When to See a Gastroenterologist in Sheepshead Bay: 10 Warning Signs

By the IDCC Health editorial team

What Does a Gastroenterologist Do?

A gastroenterologist is a doctor who focuses on the digestive system, also called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This system includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. According to MedlinePlus, the digestive system is how the body breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and removes waste. When any part of that process is not working well, a gastroenterologist helps find out why and guides treatment.

At IDCC Health, the Gastroenterology service is led by Cynthia Quainoo MD, who cares for people with conditions such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver problems. Gastroenterologists also perform important screening tests, including colonoscopy, which examines the large intestine, and upper endoscopy, which examines the esophagus and stomach. Many patients start by talking with a Primary Care doctor about their symptoms. That doctor can help decide whether a specialist is needed. For more on whether you need a referral, see Do I Need a Referral to See a Gastroenterologist?

• Persistent heartburn or acid reflux
• Stomach pain, bloating, or gas
• Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation
• Blood in the stool
• Trouble swallowing
• Liver or gallbladder concerns

10 Warning Signs You Should See a Gastroenterologist

Many digestive problems are temporary and can be managed with a visit to your Primary Care provider. But some symptoms point to a deeper issue that needs a specialist. At IDCC Health, Cynthia Quainoo MD leads the Gastroenterology team and helps patients in Brooklyn find the cause of persistent symptoms.

Here are ten warning signs that suggest it is time to see a gastroenterologist rather than waiting for symptoms to pass.

• Blood in your stool, which can signal bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract.
• Heartburn or acid reflux that happens most days or wakes you up at night.
• Trouble swallowing, or a feeling that food gets stuck in your chest or throat.
• Unexplained weight loss without changes to your diet or activity level.
• A lasting change in bowel habits, such as new constipation or diarrhea that continues for more than a few weeks.
• Severe or ongoing abdominal pain that does not improve with rest or over-the-counter remedies.
• Frequent nausea or vomiting that does not go away.
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes, known as jaundice, which can point to liver problems.
• A family history of colorectal cancer or other digestive cancers.
• Reaching age 45, which is when most major medical groups recommend that adults start routine colorectal cancer screening.

Chronic Conditions a Gastroenterologist Can Help Manage

Many chronic conditions develop slowly and cause symptoms that flare up, settle down, and then return. That makes ongoing care important. At IDCC Health, Cynthia Quainoo MD helps patients manage these long-term digestive problems. The goal is to control symptoms, protect your digestive tract, and prevent complications.

Because these conditions affect so many parts of daily life, managing them often takes a team. Your Primary Care doctor can help with routine health needs and coordinate your overall care, while a gastroenterologist focuses on your digestive system. Stress and anxiety can also make symptoms like reflux and IBS worse, so some patients benefit from Psychiatry as part of their treatment plan. Because the gut and brain are closely linked, some patients with digestive symptoms also see a Neurologist for evaluation. Women with pelvic discomfort that overlaps with digestive symptoms sometimes benefit from a Gynecologist visit as well. And for pain that limits movement, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation can help you stay active while treatment continues. For conditions that involve the liver or nearby organs, patients sometimes wonder whether the spleen is part of a gastroenterologist's scope. Our article Can a Gastroenterologist Check Your Spleen as Well? explains the connection. Regular visits, blood work, and imaging help your care team track how well treatment is working.

• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease): frequent heartburn, chest discomfort, and regurgitation caused by stomach acid moving into the esophagus.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): long-lasting abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or both.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract.
• Celiac disease: an immune reaction to gluten that damages the lining of the small intestine and can cause digestive and other symptoms.
• Liver conditions: fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and other issues that affect how the liver works.

Colorectal Cancer Screening: Who Needs It and When

Colorectal cancer can often be prevented when polyps are found and removed early. A gastroenterologist, like Dr. Cynthia Quainoo at IDCC Health, performs colonoscopies, the most common screening test. Our Gastroenterology department offers these procedures in a comfortable setting, and the team can also address other digestive concerns during the same visit.

Major medical organizations recommend that most adults at average risk begin screening at age 45. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or certain digestive conditions, you may need to start earlier. Your primary care doctor can help you decide when to begin. If you notice blood in your stool, lasting changes in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss, see a gastroenterologist right away. Sometimes hemorrhoids cause bleeding, and a colonoscopy can check for both. For more on that, see our guide on whether hemorrhoids can be removed during a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy usually takes about 30 minutes. You will be sedated, so the procedure is typically not painful. The doctor uses a thin tube with a camera to look at your entire colon. If they find polyps, they can remove them during the same procedure. You can have the test done at our office at 445 Kings Highway in Brooklyn. After the procedure, you will need someone to drive you home. According to MedlinePlus, regular screening can catch problems early, and the National Center for Biotechnology Information provides detailed guidelines on screening intervals. Heartburn can sometimes feel similar to chest pain. If you are unsure whether your discomfort is digestive or heart-related, a Cardiologist visit can help you sort it out.

• Everyone at average risk starting at age 45
• Earlier if you have a family history of colorectal cancer
• If you have inflammatory bowel disease or other risk factors
• If you have symptoms like blood in stool or persistent changes in bowel habits

What to Expect at Your First Gastroenterology Appointment

Your first visit is mostly a conversation, not a procedure. The doctor will ask about your symptoms, how long you have had them, and how they affect your daily routine. You will also review your medical history, current medications, and family history, because many digestive conditions run in families. A physical exam is often part of the visit as well. The gastroenterologist may order follow-up tests such as blood work, stool tests, or imaging to get a clearer picture. At IDCC Health, that evaluation is led by gastroenterologist Cynthia Quainoo MD.

People often wonder whether they can eat before the appointment and whether they need a referral. For a first consultation, you can usually eat normally unless your doctor or the office tells you otherwise, and our guide to eating before a gastroenterology appointment walks through the details. You can often book a visit directly, though some insurance plans ask that you start with your primary care doctor and get a referral; our article on whether you need a referral to see a gastroenterologist explains how this works. Either way, it helps to keep your regular doctor in the loop. A family medicine physician such as Stella Geller DO can share your history with the GI team and coordinate follow-up care through Primary Care so nothing gets missed.

Before you arrive, gather a list of your current medications, any recent test results, and a simple timeline of when your symptoms started. It also helps to write down your questions, such as what tests might be needed and what preparation they involve. The first appointment is often just the starting point. Your care plan may include diet changes, medication, or further testing, and the team will review the next steps with you before you leave. If digestive symptoms make everyday tasks harder, Occupational Therapy can help you adapt routines at home and work.

Finding a Gastroenterologist in Sheepshead Bay

If you are looking for a gastroenterologist, you have several options. At IDCC Health, our Gastroenterology service is led by Dr. Cynthia Quainoo, who sees patients for a wide range of digestive concerns. Many people begin with a visit to Primary Care, where a family medicine doctor like Stella Geller can evaluate your symptoms and refer you if necessary.

Before your first appointment, you may wonder whether you can eat or drink. The answer depends on the type of visit. For a routine consultation, you can usually eat normally, but for certain tests you may need to fast. For more details, see our article on whether you can eat before a gastroenterology appointment. You also may not need a referral, depending on your insurance plan. Our guide on whether you need a referral explains the options. When you are ready to book, you can visit our office at 445 Kings Highway, which is convenient for many patients in the area.

If you prefer to go directly to a specialist, you can schedule with Dr. Quainoo without a referral in many cases. For more information about finding care in this part of Brooklyn, see our page for a Gastroenterologist in Sheepshead Bay. We also have offices at 201 Kings Highway and 2846 Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island, so you can choose the location that works best for you.

Your Digestive Health Care Team at IDCC Health

At IDCC Health, your digestive health care team is led by Cynthia Quainoo MD, a gastroenterologist who treats a wide range of conditions. She works alongside primary care doctors such as Stella Geller DO, a family medicine physician, so your care stays coordinated from the first visit onward. This means your regular doctor and your gastroenterologist can share information and build one plan together.

You can see Dr. Quainoo at the practice's Brooklyn offices, including 445 Kings Highway. If you are not sure whether you need a gastroenterology visit, starting with a primary care appointment is often the simplest first step. The team can help you decide what comes next. Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy can also play a role during recovery from a procedure or while you manage a long-term condition, so those services are available if your care plan includes them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about seeing a gastroenterologist. If a symptom worries you, do not wait to ask about it.

At IDCC Health, Cynthia Quainoo MD leads the Gastroenterology team. You can book care at 445 Kings Highway or 201 Kings Highway, whichever is more convenient. Your Primary Care doctor can also help you decide whether a specialist visit is the right next step.

• What does a gastroenterologist do? A gastroenterologist diagnoses and treats conditions of the digestive system. This includes acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, liver concerns, and more. For a full overview, visit the Gastroenterology service page.
• Do I need a referral to see a gastroenterologist? It depends on your insurance plan. Some plans let you book directly, while others ask you to start with your Primary Care doctor. Our guide Do I Need a Referral to See a Gastroenterologist? explains the options.
• Can I eat before a gastroenterology appointment? For a first visit, you may be able to eat normally, but some tests require fasting. Check Can I Eat Before a Gastroenterology Appointment? before you come so you know what to expect.
• What symptoms mean I should see a gastroenterologist? Blood in the stool, lasting changes in bowel habits, trouble swallowing, persistent heartburn, and unexplained weight loss are all reasons to make an appointment. The NCBI Bookshelf notes that digestive symptoms can have many causes, so a proper evaluation matters.
• Can hemorrhoids be removed during a colonoscopy? In some cases, yes. A gastroenterologist may be able to treat hemorrhoids during a colonoscopy if they are found. Our article Can Hemorrhoids Be Removed During a Colonoscopy? covers when this might be an option.
• Can a gastroenterologist treat a hernia? It depends on the type and location of the hernia. For a clear answer, see our article Does a Gastroenterologist Treat Hernias?.
• What if my digestive symptoms come with pain? Chronic abdominal pain can be complex. Along with gastroenterology care, our Pain Management team can help you find ways to feel more comfortable while you work on the underlying cause.
• Can stress make digestive symptoms worse? Yes. Stress can affect how your stomach and intestines work. If anxiety is adding to your symptoms, our Psychiatry team can help you manage it.

Related Articles

• Does a Gastroenterologist Treat Hernias?
• Can Hemorrhoids Be Removed During a Colonoscopy?
• Can I Eat Before a Gastroenterology Appointment?

Our Brooklyn Locations

• 2846 Stillwell Avenue (Coney Island)

Related Providers & Services

• Pain Management
• Neurology
• Cardiology
• Gynecology

Sources

• MedlinePlus: Digestive System
• NCBI Bookshelf