Constipation, Diarrhea & GI Bleeding Issues

Boise - Caldwell

Constipation, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal bleeding are common symptoms of gastrointestinal conditions and diseases, including anal fissures, inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease, or gastroenteritis. However, these symptoms could also cite other conditions completely unrelated to the digestive system.

While these conditions can prove overly uncomfortable, you do not need to worry since they are treatable.

Constipation

Constipation, characterized by difficulty for the bowel to pass stools.

What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Constipation?

Constipation, is caused by:

  • Inadequate fiber in one's diet, a disruption of your routine or diet
  • Blocked colon or rectum
  • Colon nerves dysfunction
  • Certain medications
Constipation, Diarrhea & GI Bleeding Issues | Digestive General Surgery

How is Chronic Constipation Diagnosed?

As a diagnosis, you are likely to strain when passing stool or have small, hard stools when constipating. You can also experience fissures or hemorrhoids.

How is Chronic Constipation Treated?

Constipation happens suddenly or chronically. You can treat these symptoms by adjusting your diet and lifestyle. If this fails, a general surgeon may recommend:

  • Exercise
  • Fiber supplements
  • Medication that increases lubrication within the intestines
  • Surgery to correct anal fissures, rectocele, or anal stenosis

Diarrhea

When you have diarrhea, your stool is loose and watery. Diarrhea is a common condition. Almost everyone is likely to experience it a few times a year, lasting between two and three days for sudden diarrhea or approximately three weeks for an acute one.

What are the Causes of Diarrhea?

Below are some conditions leading to diarrhea:

  • Fructose and lactose intolerance
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Bacterial or viral infections
  • Certain medications
  • Food intolerance
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Some cancers
  • Digestive system surgeries
  • Malabsorption
  • Radiation therapy

What Are the Symptoms of Diarrhea?

The symptoms of diarrhea vary from mild to severe. These are:

  • Bloating in the stomach
  • Nausea
  • Loose or watery stools
  • Fever
  • Sudden bowel movements
  • Cramps
  • Bloody stool
  • Fever

How Is Diarrhea Diagnosed?

Your doctor makes a physical examination based on your medical history, medications you are on, and diet to look for probable dehydration or stomach discomfort and pain. For chronic diarrhea, the doctor might carry further tests, including:

  • Bloods tests
  • Stool tests to examine for the presence of bacteria and parasites
  • Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy

How Is Diarrhea Treated?

While there might not be a surgical procedure to treat diarrhea, liquid and tablet medications such as loperamide can help stop it. Antibiotics are also crucial in treating bacterial or parasitic infections. Finally, taking fluids and minerals by mouth or IV will also help recover from diarrhea.


Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding

This condition happens when you are bleeding within the digestive system. The blood in your excretions indicates where, within the digestive tract, the bleeding is happening.

Constipation, Diarrhea & GI Bleeding Issues | Digestive General Surgery

What Causes of GI Bleeding?

Some common causes include:

  • Ulceration or tumors within the digestive tract
  • Esophageal varices
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Diverticulitis
  • Colitis
  • Liver disease
  • Medical issues such as chronic renal and cardiac diseases

What Are the Symptoms of GI Bleeding?

The symptoms of GI bleeding vary depending on the severity and the source of blood. These symptoms will tell you that you have GI bleeding:

  • Bloody stool (bright, red, burgundy, or black depending on severity)
  • General weakness
  • Angina
  • Dizziness
  • Paleness
  • Bloody vomit
  • Abdominal cramps

How Is GI Bleeding Diagnosed?

The first step is usually upper GI endoscopy to examine the upper gastrointestinal tract for potential bleeding. A general surgeon can then conduct a colonoscopy if the source of blood is in the lower digestive tract. Suitable treatment methods are then made after determining the cause of bleeding.

How is GI Bleeding Treated?

  • Laser treatment
  • IV fluid administration
  • Blood transfusion for severe bleeding

Surgery might be necessary if all the above treatment options fail. A general surgeon or physician can inject medication (angiography) or apply bands and clips to the affected areas to stop the bleeding.

Get a Consultation with General Surgeon Dr. Daniel Gay for Constipation, Diarrhea, and GI Bleeding

Constipation, diarrhea, and GI bleeding can be avoidable. If these symptoms are debilitating and are preventing you from living your best life, contact Dr. Daniel Gay’s office today to schedule an appointment.

