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1. Who is a gastroenterologist?
A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in analysis as well as treatment of disorders of gastrointestinal tract and liver. Gastroenterology is basically a branch of medicine which deals with diseases which affect the gastrointestinal tract, which encompasses organs from your mouth till the anus.
2. Disorders of which body parts are treated by a Gastroenterologist?
Disorders of your stomach, liver, entire digestive tract, oesophagus, small intestine, rectum, colon, pancreas, gall bladder and bile ducts are treated by a gastroenterologist
3. Can a Gastroenterologist perform colonoscopy?
Yes, a gastroenterologist can perform colonoscopy. As a gastroenterologist receives special training in treating gastrointestinal diseases, he or she can easily perform colonoscopy.
4. Is endoscopy safe?
Yes, endoscopy is a totally safe procedure. In only very rare cases, complications crop up and these include bleeding. The risk of bleeding complications after an endoscopy is increased if the process involves the removal of a piece of tissue for the purpose of testing (this is known as biopsy) or treatment of any kind of digestive system disease.
5. When should one consult a Gastroenterologist immediately?
You should consult a gastroenterologist immediately if you experience diarrhoea or are suffering from constant heartburn, you suspect gall stones, your diet is leading to bloating in the body, ulcer in stomach, constipation or you have to get a colonoscopy done. Cancer screening is also done by gastroenterologists.
Branch of science that deals with the study of the gastrointestinal tract and other digestive system organs like the gallbladder, liver, pancreas, bile duct is called Gastroenterology. Gastroenterologists are medical professionals who specialize in the branch of gastroenterology. They are trained in examining, diagnosing, and treating diseases and disorders related to the digestive system organs.
A 5-year medical degree [MBBS] that is recognized by the General Medical Council and a 2-year foundation course of general training are the basic requirements for an individual to be a doctor. However, following are the specialties or extra qualifications required to be a Gastroenterologist:
Endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure, but not surgery. During this procedure, an endoscope which is a thin long tube with a camera and light at one end goes through the mouth, so that Gastroenterologist can check the upper digestive tract for any abnormalities or take a biopsy. Usually, endoscopy is not a painful procedure, but most people feel discomfort. If an individual is not ready for the procedure, the doctor may give local anesthesia to numb the particular area of the body.
Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat diseases related to digestive system organs such as the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, intestines, gallbladder, colon, and rectum. Following are few medical conditions that they treat:
No, Gastroenterologists do not perform surgeries, they can perform diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopies, and biopsies, etc.
Gastroenterologists can treat polyps that occurred mostly on the inner lining of the colon. Polyps are the abnormal growths that occur in different areas of the gastrointestinal tract. Removal of polyps will never have a chance to turn into cancer. Polypectomy is important in preventing colorectal cancer.
Following are some of the non-surgical procedures performed by Gastroenterologists:
A colonoscopy needs a cleansing preparation of the colon the day before the procedure so that the colon can be fully visualized. This can be done by drinking a lot of fluids that cause emptying of the colon. The Gastroenterologist will suggest the dietary plan a week before the appointment for the procedure. It is necessary to follow all the instructions carefully given by the doctor.