Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a board-certified gastroenterologist and the founder of GastroDoxs. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
He asks about the onset, duration and pattern of your epigastric pain, diarrhea or bleeding. He reviews recent travel, antibiotic use, food exposures and any immune-compromising conditions. A focused abdominal exam checks for tenderness, guarding or distention.
Routine labs include a complete blood count to look for elevated white cells, CRP/ESR for inflammation, and basic metabolic panel to assess hydration and electrolytes. He may also order liver function tests to rule out hepatobiliary causes.
If the cause remains unclear or symptoms are severe, Dr. Pothuri will perform a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy with targeted biopsies. He also orders stool studies-culture, C. difficile toxin assay or a multiplex PCR panel-to identify specific pathogens and guide therapy.
Dr. Pothuri has treated more than 1.5K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
It is caused by infections from bacteria, viruses, or parasites that inflame the colon.
Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and sometimes blood in stools.
Your doctor may order stool tests, blood tests, and a colonoscopy to identify the infection.
Treatment depends on the cause but may include antibiotics, hydration, and supportive care.
Good hygiene, safe food handling, and clean water reduce the risk of infection.
If you have severe diarrhea, dehydration, fever, or blood in stools, seek medical care promptly.
Most cases resolve with treatment, but severe infections may cause complications if untreated.
