Do you have pain in your stomach, along with other uncomfortable symptoms such as nausea and vomiting? Are you experiencing lactose intolerance? Do you need colon cancer screening? You need to see our gastroenterology specialist.
A gastroenterology specialist or gastroenterologist is a medical doctor who practices gastroenterology. Gastroenterology is thestudy of the normal function and diseases of the food pipe (esophagus), stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon, rectum, anus), liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. It involves diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the digestive tract and related organs.
In this article, we will explore the world of gastroenterology, including the importance of digestive health, who gastroenterologists are, and what diagnostic testing and treatments a gastroenterologist offers.
The Importance of Digestive Health
The importance of good health of your digestive system for your overall well-being cannot be overstated.Our digestive system is responsible for extracting essential nutrients and minerals from the food that we consume and delivering them to our cells. Moreover, our gut contains a network of neurons that communicate with the brain through a nerve called the vagus nerve. This way, our digestive system influences our emotions, mood, and mental health.
It is pertinent to mention that our digestive system plays a crucial role in supporting our immune system. It has good microbes and harmful microbes. Our gut’s healthy microbes help regulate the immune system and protect us from harmful pathogens.
The disorders of the digestive system can cause a wide range of problems, from minor pain and discomfort to life-threatening conditions.The distressing symptoms of digestive tract disorder can limit our daily activities and social interactions. By nurturing the health of our gastrointestinal tract and related organs, we canincrease our energy levels, enhance mental clarity, improve our overall quality of life, and enjoy a greater sense of vitality.
Who Gastroenterologist Are?
A gastroenterologist is a medical professional who specializes in health conditions affecting your digestive system and related organs. They begin as general physicians and complete three years of residency training after medical school. In this training, they learn about treating various diseases and conditions. To become a gastroenterologist, they complete at least three years of specialized study in the field of gastroenterology.
After specialized education and training in the field of gastroenterology,a gastroenterologist receives a special certificate that designates them as experts in diagnosing, treating, and preventing gastrointestinal diseases and conditions.
Diagnostic Tests Involved in the Gastroenterology
In addition to assessing your symptoms and performing a physical examination, our gastroenterology specialist may order diagnostic tests, such as poop tests, blood tests, or imaging tests like X-ray exams.
Additionally, they may also perform various diagnostic procedures that may includeupper endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, enteroscopy, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, anorectal manometry, endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERPC) and polypectomy.
These exams give a gastroenterology specialist a more detailed view of your body to see how things are working and what problem might be causing your gastrointestinal symptoms. They may also take tissue samples from your digestive tract through an endoscope and send them to the labfor diagnosis.
Gastroenterology Conditions That a Gastroenterologist Treats
A gastroenterology specialist can diagnose and treat the following health conditions related to GIT and related organs.
- Disorders of the esophagus,which include esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), swallowing difficulties, and hiatal hernias.
- Diseases of the stomach and intestines,which includeinflammatory bowel disease (IBD), inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, food allergies and lactose intolerances, stomach ulcers, appendicitis, colorectal polyps, hemorrhoids, small intestine bacterial overgrowth.
- Pancreatic gallbladder and biliary diseases,which include pancreatitis, gallstones, and cholecystitis.
- Liver diseases,which include toxic hepatitis, fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
It is pertinent to mention here that the field of gastroenterology also involves diagnosing, staging, or treating cancer of the stomach, colon and rectum, duodenum, small intestine, esophagus, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and bile duct.
Gastroenterology in Brooklyn and Westlake, OH
At North Shore Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Centers, we have a team of board-certified GI doctors who can provide acomprehensive range of innovative and individualized services for all gastroenterology needs. Our gastroenterologists are committed to providing our patients with timely and accurate gastrointestinal diagnosis and treatment so that they can live a better-quality life.
In addition to providing treatment for an imaginable number of digestive tract disorders, our highly trained and skilled doctors are also well-versed in providing a wide range of diagnostic and screening procedures such as endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, enteroscopy, to name a few. We have two locations that are conveniently located near major highways.
If you would like to know more about the gastroenterology services we offer at our gastroenterology center or to schedule a one-on-one consultation with one of our GI doctors, call us today at (440) 808-1212 or use our online request form.