Abdominal pain, bloating and change in bowel habit
Persistent or recurrent tummy pain, bloating, diarrhoea or constipation can have many causes. A structured assessment helps identify the problem and the right treatment.
Conditions & Treatments
Private gastroenterology care with Dr Thines Karunakaran at The Oaks Hospital, Colchester — from first consultation through to endoscopy and follow-up.
Symptoms I assess
Reflux, heartburn and GORD
Frequent heartburn, acid regurgitation or difficulty swallowing may indicate gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or other oesophageal conditions.
Rectal bleeding and bowel cancer investigation
Blood in the stool or on the paper always warrants assessment. I also investigate positive bowel cancer screening results and symptoms that need prompt exclusion of serious causes.
Anaemia, jaundice and unexplained weight loss
Symptoms such as iron-deficiency anaemia, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or unintentional weight loss require careful investigation of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
Conditions I treat
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and functional gut disorders
Diagnosis and tailored management of IBS and functional gut symptoms, including dietary approaches and medication, after excluding other causes.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis)
Diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of IBD, working closely with NHS IBD services where ongoing specialist care is needed.
Coeliac disease
Testing and diagnosis for coeliac disease, with guidance on gluten-free living and long-term monitoring.
Liver disease and abnormal liver blood tests
Investigation and management of abnormal liver blood tests, fatty liver disease and other liver conditions, with onward referral to hepatology services when appropriate.
Barrett's oesophagus
Surveillance and management of Barrett's oesophagus, including endoscopic monitoring and risk stratification.
Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) disease
Assessment of conditions affecting the liver, bile ducts and pancreas, with coordination of specialist imaging, endoscopy and onward HPB referral when required.
Procedures
Gastroscopy (OGD) and colonoscopy
Diagnostic and therapeutic camera tests of the upper digestive tract and large bowel to investigate reflux, pain, bleeding, change in bowel habit, anaemia and more.
Therapeutic endoscopy
Endoscopic treatments including polyp removal, dilation of strictures, and treatment of bleeding lesions during gastroscopy or colonoscopy.
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
A specialised endoscopic procedure to diagnose and treat problems of the bile ducts and pancreatic duct, such as stones or blockages.
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
Detailed imaging of the oesophagus, stomach, bile ducts, pancreas and surrounding structures using an endoscope with an ultrasound probe.
Not sure what's causing your symptoms?
Book a consultation with Dr Karunakaran at The Oaks Hospital, Colchester.
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