GI Urgent Care Q&A

Urgent care can help with many gastrointestinal (GI) issues, making it an excellent principal point of contact for concerns of varying severity and complexity.
 
GI issues affect the gastrointestinal tract and can be classified as structural or functional. Symptoms can include abnormal bowel habits, abdominal pain, unexplained weight changes, excess gas, and fatigue. These symptoms fall under a broad range of potential conditions such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, anal fissures, colon polyps, and cancer.
 
While some GI issues may resolve at home, others require medical attention, especially if they persist for a week or longer or severely impact an individual’s ability to function or quality of life. Providers at urgent care centers, like Reddy Urgent Care, can examine and diagnose various GI issues and provide treatment. They have access to screening services and on-site lab testing to help identify a range of potential GI problems.
 
In cases where GI issues indicate a more complex concern, referrals to specialists are available for patients requiring specialized treatment. This ensures that patients receive the comprehensive care they need for their GI symptoms.

There is a wide range of symptoms associated with GI problems because they encompass a broad category of concerns linked to various health conditions.
 
Urgent care can provide swift relief from many different GI symptoms while identifying the underlying cause and prescribing necessary treatments. Common gastrointestinal symptoms that prompt individuals to visit urgent care include bloating, cramping, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, incomplete bowel movements, rectal bleeding, and other changes in bowel habits.
 
Some patients may also experience weakness or fatigue associated with GI symptoms, especially if these conditions persist or present severely. It is important to visit urgent care for GI problems that do not improve on their own or that significantly disrupt daily functionality. This allows for a quick identification of the cause of the GI concern and the administration of appropriate treatment.

A wide range of GI issues can be treated at GI urgent care. While some GI issues may require specialist care or involve severe conditions necessitating an emergency room visit, urgent care facilities can address many common gastrointestinal concerns. GI issues that don’t go away on their own or that severely affect a person’s quality of life should be treated at urgent care to quickly identify the cause and administer necessary treatment. Providers will perform a physical examination, review medical history, and order additional testing as needed.
 
Reddy Urgent Care has access to lab services, an on-site X-ray clinic, and other advanced diagnostic measures to identify and treat various GI issues. Common GI issues treated at urgent care include constipation, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), IBS, and food poisoning.
 
Treatments might include prescribed medications to control symptoms, over-the-counter medications, and health and lifestyle guidance to ease symptoms and prevent future GI concerns. In cases where more complex concerns are identified, such as potential cancer, referrals can be made to specialists to ensure patients receive the appropriate care.

Deciding whether to go to GI urgent care or the ER depends on several factors. The primary distinction is that the ER is intended for severe, life-threatening health risks that necessitate immediate treatment.
 
For conditions that do not reach this level of emergency but still benefit from immediate care, urgent care facilities like Reddy Urgent Care offer an excellent option. Patients can access the same quality of care at a much more affordable rate and with shorter wait times at urgent care compared to the ER.
 
Certain signs and symptoms indicate a need to visit the ER rather than urgent care. These include severe and persistent GI issues accompanied by additional symptoms such as dizziness, vision changes, fever, neck pain, blood in the stool or vomit, chest pain, and more.
 
Individuals who are pregnant, have a medical history involving surgical procedures such as abdominal surgery or gastric bypass, or have other significant health concerns may also need to go to the ER. For many other GI conditions, urgent care provides an effective and affordable solution, ensuring patients receive timely and appropriate care for their health needs.
 
Gastrointestinal (GI) treatment is available at Reddy Urgent Care. For more information, contact us. Walk-in visits are welcome. We have convenient locations to serve you. We serve patients from Downtown Long Beach CA, Bixby Knolls Long Beach CA,  East Side CA, Paramount CA, Los Altos CA, and surrounding areas.