Insights | Dr. Vikram J. Rao

Insights

Plain-language articles on common gastrointestinal symptoms and when they're worth a doctor's assessment, written by Dr. Vikram J. Rao.

Symptoms

Featured

Blood in Stool: Common Causes and When to See a Doctor

Seeing blood when you use the toilet is alarming, but it's also common, and most causes are minor and treatable. This page explains the usual reasons for it, what might need urgent attention, and what a doctor will typically do to find the cause.

Symptoms

Persistent Bloating and Abdominal Pain: When It's More Than Digestion

Everyone gets bloated occasionally. This page explains the everyday causes, the pattern of symptoms that's worth getting checked, and what a doctor typically looks for when bloating or abdominal pain doesn't settle.

Conditions

A Lump or Swelling in the Groin: Could It Be a Hernia?

A hernia happens when part of the abdomen's contents pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle wall. It's one of the most common reasons for a lump or swelling in the groin or abdomen, and this page explains what to look out for.

Symptoms

Jaundice Explained: From Gallstones to Pancreatic Conditions

Jaundice, a yellow tinge to the skin and the whites of the eyes, happens when a substance called bilirubin builds up in the blood. It always needs a doctor's assessment, since the underlying cause can range from a blocked bile duct to liver or pancreatic conditions.

Symptoms

Chronic Constipation and Straining: From Simple Fixes to Seeing a Surgeon

Constipation is common and usually improves with simple changes. This page covers what typically helps, the warning signs that mean it's time to see a doctor, and when persistent straining points to a problem worth a specialist's assessment.