What Do Gastroenterologists Do?

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine dedicated to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your GI tract contains significant gastric organs, like your small intestine, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, colon, and liver. Any disruption in this important tract can have a gravely detrimental effect on your comprehensive wellness and needs to be evaluated by a master in the branch. Professionals in gastroenterology are known as gastroenterologists. GI Alliance is America's leading physician-led network of gastroenterologists (GI specialists), and we are devoted to supplying information and remedies that help our clients obtain better intestinal well-being. You can locate a local gastroenterologist by getting in touch with our staff. What does a GI physician achieve, and when should you visit one? Continue reading to learn.

Can we define a gastroenterologist?

Gastroenterologists need to perform around 5 – 6 years of specialized education in the field of gastroenterology after med school. These gastroenterologists have widely studied what good digestion and stool elimination look like, in addition to standard ailments and complaints that can hinder gastrointestinal operation. A GI physician obtains extensive education on how to carry out endoscopic procedures, such as an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy, which can all be carried out to recognize and provide care for various diseases of the digestive tract.

What does a gastroenterologist treat?

A GI doctor may provide care for an extensive variety of gut afflictions and situations. Some of the most extensively treated afflictions include:

• Celiac disease: The immune system reacts poorly to the consumption of gluten, which causes damage to the small intestines.

• Pancreatitis: This condition leads to inflammation of the pancreas.

• Gallbladder stones or cholelithiasis: When bile hardens into solid matter in the gallbladder, gallbladder stones are the outcome.

• Inflammatory bowel disease: Afflictions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease cause chronic inflammation in the GI system.

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD: This ailment is characterized by habitual and constant heartburn.

• Cancer: A gastroenterologist will help care for cancers of the gastrointestinal system, including colon and rectal cancer and gastric cancer.

As well as caring for the above afflictions, GI physicians commonly carry out regular colonoscopies to diagnose, address, and hinder colon cancer, which is among the leading reasons for cancer fatalities in America. You can locate a colonoscopy specialist near you through GI Alliance. A doctor in our network is available.

When should you see a gastroenterologist?

You should see a gastroenterologist when you are undergoing any signs or evidence of GI afflictions, such as:

• Serious or repetitive acid reflux

• Rectal bleeding

• Serious gas

• Chronic diarrhea

• Abdominal pain or discomfort

• Pale stools

• Persistent constipation

Even if you do not show all of the listed symptoms, we encourage you visit a gastroenterologist for standard colonoscopies. You should get routine colon cancer exams approximately at 45 years old and then once each decade if you are of low risk and your results are negative. If you are at elevated danger, such as possessing a family history of colon and rectal cancer or serious bowel disease, then it is typically recommended you receive exams sooner and more often. You can find a GI physician near you by calling GI Alliance.

Would you like to talk to a gastroenterologist at GI Alliance?

If you or a family member is suffering distressing digestive signs, you can have confidence in the GI doctors at GI Alliance to offer expert, patient-centric care. Our compassionate GI doctors are amid the top masters in the field, and our purpose is to achieve the best clinical standards. Get in touch with an office near you to learn more.