Gastroenterologist

A gastroenterologist is a medical specialist who specializes in disorders involving the digestive system's organs and structures.

Gastroenterologists diagnose, treat, and care for individuals with a variety of diseases associated with the gut. Long-term disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease.

Gastroenterology is a sub-study of internal medicine.

It relates to the study of the diseases and function of the GI tract and the digestive system.

Gastroenterology includes a full understanding of:

•    the GI organs
•    the passage of material through the intestines and stomach
•    the digestion of the nutrients and absorption 
•    the waste removal from the body
•    the liver

What is a gastroenterologist?

A gastroenterologist who specializes in illnesses that affect the digestive organs.

These parts of the body include the:

Esophagus, or food pipe, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, or liver

A doctor must complete a 3-year internal medicine residency after medical school to become a gastroenterologist. They will undergo 2-3 years of intensive, advanced training, called a fellowship, following this residency.

Gastroenterologists also work closely with other healthcare specialists to provide treatment to a wide variety of individuals once they become certified.

A gastroenterologist may work with:

•    Hepatologists, whose study in the liver
•    Radiologists, whose study in imaging
•    Oncologists, whose study in cancer

Gastroenterologists play a role in diagnosing, treating, and handling individuals with conditions such as:

Colon polyps, colon cancer, celiac disease, hepatitis, heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), gallbladder disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or pancreatitis

Gastroenterologists perform several methods to diagnose, treat, and manage conditions.

These procedures include:

•    Endoscopy
•    Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy
•    Polypectomy
•    Esophageal dilation