Do you often have stomach problems? Do you also suffer from problems like feeling full, gassy, indigestion, and heartburn? If these problems persist despite taking medication from a regular doctor, it may be time for you to see a doctor who specializes in this. That specialist is what we call a `Gastroenterologist`. Today, let's talk about who this doctor is, what he does, and when you should see him.
Simply put, who is this Gastroenterologist?
A `Gastroenterologist` is a doctor who specializes in diseases that affect our digestive system . Imagine, they first train as a general doctor. After their MBBS degree, they work as a general doctor for about three years, gaining experience in all kinds of diseases. After that, they focus only on the digestive system, and then undergo another three years of specialized training .
It is only after this special training that they receive certification as a specialist in this field. This allows them to perform special tests (such as endoscopy) that a regular doctor cannot perform, and to accurately analyze those test reports to accurately diagnose the disease.
Are there such specialist doctors for young children?
Yes, absolutely. We call them `Pediatric Gastroenterologist`. These doctors first train as Pediatricians. Then, as mentioned earlier, they undergo another three years of specialized training in diseases of the digestive system and liver of young children, from babies to young adults.
As children's bodies grow, these doctors pay special attention to their nutrition. A small child does not know how to properly express his or her problems. So, these doctors have a special ability to accurately understand the symptoms of those children and examine their tiny bodies.
What parts of the body do these doctors look at?
When you hear the name, you think only of the stomach (stomach) and intestines, right? `Gastro` means stomach, `entero` means intestines. But these specialists focus on many more organs than that. Simply put, the entire system, from the point where we put food in our mouths to the point where waste is excreted, falls under their purview.
That means:
- Mouth and esophagus (Esophagus)
- Stomach
- Small and Large Intestines
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Pancreas
- Bile ducts
They treat illnesses that affect all of these organs.
Why do we need to see such a specialist?
Imagine you have a persistent stomach ache. You have taken medicine from a general doctor, but it is not enough. In such cases, your doctor may refer you to such a specialist. Or, if you already know that you have a serious intestinal condition (such as `Inflammatory Bowel Disease`), it is best to see such a specialist to get the best treatment.
The advantage of seeing a specialist is that they do more research, perform more tests, and have more experience in this field than other doctors. Therefore, they can diagnose the disease quickly and accurately, and treat it with fewer complications.
What are the common diseases that these doctors treat?
There are many diseases that a gastroenterologist treats. Let's break them down into categories.
| Disease category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Stomach and intestinal diseases |
|
| Pharyngitis-related diseases | |
| Liver diseases | |
| Diseases related to the pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts |
What symptoms should I tell the doctor ?
If you are going to see a specialist like this, it is very important to clearly explain all the problems you are having. Even something small can be a big help in diagnosing the disease.
| Common symptoms you may have |
|---|
|
What kind of tests does a gastroenterologist perform?
First, the doctor will examine you physically. They will palpate your abdomen and listen to your chest with a stethoscope. They may also insert a finger into your rectum to examine your rectum. Then, they may order tests such as blood tests, stool tests, or X-rays.
However, if these tests don't give a clear picture of the disease, they will perform a special test called an endoscopy .
What is this endoscopy?
Simply put, this involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera attached into the body, allowing the doctor to see the organs inside on a monitor with both eyes. This is not surgery.
There are several main tests performed using this method:
- Upper Endoscopy (EGD): This involves inserting a tube through the mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine.
- Colonoscopy: In this, a tube is inserted through the rectum and the entire colon is examined.
- Endoscopic Ultrasound: An ultrasound scanner is attached to the end of the endoscope tube and surrounding organs, such as the liver and gallbladder, are examined.
- Polypectomy: If a small growth (polyp) is seen in the colon during an examination, it is cut and removed with a small instrument passed through the tube.
These tests can not only pinpoint the exact location of the disease, but if necessary , a small piece of tissue can be removed (biopsy) and sent for testing. In addition, this method can also be used to perform minor treatments, such as stopping bleeding or opening a blocked area.
Do these doctors also treat cancer?
Yes. If you have cancer in the digestive system, it is most likely that a Gastroenterologist will first diagnose it. They can use endoscopy and biopsy to find cancerous tumors, remove them, and determine what type of cancer it is.
If cancer is confirmed, they can also help determine how far it has spread (the `stage`). Some early-stage cancers can be completely removed through `endoscopy` without surgery.
The role of these specialists is very important in diagnosing and treating diseases such as stomach cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
Take-Home Message
- A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases of your entire digestive system (from your mouth to your anus).
- If you have symptoms such as persistent stomach pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or chest pain that do not improve with regular treatments, it is important to see a specialist like this.
- Endoscopy and colonoscopy are not surgical procedures. They are very important tests used to diagnose diseases and sometimes perform minor treatments.
- If you have any digestive problems, don't ignore them. Seeking the advice of a qualified specialist on time can help prevent serious illnesses.
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