If you have unexplained or regular digestive concerns, such as abdominal pain or changes in your bowel habits, you've probably been urged to see a gastroenterologist, commonly known as a GI doctor.

A gastroenterologist is a specialist in digestive system disorders and diseases — which includes the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus) as well as the pancreas, liver, bile ducts, and gallbladder.

Here are six reasons to consider seeing a gastroenterologist:

1. Ongoing diarrhea
Many factors can cause diarrhea, including diet, infection, and some drugs. If your stool is consistently more liquid than solid, you should consult a gastroenterologist.

Chronic diarrhea can be caused by a variety of digestive problems, including IBS, IBD, and small bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The most prevalent cause of prolonged diarrhea is IBS. Fortunately, there are numerous therapy options available to your doctor to assist control your symptoms.

2. Constipation
The frequency of bowel movements varies from person to person, but less than three bowel movements per week are termed constipation. You may be constipated if your bowel movements are unusually tiny, firm, or difficult to pass.

Consult a gastroenterologist if you've been constipated for more than two weeks.

Constipation can have a variety of causes, and it can be difficult to manage on your own at home. A GI specialist can help you determine the likely cause of your constipation and recommend lifestyle changes and medications to help you have more regular bowel movements.

3. Frequent or severe heartburn
Heartburn shouldn't be a cause for alarm now and again, and the good news is that it can usually be treated at home.

If you have heartburn at least a couple of times a week, it could be a sign of GERD, a condition that can damage and scar the lining of the esophagus over time.

Because chronic acid reflux does not go away on its own, it is necessary to consult a specialist. If left untreated, GERD can permanently damage the esophagus. This damage can cause swallowing difficulties, painful ulcers, and possibly an increase in the risk of developing esophageal cancer.

4. Feeling unusually bloated
Bloating, which might feel like your stomach is full or tight, is frequently caused by problems that result in excess gas production, hypersensitivity to gas, or gas becoming lodged in your colon.

Constipation can induce bloating because the longer waste remains in your colon, the more likely it is to be fermented by resident bacteria, resulting in gas production. Bloating, on the other hand, can be a symptom of IBS, a food sensitivity such as lactose intolerance, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), or gastroparesis (partial stomach paralysis).

A gastroenterologist can help you determine the source of your bloating and the best way to treat it.

5. Sudden or severe abdominal pain
We've all had stomachaches, but severe abdominal pain that lasts for hours or comes on suddenly and violently is unusual.

A stomach ulcer, also known as a peptic ulcer, is a sore on the lining of your stomach or the first portion of your small intestine that can cause burning abdominal pain, especially after eating. Untreated ulcers can obstruct your digestive tract by causing swelling and scarring.

Consistently severe stomach pain could be the result of gallstones, pancreatitis, or liver disease. A gastroenterologist can help you figure out what's causing your discomfort.

6. Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
If you find blood on your toilet paper or when you flush the toilet, it could be hemorrhoids, a fairly common problem that can usually be treated at home or with over-the-counter medications.

Your hemorrhoids may not respond to these therapies. If so, a gastroenterologist can offer more advanced treatments that can help you receive relief.

Furthermore, don't automatically assume that blood in the toilet indicates hemorrhoids.

If you notice blood in your stool or have rectal bleeding that is accompanied by changes in your bowel habits or the color or consistency of your stool, you should consult a gastroenterologist very away. Rectal bleeding isn't necessarily a big deal, but it can indicate a serious medical problem like colorectal cancer.