Gastroenterologists focus on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of the digestion system. This includes:
Biliary ducts (bile ducts)
Colon
Gallbladder
Large intestine
Liver
Pancreas
Rectum
Small intestinal
Stomach
For instance, a person with Crohn's disease (an inflammatory intestinal disease) can also suffer from skin rashes, fevers, and arthritis. In contrast, immune-mediated conditions are linked to GI conditions like gastritis and acid reflux, and many diseases affect the liver.
Since gastrointestinal tract symptoms can be a sign of systemic illnesses, Gastroenterologists often collaborate with other specialists in different medical fields.
The terms gastroenterology and digestive have similar meanings; however, they are not identical. Gastroenterology, a noun, refers to the medical discipline which focuses on the digestive system. Gastrointestinal is an adjectival term commonly used to refer to the digestive tract in its entirety. Gastroenterologists are specialists in the research diagnostics, treatment, and diagnosis of the digestive (GI) tract.
Gastroenterologists can be mistaken for colon or rectal surgeons. Though gastroenterologists are skilled in various procedures, they do not do surgery.
Specialized Training
A gastroenterologist is a doctor of medicine (MD) (also known as a doctor of osteopathy (DO) who is specialized in gastroenterology. They are also known as GI doctors, which is short for gastroenterologists.
After finishing medical school, gastroenterologists must complete a three-year residency in internal medicine. The majority of trainees must also complete two to three years of gastroenterology fellowship to receive additional training. Some gastroenterologists are more specialized within their field and eventually become experts within specific areas like pediatric gastroenterology and liver disorders.
Treatment of the Broad Range of Gastroenterology Conditions
The conditions that are treated in gastroenterology usually have a link with the rest of the body.
Thomas D. Schiano, MD, Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Gastroenterology is a broad field of illnesses and conditions. According to the type of problem, the patient may need to visit an emergency department at a hospital or urgent-care center for urgent need for a consultation with a gastroenterologist or an appointment with a gastroenterologist that is not urgent. The type of care that people require is based on the severity of their pain and symptoms and overall health.
For instance, the slight abdominal pain could necessitate a non-urgent visit to a gastroenterologist; however, acute abdominal pain with fever and black and tarry stools may need a visit to the emergency department. In addition, those who suffer from chronic illnesses like heart issues or diabetes could require sooner than those with no health issues.
Make sure you visit the Emergency Department.
The public should immediately visit the nearest emergency department of a hospital If they are experiencing or suspect they are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
Bloody vomiting
Clostridium difficile ("c. diff") infection
Chest pain
Intestinal obstruction
Pancreatitis
Parasitic infection
Breathing shortness
Severe abdominal pain
Stools that are bloody or black are often accompanied by fainting or lightheadedness.
Visit Urgent Care or see a gastroenterologist for an urgent appointment
It is recommended that people schedule an appointment for urgent care with a gastroenterologist or go to an urgent care provider in their area when they notice or suspect the following symptoms:
Moderate abdominal discomfort
The acute diarrhea isn't going completely
Foodborne illnesses
Nausea and vomiting
Bloody or black stool
Visit a Gastroenterologist for an appointment that is not urgent.
It is recommended that people make a not-urgent visit to a gastroenterologist when they have one of the following:
Achalasia
Acid reflux/gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Consequences of the gastrointestinal tract of AIDS
Alagille syndrome
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Anal cancer
Anal fissure
Anal fistula
Anal Squamous cell cancer
Anemia
Ascites
Barrett's Esophagus
Bile-duct stones
Biliary-tract disorders
Budd-Chiari syndrome
Byler's disease
Celiac disease
Changes in bowel habits
Cirrhosis
Colon cancer
Colonic motility dysfunction
Colon ischemia
Colon melanoma
Colon polyps
Crohn's disease
Cronkhite-Canada syndrome
Cystic Fibrosis
Diaphragmatic hernia
Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
Diverticulosis
Diverticulitis
Eosinophilic esophagitis
Esophageal cancer
Esophageal spasms
Fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Incontinence femoral
Frequent belching
Frequent constipation
Frequent gas
Frequent indigestion (dyspepsia)
Gallstones
Gallstone pancreatitis
Gastritis
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Gastrointestinal cancers
Gastrointestinal-tract lymphoma
Gastroparesis
Helicobacter Pylori (h. Pylori) infection
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Hemochromatosis inherited from the family
Hiatal hernia
Hypereosinophilic Syndrome
Inflammatory intestinal disease (IBD)
Intestinal cancer
Intraductal papillary Mucinous Neoplasm
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Juvenile polyposis syndrome
Lactose intolerance
Liver cancer
Liver disease
Liver lymphoma
Lynch syndrome
Malabsorption syndrome
Mesenteric ischemia
Disorders of Motility
Obesity
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cysts
Peptic-ulcer disease
Polyposis syndrome
Pouchitis
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Primary Sclerosis Cholangitis
Rectal cancer
Rectal melanoma
Rectal prolapse
Rumination syndrome
Short-bowel syndrome
Small-bowel cancer
Small-bowel ischemia
Stomach cancer
Ulcerative colitis
Urinary tract infection
Management of weight
Whipple's disease
Wilson disease
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome