Gut and digestive health in Serangoon Garden
Bloating, reflux, tummy pain or changes in your bowels can affect every part of your day. Our doctors at Ashford Medical Centre can find the cause, arrange the right tests, and help you feel better, with gut microbiome testing available for those who want to look deeper.
Book on WhatsAppCall 6288 2789Common problems we help with
Bloating and wind
Often linked to diet, eating habits or food intolerances, and sometimes to an underlying condition.
Acid reflux and heartburn
A burning feeling in the chest or a sour taste, often worse after meals or when lying down.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Recurring tummy pain with bloating, diarrhoea, constipation or both. Common, and manageable with the right plan.
Constipation and diarrhoea
Short-term or long-lasting changes in how often or how easily you open your bowels.
Stomach pain and H. pylori
Indigestion or upper tummy pain can be caused by gastritis, ulcers or H. pylori, a common stomach infection that can be tested for and treated.
Food intolerances
Such as lactose intolerance, which can cause bloating and diarrhoea after dairy.
See a doctor promptly if you have
- Blood in your stool, or black, tarry stools
- Weight loss you cannot explain
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing, or persistent vomiting
- A lasting change in your bowel habits, especially if you are over 40
- Severe or worsening tummy pain
- A family history of bowel or stomach cancer
How we help
Consultation and examination
We go through your symptoms, diet, medicines, stress and family history, and examine you.
The right tests
Depending on your symptoms, this may include blood tests, stool tests, tests for H. pylori, or a referral for a gastroscopy or colonoscopy.
Your treatment plan
Practical changes to what and how you eat, medicines where needed, and advice on whether probiotics are worth trying for your situation.
Follow-up
We check how you are doing and adjust the plan, or refer you to a gastroenterologist if needed.
Gut microbiome testing
AMILI Gut Microbiome Test
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, known as the gut microbiome, which play a part in digestion, immunity and metabolism. The AMILI test analyses the bacteria in a stool sample you collect at home and gives you a report on your gut microbiome, with personalised diet and lifestyle suggestions.
- A simple stool sample collected at home with the test kit
- A report on the variety and balance of your gut bacteria
- Personalised diet and lifestyle suggestions
When our doctors may suggest it
Research is increasingly linking the gut microbiome to health beyond digestion. Alongside your usual care, our doctors may suggest a gut microbiome test for:
Ongoing gut symptoms
Bloating, IBS-type symptoms or bowel changes, once other causes have been checked.
Skin conditions
Chronic or recurrent rashes, eczema, and urticaria (hives).
Allergies
Including allergic rhinitis (sneezing, blocked or runny nose).
Mood and wellbeing
Anxiety and low mood or depression, as part of a wider plan with your other care.
After antibiotics
Repeated or long courses of antibiotics can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria.
Long-term health
As part of our longevity medicine assessment.
Microbiome science is still developing. The test does not diagnose disease and is not a substitute for seeing a doctor about symptoms. If you have gut symptoms, please book a consultation first so we can rule out other causes.
Stomach cancer screening
Stomach cancer is more common in East Asia than in many other parts of the world, and long-term H. pylori infection is a key risk factor. Our Horizon screening includes a GastroClear blood test for stomach cancer and a test for H. pylori. For bowel cancer, a yearly stool test (FIT) is recommended from age 50 in Singapore, and our doctor will advise if you need a colonoscopy.
Probiotics
Probiotics may help with some problems, such as diarrhoea linked to antibiotics, but different strains do different things and they are not right for everyone. Ask our doctor whether a probiotic is likely to help you. You can also find the probiotics we stock in the gut health section of our shop.
Gut health and long-term health
Your gut affects your energy, weight, blood sugar and immunity, which is why it is part of our longevity medicine service.
Dr Namthep Sachathep (Dr Nam)
Clinical Director at Ashford Medical Centre. Gut and microbiome health is one of Dr Nam's special interests, along with longevity medicine, sleep, and sports and injury.
Gut health FAQs
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book a consultation with our doctor directly on WhatsApp or by phone.
Should I do a microbiome test if I have symptoms?
See our doctor first. Symptoms such as bloating, pain or bowel changes need a proper assessment, and a microbiome test is not designed to diagnose them.
Can a gut test help with eczema, hives, allergies or anxiety?
Studies have found links between the gut microbiome and conditions such as eczema, urticaria, allergies, anxiety and depression, and this is an active area of research. A gut test can show the balance of your gut bacteria and guide diet and lifestyle changes, but it does not replace the usual treatment for these conditions. Our doctor will advise whether it is worth doing for you.
Do I need a colonoscopy?
It depends on your symptoms, age and family history. Our doctor will advise you and refer you to a specialist if it is needed.
Can H. pylori be treated?
Yes. It is usually treated with a course of medicines prescribed by your doctor, followed by a test to check it has cleared.
Are probiotics worth taking?
They can help in some situations, such as during or after antibiotics, but the evidence varies between products and conditions. Our doctor can advise you.
