The medical specialty of gastroenterology is concerned with the condition of the liver and digestive tract. From hepatitis C to irritable bowel disease, gastroenterologists treat it all.
A gastroenterologist does what?
The main illnesses that gastroenterologists identify and treat are gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.
Your doctor will probably advise you to see a gastroenterologist for a more thorough evaluation if they discover a problem with your GI tract.
Endoscopic operations are carried out by gastroenterologists, who see the GI system and make diagnosis using specialist equipment.
Although they don’t do surgery, they might collaborate closely with a gastrointestinal surgeon. Their main places of employment are clinics or hospitals.
Health issues that gastroenterologists are able to identify and manage
During their training, gastroenterologists are taught to be very aware of:
the normal passage of food through the intestines and stomach
The process by which nutrients are absorbed
How the liver aids in digestion and how waste is eliminated from the body
Their specialization enables them to identify problems like:
Colon polyps, GERD, hepatitis, colitis, gallbladder and biliary tract disorders, nutritional disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn)
Despite the fact that the mouth is a part of the GI system, gastroenterologists often do not treat or treat this area. Rather, oral cavity health is the primary focus of dentists and dental experts.
Proctologists, who treat disorders of the rectum and anus, are not the same as gastroenterologists.
Which procedures are carried out by gastroenterologists?
A variety of nonsurgical treatments are carried out by gastroenterologists:
Double balloon enteroscopy with capsule endoscopy:Examine the intestines.
Cholangangiopancreatography using endoscopic retrograde: detects tumors or stones in the bile duct region.
Insertion of the feeding tube: to place feeding tubes inside the abdomen
An upper endoscopy; aids in the diagnosis of stomach, small intestinal, and esophageal disorders.
The colonoscopy; able to identify colon polyps or colon cancer
The liver biopsy; which measures inflammation and fibrosis in the liver
Gastroenterology: What is it?
The GI tract is the center of the specialty field of gastroenterology. While some gastroenterologists specialize in treating a specific form of GI disease, others treat all types.
Among the potential areas of focus are:
biliary and pancreatic disorders
Chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, often known as inflammatory bowel disease (GERD), gastrointestinal cancer, liver surveillance, and reflux motility
What kind of schooling and training are necessary to become a gastroenterologist?
To become a gastroenterologist, one must normally meet the following requirements:
a four-year university degree
Four years of medical school
a 3-year internal medicine residency that involves professional mentoring and practice and training with seasoned gastroenterologists
To obtain additional specialized training in this area, you must finish a two- or three-year fellowship after completing residency. This involves endoscopic training.
You have to pass a gastroenterology specialist certification exam after completing your training. After passing the test, you receive your certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine.
When is the right time to consult a gastroenterologist?
A gastroenterologist may be recommended by your physician if you:
have blood in your stool for no apparent reason, have trouble swallowing, have sudden or intense stomach pain, have digestive problems like persistent diarrhea or constipation, have heartburn or acid reflux all the time, are due for a colonoscopy, or feel abnormally bloated
For preventive treatment, you might also want to see a gastroenterologist if you’re over 45 because you may be at higher risk for colon cancer.
Which gastrointestinal problem symptoms are most prevalent?
The following are typical indicators of gastrointestinal disorders:
ache in the stomach, heartburn, reflux
Unusual or abrupt weight fluctuations, bowel movements, or bloody stools