What Does a Gastroenterologist Do? Understanding Digestive Health

What Is a Gastroenterologist?

A gastroenterologist is a physician who specialises in diagnosing and treating diseases of the digestive system. This includes the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver.

The meaning of 'gastroenterologist' is someone who is an expert in how food is transported and digested, how nutrients are absorbed, and how waste is removed. Gastroenterologists treat a wide range of conditions, such as acid reflux, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, colon polyps, and cancer. They perform endoscopic procedures for diagnosis and treatment while providing long-term management of chronic digestive diseases.

What Is a Paediatric Gastroenterologist?

A paediatric gastroenterologist is a specialist focused on diagnosing and treating digestive, liver, and nutritional disorders in children. They care for the same digestive organs as adult gastroenterologists, but with added expertise in childhood development and conditions.

Paediatric gastroenterologists evaluate symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, poor growth, and feeding problems. They manage disorders such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, and liver problems.

Using procedures like endoscopy, gastroenterologists diagnose and treat issues in an age-appropriate way. Their care involves a close partnership with parents to support the child's digestive health and overall well-being.

What Part of the Body Does a Gastroenterologist Focus on?

A gastroenterologist focuses on the entire digestive system, which encompasses multiple organs working together:

• Oesophagus
• Stomach
• Small intestine
• Colon and rectum
• Pancreas
• Liver
• Gallbladder and bile ducts

Gastroenterologists specialise in how food moves through the digestive tract, how it gets broken down and absorbed, and how waste products are eliminated. They also manage liver functions related to digestion. Because many digestive conditions involve several organs, gastroenterologists take an integrated approach. They use endoscopic methods and imaging to determine the root cause of symptoms and provide treatment that considers how the whole digestive system is functioning together.

Why Should You Go to a Gastroenterologist?

You should see a gastroenterologist if you have persistent symptoms like abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, constipation, diarrhoea, or rectal bleeding. A gastroenterologist's specialised training is associated with:

• Higher quality endoscopic screenings
• Better detection of growths and cancer
• Fewer complications from procedures

For chronic digestive diseases like GERD, inflammatory bowel disease, and pancreatitis, gastroenterologists provide expert long-term management. They also guide nutrition, perform advanced endoscopic interventions, and coordinate care with other specialists when needed. Visiting a gastroenterologist ensures thorough evaluation and treatment of both new and ongoing digestive concerns.

Diagnostic & Test Procedures Performed by Gastroenterologists

Gastroenterologists use several diagnostic tests and procedures:

• Endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera is used to examine the digestive tract. Upper endoscopy checks the oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine for conditions like ulcers, coeliac disease, and precancerous changes.
• Colonoscopy: This screens for colon polyps and cancer and evaluates causes of bleeding, diarrhoea, and inflammatory bowel disease. Precancerous growths can be removed during the procedure.
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): These provide detailed imaging of the pancreas and bile ducts to diagnose disorders and obtain biopsies.
• Capsule endoscopy: A pill-sized camera is swallowed to get images of the small intestine and check for bleeding or Crohn's disease.
• Liver biopsy and testing: This evaluates liver diseases like hepatitis, fatty liver, and cirrhosis.
• Esophageal manometry and pH monitoring: These tests assess swallowing function and acid reflux.

What Symptoms Should I Tell My Gastroenterologist About?

Tell your gastroenterologist if you have:

• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Trouble swallowing
• Heartburn
• Nausea or vomiting
• Chronic diarrhoea or constipation
• Rectal bleeding or black stools
• Unexpected weight loss
• Yellowish skin (jaundice)

Discuss any changes in your bowel habits or new, persistent symptoms.

What Does a Gastroenterologist Do?

A gastroenterologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats problems in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and liver. When you visit a gastroenterologist, they will:

• Take a detailed medical history, asking about your symptoms, diet, medications, and family health risks.
• Perform a physical exam to check for abdominal tenderness, swelling, or other clues.
• Order tests like blood work, stool sample analysis, or imaging scans.
• Perform endoscopic procedures to evaluate your digestive tract, including:
  • Upper endoscopy to check the oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine
  • Colonoscopy to examine the large intestine and rectum
  • Specialised endoscopies like ERCP to visualise the bile ducts and pancreas

During endoscopies, gastroenterologists can treat many conditions, for example, by removing polyps, widening narrowed areas, or stopping bleeding. For chronic diseases like GERD, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver disease, gastroenterologists will:

• Prescribe medications
• Recommend lifestyle and diet changes.
• Do regular check-ups and monitoring
• Coordinate care with surgeons or other doctors if needed.

In the hospital, gastroenterologists manage severe problems like GI bleeding, liver failure, and pancreatic inflammation. Studies show that having a gastroenterologist involved leads to shorter hospital stays and better patient outcomes. From cancer screenings to treating both common and complex digestive disorders, gastroenterologists help keep the gut healthy and working well.

Do Gastroenterologists Treat Cancer?

Yes, gastroenterologists are key in preventing, detecting, and treating cancers that affect the digestive system. This includes oesophageal, stomach, pancreatic, liver, gallbladder, intestinal, and colorectal cancers.

Gastroenterologists perform screening colonoscopies, which can prevent colorectal cancer by finding and removing precancerous polyps early. For patients with concerning symptoms, family history, or other risk factors, gastroenterologists use endoscopic procedures to obtain tissue biopsies and diagnose cancers throughout the digestive tract.

When cancer is found, gastroenterologists do important work in:

• Determining the cancer's stage and extent
• Relieving symptoms and complications like pain, blockages, or bleeding
• Delivering targeted therapies directly to tumours
• Placing feeding tubes to support nutrition during treatment
• Performing endoscopic palliative procedures to improve the quality of life

Gastroenterologists also monitor for cancer in high-risk patients, such as those with a family history, inherited syndromes, or chronic diseases like inflammatory bowel disease or fatty liver disease. They recommend screening schedules, preventive steps, and lifestyle changes to reduce cancer risk.

If you're experiencing persistent digestive troubles, don't suffer in silence. Reach out to a gastroenterologist who can help you find relief and take control of your gut health. Consider the comprehensive health checkups offered by Metropolis Healthcare, which include tests of liver and digestive function.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between a gastroenterologist and a proctologist?

A gastroenterologist specialises in diagnosing and treating the entire digestive system, from the oesophagus to the rectum, including the pancreas and liver. They focus on conditions like acid reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer screening, mainly using nonsurgical methods like endoscopy. A proctologist, on the other hand, is a surgeon who treats diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus, often through surgical procedures.

2. When to see a gastroenterologist?

You should see a gastroenterologist for persistent abdominal pain, bloating, or swallowing difficulties; chronic heartburn or acid reflux; diarrhoea or constipation lasting more than a few days; rectal bleeding, dark stools, or anaemia; ongoing nausea or vomiting; unexplained weight loss; yellowing skin or eyes; or a family history of digestive cancers. Regular colonoscopies are recommended from age 45, or earlier if you have risk factors.

3. Does a gastroenterologist treat piles?

Yes. Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat haemorrhoids with dietary advice, topical medications, rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, or surgical removal for severe cases. They can also determine if bleeding is due to haemorrhoids or another serious condition.

4. What is the cause of poor digestion?

Poor digestion can result from GERD, peptic ulcers, coeliac disease, IBD, IBS, pancreatic insufficiency, gallbladder disease, gastroparesis, infections, food intolerances, or medication side effects. Accurate diagnosis enables targeted treatment.