Certain delicate medical issues, such as those affecting your digestive system, could require more specialized treatment than what your primary care physician usually offers. Your primary care physician will frequently suggest that you see a gastroenterologist. If you have any signs of a digestive health condition or if you require colon cancer screening, you should consult a gastroenterologist.
Regularly visiting gastroenterologist results in an earlier diagnosis of polyps and cancer, fewer procedure-related problems, and shorter hospital stays.
Who is a gastroenterologist?
A doctor who specialises in diseases and problems of the stomach, intestines, oesophagus, liver, pancreas, colon, and rectum is known as a gastroenterologist. Our gastroenterologists have completed an additional 20 years of training and have extensive knowledge of these gastrointestinal disorders.
What is the role of a gastroenterologist?
Your gastrointestinal (digestive) system and other bodily systems that communicate with the digestive system are both affected by diseases and ailments that a gastroenterologist treats. Your mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts are all included in this. They enquire about your medical history and any symptoms you may be experiencing, just like other doctors.
A wide range of tests, including minimally invasive techniques to examine the inside of your oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, are used by gastroenterologists to identify gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and conditions. In addition, they could request stool and blood tests to aid in diagnosis.
Reasons for Doctors to Refer Patients to Gastroenterologists
Gastroenterologists use sophisticated tools and methods to precisely diagnose and treat gastrointestinal conditions as well as some types of cancer. Before deciding whether or not you need to be sent to a specialist, you may want to first see your normal doctor if your symptoms are new or mild so they may perform some initial testing.
Here are some common signs that you should consult a gastroenterologist:
Abnormal Bowel Movements
A visit to the gastroenterologist may be necessary if your bowel movements have changed in quality or frequency. There are a few atypical gastrointestinal disorders, such as:
Constipation
A condition in which you have fewer than three bowel motions each week is known as constipation. This could be brought on by a blockage, neurological problems, hormonal or muscle imbalances, nutrition, or other things.
- Diarrhoea: If they last for more than a few days, they may be the result of a virus, parasite, or bacteria, lactose intolerance, an adverse drug reaction, or another digestive illness like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
- Excessive Gas: While not always a sign of digestive issues, excessive gas together with other symptoms can be an indication of lactose intolerance.
- Pale or Light-Coloured Stool: Prolonged light-coloured stools may be a sign of a variety of illnesses, including gallbladder disease, liver or pancreatic disorders, bile duct abnormalities, and more.
The Rectal Bleeding
It’s possible that your digestive tract is bleeding if you find blood in your faeces. Haemorrhoids, an anal fissure (a tiny cut or tear in the tissue lining the anus), or another illness requiring medical treatment, such as cancer, maybe the reason for this.
Chronic Heartburn
Heartburn that is unpleasant and persistent may be a sign of oesophageal cancer, Barrett’s oesophagus, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), among other digestive problems.
Bloating and abdominal pain
A gastroenterologist should be consulted if you experience prolonged or chronic stomach pain or bloating, especially if the symptoms persist after almost every meal or are accompanied by nausea or unpleasant bowel movements.
Stomach Ulcers
Peptic ulcers are sores that can develop on the lining of your stomach, small intestine, or oesophagus. They are marked by burning stomach pain and indigestion. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) or bacterial infection (Helicobacter pylori) are the most frequent causes, and medication or antibiotics may be needed for therapy.
Jaundice
Due to an overabundance of bilirubin in the blood, this illness can result in the yellowing of the skin and eye whites. It frequently shows up because of problems with the blood or liver, such as gallstones, haemolytic anaemia, swollen bile ducts, or liver damage brought on by alcohol.
Having Trouble Swallowing
Dysphagia, or trouble swallowing, makes it more difficult and time-consuming to get food or fluids from your mouth to your stomach. It may also cause chest pain or make it impossible for you to swallow. This may be brought on by neurological conditions, achalasia, acid reflux, and even some types of cancer.
Unaccounted-for Weight Loss
An underlying ailment such as chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or a peptic ulcer can be indicated by a fast, unexpected loss in body weight, such as losing 5 percent within six to twelve months.
Procedures Performed by Gastroenterologists
On one of your initial visits, your doctor might recommend a screening technique to identify the problem’s origin and diagnose it for therapy, such as:
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopies are frequently used to check for colon polyps, colorectal cancer, and other problems involving the large intestine. In order to check your colon for anomalies, they entail inserting a colonoscope—a protruding, long, flexible tube with a tiny video camera on the end—into your rectum.
If there are any indications of rectal bleeding, persistent constipation, diarrhoea, or other intestinal issues, doctors may advise taking this.
Upper endoscopy
Upper endoscopies are performed to look at the oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine in the upper part of your digestive system. A long, thin camera is inserted via your mouth and upper digestive tract during them.
If you’ve experienced symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, trouble swallowing, or gastrointestinal bleeding, your doctor might advise upper endoscopies. In order to record photos of your small intestine, they also provide capsule endoscopies, which entail swallowing a vitamin-sized capsule with a camera.
What Kinds of Procedures Are Performed by Gastroenterologists?
Apart from treatments like polypectomies and biopsies, gastroenterologists perform endoscopic surgery. They specialise in the non-surgical diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders, but if surgery is required, they can refer you to a qualified surgeon. They can even collaborate with your surgeon before and after your procedure to supervise and offer advice on the best course of action for your particular situation. Variceal banding, stenting, dilatation and stone removal from bile and pancreatic ducts can be done by various endoscopic techniques.