Gastrointestinal Symptoms

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Gastrointestinal Symptoms services offered in The Woodlands, Shenandoah and Spring, TX

Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bowel habit changes, and fecal incontinence, often occur together and leave you feeling awful. At Premier General and Colorectal Surgery, colorectal surgeon Junuk Kim, MD, FACS, and the experienced team provide a diagnosis of your symptoms and a personalized treatment plan using a boutique practice approach. Call the Shenandoah, Texas, office or click on the online scheduling tool now.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms Q&A

What are the most common gastrointestinal symptoms?

At Premier General & Colorectal Surgery, Dr. Kim treats all types of symptoms affecting the lower part of the digestive tract. Some common issues include: 

  • Abdominal cramping
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Bowel habit changes
  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Fecal incontinence
  • Bowel urgency
  • Blood in stool
  • Mucus in stool
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unintended weight loss

Gastrointestinal symptoms often come in pairs or groups. For example, it’s quite common to have bowel urgency, abdominal cramping, and bloating simultaneously. 

When should I see the doctor about gastrointestinal symptoms?

Some common signs that it’s time to get help include spending too much time in the bathroom, not making it to the bathroom in time, and missing out on things you enjoy because of pain, gas, or other abdominal issues.  

If your gastrointestinal symptoms make it difficult to live normally, Dr. Kim recommends visiting Premier General & Colorectal Surgery. All these issues are treatable, and there’s no reason to suffer anymore.

How are gastrointestinal symptoms diagnosed?

Dr. Kim carefully reviews your gastrointestinal symptoms and medical history and determines the right testing for you. You may need blood tests, stool tests, a diagnostic ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 

Some gastrointestinal conditions are hard to diagnose without seeing your intestines from the inside, so Dr. Kim may recommend a colonoscopy (the main colon cancer screening procedure) or a similar procedure called a flexible sigmoidoscopy. 

Collectively, this information leads to a diagnosis and individualized treatment plan. 

What are the treatments for gastrointestinal symptoms?

Depending on the cause of your symptoms and your diagnosis, you may need medication, lifestyle changes, or surgery to relieve issues. Dr. Kim is a premier minimally invasive surgeon with specialized experience in laparoscopic and robotic surgery. 

Many minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgeries allow you to return home that day. So, in most cases, if you need surgery, you’ll have a procedure with tiny incisions. These advanced techniques minimize pain, scarring, and infection risk. 

If the signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal problems have you in a state of distress, Premier General & Colorectal Surgery can provide help right away. Call the office or the online scheduling link to arrange your consultation today.