We Accept All Major Insurance Carriers:

Blue Cross is an accepted insurance at Dr. Daniel Gay, MD Regence is an accepted insurance at Dr. Daniel Gay, MD Select Health is an accepted insurance at Dr. Daniel Gay, MD Humana is an accepted insurance at Dr. Daniel Gay, MD Medicare is an accepted insurance at Dr. Daniel Gay, MD Medicaid is an accepted insurance at Dr. Daniel Gay, MD Tricare is an accepted insurance at Dr. Daniel Gay, MD Pacific Source is an accepted insurance at Dr. Daniel Gay, MD United Healthcare is an accepted insurance at Dr. Daniel Gay, MD Aetna is an accepted insurance at Dr. Daniel Gay, MD

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Testimonials

Patient Testimonials

Rating
5.0
83
reviews
chris brooksby
I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Gay and his whole team, everyone I dealt with was very friendly and took lots of time to explain everything and make me feel comfortable with the procedure that I had scheduled. Additionally Dr. Gay spent a lot of time going over how the surgery had gone with me on my follow up appointment-I never felt like he was trying to say a few things then push me out the door so he could move on to the next patient as I have felt in other doctors offices in the past. That all being said I can’t recommend Dr. Gay and his team enough, they are fantastic! I hope I never need their services again, but if I do I know I’ll be in good hands.
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Dan Rueb
Dr. Daniel Gay is a likeable, friendly surgeon who took his time with me to answer my questions in a patient, thorough manner, explaining my options, & who offered his surgical services at the Nampa St. Luke's Hospital. I highly recommend him.
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Kelly Dawson
10 out of 10!!!! Dr. Gay and Sarah are such a beautiful blessing. I had been having intense symptoms of suspected gallbladder issues for months, but all testing was coming back normal. Because tests were coming back normal, my PCP couldn't get a surgeon to even talk to me. On month 3, she finally reached out to Dr. Gay who was graciously open to having a discussion with me and got me in quickly. He spent so much time explaining things to me & my husband in so much detail. I could immediately tell he genuinely cares for his patients, his practice, and the level of care that is provided. His standards of excellence are high. It felt so good to finally be heard. I had been suffering 4 months of intense gallbladder attacks 1-2 times a week with 2 ER visits. It was completely debilitating. After completing additional testing (which all came back normal), and my attacks becoming more intense and frequent, Dr. Gay agreed to proceed with removing my gallbladder. During the removal he found TWO gallstones that were causing the issue. It was amazing how quickly I started to feel human again. Sarah is an incredibly reliable and personable MA who took care of all my FMLA paperwork like a champ. I didn’t have to worry about a thing. Dr. Gay is such an amazing doctor (a wonderful human) and so down to earth that I felt comfortable with him right away. I have so much gratitude that he was my surgeon. You're doing great work Doc ... keep it up.
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Emily Richcreek
Appreciative of the office and staff, as well as Dr. Daniel Gay himself. Dr. Gay took time to listen and trust me as a patient and that what I was going through was legitimate. Between normal labs, scans, and tests, Dr. Gay took the time to trust what I was feeling and made an important medical decision; which greatly improved my health. In doing so I’m now pain free and feeling amazing. To the office and Dr. Gay himself, thank you for listening and thank you for the wonderful care you provided me. Also this office is amazing with children! Had my pre-k shadow tripping at my feet the whole time. They did amazing keeping him occupied and loaded on suckers. They’re all amazing.
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Glenn Mabey
Did a fine job
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Stewart Galbraith
Referred to Dr. Gay for bilateral inguinal hernia surgery. He explained the procedure well, and the follow-up appointment was also informative. Recovery has gone well, with no complications. Overall, I am very pleased with his service.
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Byl Kravetz
Start to finish, Dr. Gay and his staff were friendly and efficient. All of my questions were answered and the procedure went as smoothly as a procedure can go. Highly recommend their services.
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Dan Cunningham
I couldn’t ask for a better experience than with Dr Gay. Very happy. Not only a good surgeon but takes the time to get to know you. Very please
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Dr. Daniel Gay, Member of the Independent Doctors of Idaho