Gastroenterologists Treat the Entire Digestive System - GATGI

 If you are having issues with any of your digestive organs such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, or rectum as well as the gall bladder, liver, bile ducts, and pancreas, meeting a gastroenterologist will help you. They treat the whole digestive system, from your mouth to anus.

Common diseases and symptoms gastroenterologists can treat 

•              Colon cancer

•              Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

•              Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

•              Acid reflux

•              Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

•              Hepatitis

•              Jaundice

•              Polyps in the large intestine

•              Gastrointestinal cancer

•              Hemorrhoids

•              Crohn’s disease

•              Celiac disease

•              Bloody stool, cramping, bloating


Depending on your health insurance, your family or primary care physician may refer you or you can make an appointment directly with a board-certified gastroenterologist in your area.

Common procedures that gastroenterologists perform 

Colonoscopy

Gastroenterologists are trained to perform colonoscopies. It is useful to diagnose colon cancer by removing pre-cancerous polyps or growths in the large intestine’s lining. This exam can also be used as a regular screening to prevent colon cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, your first colon screening should be by age 45.

A colonoscopy is a gastrointestinal analysis that involves passing a camera, which is as wide as your finger and looks like a thin flexible tube, through the entire colon. In most situations, the doctor will provide a sedative and pain medication before the screening. As a result, you'll need someone to drive you after the procedure.

Small Bowel Capsule

Allows the gastroenterologist to check the small intestine's lining. Traditional endoscopy is ineffective in this region of the gastrointestinal tract because it is difficult to view. The small bowel capsule can help detect issues such as gastrointestinal bleeding, colon polyps, or ulcerative colitis.

The gastroenterologist provides patients with a pill-sized camera to ingest. It will take pictures as it travels through the intestine naturally. The pictures are then sent to the recorder patients wear on a belt. They will then return the recorder at the end of the day, and the doctor will go over these images. The pill camera does not need to be removed as it will pass with a bowel movement.

Endoscopy

An endoscopy or EGD is a procedure in which your doctor uses a flexible tube with a camera called an endoscope. It is used to look at the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract - the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. This procedure is often used to diagnose acid reflux, detect an ulcer or detect inflammation.

A flexible tube with a camera at the end is inserted via the mouth to perform this process. In most cases, your doctor will give you a sedative and pain medication before the procedure. The process takes roughly 15 minutes and does not block breathing.

Endoscopic Ultrasound

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a procedure that employs ultrasound to evaluate different digestive organs.

During the procedure, a flexible tube with a camera and an ultrasound probe at the end will be passed to the upper GI tract. The ultrasound imaging is used to make a detailed evaluation of various digestive organs - pancreas, esophagus, stomach, etc. During the procedure, samples of abnormalities are taken. This is used for the diagnosis and staging of different cancers and other gastrointestinal diseases. Further, it is performed under sedation.

The procedure usually involves an ultrasound before a biopsy for locating the best area for the treatment. Further, it is numbed with medication. Further, a needle is placed through the skin on your right side into the liver about an inch under the skin.

ERCP

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a specialized procedure for assessing the bile duct, which drains the liver and gall bladder, and the pancreatic duct. It is done for various reasons like detecting gall stones and bile duct blockages. It also helps detect inflamed gallbladders, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and other conditions.

A thin flexible tube with a camera is passed to the small intestine where these ducts (or tubes) drain. Patients are provided anesthesia for this procedure. Preparation usually includes fasting before the procedure.

When to consult a Gastroenterologist 

If you’re experiencing digestive problems like chronic pain in the abdominal area or bloating gas, you may need to consult a gastroenterologist. He/she can help you identify the common digestive disorders and help you with a customized treatment plan. Contact a board-certified gastroenterologist today!
Location: Virginia Beach, VA, USA

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