. If there is no bowel movement for several days, constipation is considered acute.

How to determine intestinal pathology by appearance?

An experienced doctor is able to make a preliminary diagnosis only by externally examining the patient. Judging by the condition of the skin of the face and its color, hair, nails, tongue, one can determine which organ a person is sick with.

The connection between diseased intestines and facial skin is obvious. During the processing of food, not only useful substances are produced, but also toxic toxins. If the intestinal microflora is disturbed and does not cope with its filter function, then the functioning of the sebaceous glands is disrupted. They become clogged, and harmful bacteria use the sebum-filled areas as a favorable habitat.

After research, doctors came to the conclusion that the accumulation of acne in certain places may be associated with internal organs:

• pimples located on the forehead, wings of the nose, cheeks indicate problems with the intestines;
• acne on the temples indicates impaired functioning of the gallbladder;
• acne on the chin can be a sign of a disorder in the sexual sphere or gastrointestinal tract;
• inflammatory formations on the back indicate intestinal dysbiosis, possible problems of endocrine organs, and gynecological pathologies.

An sallow-gray complexion and bluish circles under the eyes are most likely also a manifestation of intestinal dysfunction. If a person’s lips are dry, chapped, with cracks and “jams” that do not heal well, then there may be gastritis, ulcers or other diseases of the digestive tract.

The truth about internal diseases can be easily read from the tongue: if the base of the tongue is covered with a white coating, the mucous membrane is dotted with deep pits, then this indicates dysbacteriosis or a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. A greenish coating indicates duodenal dysfunction.

In order not to confuse an individual appearance with a disease, if suspicious symptoms are detected, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Constipation in children

In infancy, problems with bowel movements may arise due to the immature nervous system and adaptation of the child's digestive organs. There are many other reasons for the development of this condition: too early introduction of complementary foods, lack of vitamin D, food allergies, incorrect change of formula and much more.

At the age of 1 to 3 years, constipation is most often caused by poor diet, lack of fiber or fluid. There is also a psychogenic etiology for the development of the disease. The main reasons are improper potty training and forced retention on it. Often, parents severely scold their child for incontinence. When starting to attend preschool children's institutions, the baby experiences stress; changes in diet and lifestyle affect the emotional background and can lead to constipation.

Not every parent knows which doctor to see for constipation in a child. The first consultation is carried out by a pediatrician who will conduct a survey and visual examination. Next, you will need to consult a gastroenterologist.

Symptoms

The intestines in the human body are populated by bacterial flora. It contains beneficial and harmful bacteria.

With a healthy microflora, there is a balance between microorganisms. Any violations can lead to serious consequences, in which beneficial bacteria die and pathogenic microorganisms develop and multiply.

Intestinal microflora disorders are accompanied by a number of unpleasant symptoms. All of them are related to the functioning of the digestive system and general condition.

What are they like:

• Stool disorders in the form of diarrhea or constipation;
• There are particles of undigested food in the stool;
• Flatulence, bloating, increased gas formation, rumbling in the stomach, colic;
• Pain syndrome in the abdominal area;
• Nausea, vomiting may occur;
• There is an unpleasant odor and metallic taste from the oral cavity;
• Loss of appetite, weight loss;
• Belching, heartburn;
• Sleep disorders, insomnia;
• Headache, dizziness;
• Weakness, deterioration of general condition;
• Increased fatigue;
• Manifestations of allergic reactions in the form of skin rashes, irritation, itching;

There are 4 stages of dysbiosis, in which symptoms appear gradually and intensify.

Do I need to treat?

Constipation is not a disease; rather, it is a symptom of certain disorders in the body. This condition must be treated to avoid irreversible consequences in the future. Unfortunately, not many people know what dangers lie in frequent and prolonged constipation, but the condition is extremely dangerous for human health. Here are some of the consequences:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• the formation of polyps and tumors in the intestines;
• intestinal obstruction;
• intoxication of the body.

If you don’t know which doctor to see for constipation, then first you can make an appointment with a therapist, who will give further referrals for diagnosis and consultation with specialists.

Survey

First, the therapist will listen to complaints, study tests, and learn about habits that could cause a disorder. When constipation is not accompanied by systemic diseases, standard treatment will be prescribed. If there are doubts about the nature of the disorder, additional studies are prescribed to identify the cause and associated diseases.

Primary required studies include:

• blood test - general, biochemical;
• stool blood test;
• Analysis of urine.

