“Some diseases don’t just affect the body. They quietly take away a person’s confidence, routine, freedom, and peace of mind. And the hardest part is that most people suffering from them don’t even talk about it.

As a gastroenterologist, I don’t just treat diseases of the gut. I witness stories people are often too embarrassed to share.

Over time, I realised something very important — the gut is not just about digestion. It affects how you feel, how you live, how you socialise, and even how you see yourself. A person who cannot eat without fear can’t truly enjoy life. That understanding slowly drew me towards gastroenterology.

I come from Ongole in Prakasam district. Both my parents are school teachers by profession and come from small villages. They taught me the value of education, discipline, and service from a very young age.

My medical journey began at ASRAM Medical College, Eluru, in 2002, where I developed a strong interest in clinical medicine. Later, I pursued my MD from Manipal University and completed my Doctor of Medicine (DM) in Medical Gastroenterology at Osmania Medical College between 2014 and 2017.

In medical college, we are taught how to diagnose, treat, and manage complications. But no textbook truly prepares you for what patients go through emotionally. I still remember my early days in medicine — the long hours, uncertainty, and self-doubt. But more than anything, I remember the patients, because they are the ones who truly teach us what medicine means.

One patient changed my perspective completely. He wasn’t worried about reports or medications. He simply asked me, ‘Doctor, will I ever feel normal again?’ That question stayed with me because I realised we are not just treating diseases — we are trying to give people their lives back.

I still remember a young patient who stopped attending social gatherings because they constantly feared needing a washroom urgently. The illness slowly isolated them emotionally. Months later, after treatment helped them regain control, they smiled and said, ‘Doctor, I went out without fear today.’ That moment reminded me why empathy matters in medicine.

Gastroenterology is unique not because of its complexity, but because of the silence around it. People hesitate to talk about gut-related symptoms. They ignore warning signs, self-medicate, and delay seeking help because they feel embarrassed. And by the time many patients reach us, complications have already developed.

On this World IBD Awareness Day, I want people to understand that Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, is far more than just a ‘gas problem’ or a food issue. More than 5 million people worldwide are living with it, and the numbers in India are steadily rising, especially among young adults.

Many patients initially think it is just acidity or a temporary stomach issue. But IBD is a chronic condition where the body’s immune system attacks its own intestine. It causes pain, frequent bowel movements, fatigue, weight loss, and sometimes takes away the freedom to live normally.

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is: ‘Doctor, is this because of my diet?’ And I always say — no, it is not your fault. IBD is not caused by one food habit or one mistake. It is a complex condition involving immunity, genetics, and environment. In fact, more than 165 genes in the human body are known to predispose someone to IBD. It is predominantly a genetic problem rather than just a dietary issue. And most importantly, with the right treatment, many patients can lead completely normal lives.

To anyone silently struggling with this condition: please know this — you are not alone. Your condition is real, your struggles are valid, and help is available. Don’t let hesitation delay your care. Don’t let stigma control your life.

People often think doctors become stronger over time. In some ways, yes. But in many ways, we simply become more aware of how much people are silently going through. Medicine can be exhausting. There are days when outcomes don’t go as planned. Days when you carry patients’ pain with you even after leaving the hospital.

But what keeps me grounded is the trust patients place in me and the small victories — a symptom relieved, a fear reduced, a life made a little easier.

But what keeps me grounded is the trust patients place in me and the small victories — a symptom relieved, a fear reduced, a life made a little easier.

Because health is not just about living — it is about living with dignity. And no one should have to suffer in silence for something that can be treated, managed, and understood.

If this message reaches even one person who needed to hear it today, it is worth it.”

— Dr. Sarath Chandra Gorantla