Gastroenterology

Arriving at the right diagnosis is pivotal in offering the best course of treatment- this may involve medications, change in lifestyle, food habits and at times endoscopic techniques are used to deliver treatment.

Gastroenterology deals with the digestive system- functional and structural ailments of the gastrointestinal tract- food pipe, stomach, small intestine, large intestine along with the allied organs involved in digestive process, viz, Pancreas, Liver, Gall bladder & biliary tract.

Digestive diseases result from derangement of structure, function, movement of various digestive organs.

Commonly encountered digestive disorders include peptic ulcer disease, colon polyps and cancer, piles, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), hepatitis, acid reflux or heartburn(GERD), colitis ( Inflammatory Bowel disease), gallbladder, and biliary tract disease and pancreatitis.

Gastroenterologist has specialized training to diagnose and treat conditions such as:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Inflammatory bowel disease care (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
Peptic ulcer disease( duodenal ulcer, Gastric Ulcer)
Non ulcer dyspepsia
Cancers of esophagus, stomach, colon, Liver & pancreas

Prevention of colon cancer by removing Colonic polyps
Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD)/heartburn/ Acid reflux
Pin pointing cause of anemia
Endoscopic treatment for arresting gastrointestinal bleeding.
Endoscopic Balloon Therapy for Obesity management.

Frequently Asked Questions

“A gastroenterologist specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract. This includes the stomach, colon, digestive tract, esophagus, small intestine, rectum, gallbladder, liver, and pancreas among others.”

Gastrointestinal disorders range from mild to serious and are described as any health conditions that appear in the digestive tract. These include:

Heartburn
Gallstones
Pancreatitis
Gallbladder disease
Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Hemorrhoids
Rectal prolapse
Abnormal liver function
Peptic Ulcers and polyps
Colon Cancer
Crohn’s disease
Gastroenteritis
Infectious colitis

Abdominal angiogram
Colonoscopy to detect colon cancer
Upper GI endoscopy
Barium enema
Liver scan and biopsy
Abdominal ultrasound
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Endoscopic polyp removal
Bowel clearance
Appendectomy
Gastric bypass
Bowel surgery
Colostomy
Hemorrhoids treatment
Stent placement in the colon, bile duct, esophagus
Colon cancer

The most common symptoms that can require you to see a gastroenterologist include, but are not limited to:

Bloody stools
Stomach pain and discomfort
Changes in bowel habits
Rectal bleeding
Diarrhea
Severe and persistent heartburn
Bleeding in the digestive tract
Unexplainable weight gain or weight loss
Incontinence
Severe constipation

Gastroenterologists perform various procedures to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal conditions, including endoscopy (such as upper endoscopy and colonoscopy), biopsy, polypectomy (removal of polyps), liver biopsy, and imaging studies like ultrasound and MRI of the abdomen.

Your Gastroenterologist will provide detailed instructions, but generally, preparation for a colonoscopy involves a clear liquid diet, drinking a bowel preparation solution to cleanse the colon, and following specific timing instructions for food and drink intake before the procedure.

Risk factors for digestive disorders include a family history of gastrointestinal conditions, unhealthy diet (high in processed foods, low in fiber), sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and certain medications that can affect the digestive system.

Yes, making healthy lifestyle choices such as maintaining a balanced diet rich in fiber and nutrients, staying physically active, managing stress, avoiding excessive alcohol and tobacco use, and staying hydrated can significantly improve digestive health and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal problems.

Yes, gastroenterologists recommend various preventive screenings based on age, risk factors, and medical history. These may include colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening, endoscopy for detecting esophageal and stomach conditions, and liver screenings like ultrasound, fibroscan etc. especially for individuals at risk of liver disease (such as those with hepatitis or alcohol use disorder). Regular screenings can help detect problems early and improve outcomes.

Gastroenterology