A gastroenterologist can perform a rectal examination to identify nodules, fissures, and hemorrhoids. Additionally, a colonoscopy is prescribed. Then the gastroenterologist can see the condition of the intestines by moving a probe with a camera through it. In special cases, radiography is used.

• blood test to detect thyroid pathologies;
• sigmoidoscopy for visual assessment of the lower intestine;
• colonic test to determine the duration of movement of masses through the intestines.

Treatment

Not only the treatment of constipation, but also its prevention is carried out mainly by establishing a diet and drawing up a rational menu. If constipation is already chronic, then it is important to remember that there are provocative foods on the menu that will increase the efficiency of bowel movements.

These products will help you go to the toilet faster:

1. Rye bread or products with bran.
2. Dried fruits.
3. Vegetables and fruits in raw form.
4. Buckwheat and oatmeal.
5. Pickled cucumbers and sauerkraut.
6. Kvass and beer, but only naturally fermented.
7. Large amount of water.
8. Lean meats.

Before starting any diet, you should consult a specialist. It now becomes clear which doctor to consult for constipation. A gastroenterologist will not only advise on taking medications, but will also create a competent diet.

The most important thing a specialist should do is to determine the cause of constipation. In some cases, the patient should not eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, as this will provoke increased intestinal motility and can cause painful bloating. Fiber is administered in small quantities with the addition of antispastic drugs.

Tests for suspected gastritis

An experienced doctor who treats gastritis knows that there are several types of this disease. They differ in acidity, focus of inflammation and other parameters. This affects the choice of medications and the duration of treatment. On the doctor's recommendation, you should undergo the following types of examination:

• general analysis of urine and blood;
• taking a biopsy from the gastric mucosa;
• Ultrasound of the stomach;

  

• examination of the digestive organs using a probe.

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe a breath test to detect the presence of harmful substances in the digestive tract using carbon particles. Additional research methods include analysis of gastric juice and x-rays.

Laxatives

Sometimes a person is worried not just about a heavy bowel movement, but about a more serious condition. Not everyone understands which doctor to consult for prolonged constipation. In this case, you should not waste time and go to a therapist; you can safely go to an appointment with a gastroenterologist for immediate help. Usually the doctor prescribes a laxative, but whether this step is necessary is a rather controversial issue.

Laxatives cause rapid addiction, and then the patient’s condition may even worsen. Most studies have shown that taking such drugs and remedies is not necessary. Medications are prescribed only by a doctor and only after the cause of the condition has been established. Enemas or microenemas are usually self-administered by patients for quick relief, but are also highly addictive.

Urgent measures

If the situation turns out to be an emergency, an oil enema or a water enema is used. A regular water enema is less effective, so a large volume of liquid is needed. So the patient may feel discomfort, especially for children. The already mentioned microenemas called “Microlax” also bring quick relief, but you should not abuse them, because you can cause a burning sensation in the rectum. Pregnant women need to be especially careful about this situation. A woman with constipation, especially during pregnancy, does not always know which doctor to see. To begin with, you can go for a consultation with a gynecologist if we are talking about the period of pregnancy, and if not, then a gastroenterologist will also help here.

Physiotherapy

Exercise therapy is great for those who do not want to use medications or use untested folk remedies. A few simple exercises will help your intestines work with renewed vigor, and you can do them right at home.

1. The familiar “bicycle” will help you stretch your muscles. You need to lie on the floor and twist your legs as if you were pedaling, after which each leg should be bent and pressed to your stomach.
2. Place your knees and palms on the floor, squat on your hips, and then alternately stretch your legs back with your back arched.

Such simple exercises will not only improve bowel function, but also increase blood flow and strengthen the pelvic muscles. Such physical education improves a person’s overall well-being.

Now it has become known which doctor to consult for prolonged constipation and what measures need to be taken to eliminate the unpleasant manifestations of the pathology. Do not underestimate the condition, because it often leads to irreversible and very serious consequences.

What is dysbiosis?

Dysbacteriosis is a violation of the physiological balance of intestinal microflora, in which populations of pathogenic microorganisms (fungal and bacterial in nature) begin to predominate over “beneficial” bacteria. This leads to a decrease in overall immunity, the risk of developing allergic reactions and disruption of digestive processes in the gastrointestinal tract: the intestines cannot cope with the physiological process of food digestion, in which lacto- and bifidobacteria (the same “useful” microorganisms of our intestines) participate.