What is a Gastroenterologist?
A Gastroenterologist is a physician with dedicated training management of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
What is Gastroenterology?
Gastroenterology is the study of the normal function and diseases of the:
- Esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Colon
- Rectum
- Pancreas
- Gallbladder
- Bile ducts
- Liver
It involves a detailed understanding of the normal action (physiology) of the gastrointestinal organs including the movement of material through the stomach and intestine (motility), the digestion and absorption of nutrients into the body, removal of waste from the system, and the function of the liver as a digestive organ.
What do Gastroenterologists treat?
A gastroenterologist also needs to have a clear understanding of ailments affecting the organs of the gastrointestinal system like:
- peptic ulcer disease
- gastric cancers
- esophageal cancers
- achalasia
- Barret’s esophagus
- colon polyps
- colon and bowel cancers
- pancreatitis
- pancreatic cancers
- cholecystitis
- biliary tract disease
- gallbladder stones and cancer
- hepatitis
- gastroesophageal reflux
- colitis
- nutritional problems and malabsorption
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- a host of other disease conditions
What makes Gastroenterologists different?
The unique training that Gastroenterologists complete provides them with the ability to provide high quality, comprehensive care for patients with a wide variety of gastrointestinal ailments. Gastroenterologists perform the bulk of research involving gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures as well as the interpretation of results, and are considered experts in the field.
It is this ability to provide more complete, accurate, and thorough care for patients with gastrointestinal conditions, which distinguishes Gastroenterologists from other physicians that provide some similar services.
WhatsApp