Best Gastroenterologist & Doctors in Chennai, India Share & Compare Reviews, Ratings, Feedbacks

Reviews of Dr. Srinivas M - Best Gastroenterologist in India

Dr. Srinivas M

Gastroenterologist
Chennai, India
28 Years of experience
Reviews of Dr. Mahadevan B - Best Gastroenterologist in India

Dr. Mahadevan B

Gastroenterologist
Chennai, India
19 Years of experience

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a Gastroenterologist?

The digestive system, as well as the gallbladder, liver, bile ducts, and pancreas, are the focus of gastroenterology.

Gastroenterologists are medical professionals who have special training and skills to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and liver disorders. These doctors also perform standard procedures like colonoscopies, which allow them to examine the inside of your intestine after completing medical school with 5-6 years of specialized training.

They have a special focus on:

  • Digestive tract problems
  • Hepatology
  • Gastrointestinal cancers
  • Acid reflux
  • Pancreatic disease and many more.

What conditions do Gastroenterologists treat?

Gastroenterologists have the skills and knowledge to appropriately diagnose any internal disorders encircling the gastrointestinal tract.

Among the diseases and conditions they treat are:

  • gastric cancers
  • esophageal cancers
  • peptic ulcer disease
  • colon polyps
  • achalasia
  • Barrett's esophagus
  • colon and bowel cancers
  • cholecystitis
  • pancreatitis
  • pancreatic cancers
  • gastroesophageal reflux
  • colitis
  • biliary tract disease
  • gallbladder stones and cancer
  • hepatitis
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • nutritional problems and malabsorption
  • a host of other disease conditions

A screening colonoscopy or other tests that look inside any area of your gastrointestinal tract would also be performed by a gastroenterologist.

What are the qualifications of a Gastroenterologist?

  • A three-year Internal Medicine residency is required before becoming a Gastroenterologist.
  • After this, an individual is qualified for two to three years of additional specialized training (fellowship) in Gastroenterology.
  • After medical school, they might take up a total of 5-6 years of extra specialized education.
  • The fellowship is a hands-on, intensive, and challenging program that allows trainees to learn directly from nationally recognized experts while also working to gain a thorough grasp of gastrointestinal illnesses.
  • The training includes everything from patient evaluation to patient care.

Procedures that are covered during the training involve:

  • Endoscopy including upper endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy
  • Endoscopic biliary examination including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or ERCP
  • Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)
  • Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)
  • And other procedures

What are the subspecialties of a Gastroenterologist?

Some gastroenterologists specialize in particular illnesses or organ symptoms.

  • Hepatology- the study of the liver is one of the most prevalent.

Other fields of fellowships and training include:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Gastrointestinal motility
  • Interventional endoscopy
  • Neurogastroenterology
  • Pediatric gastroenterology
  • Transplant hepatology

What diagnostic tests are required by a Gastroenterologist?

After conducting a thorough physical examination, a gastroenterologist may request certain tests for you to rule out other possible conditions.

These tests can be one or more of the following:

  • CT scan using X-rays
  • Examination of your blood or stool
  • Enema or barium swallow test where you'll be asked to ingest barium liquid and have to take an X-ray test to see how your digestive system looks.
  • Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract in order to better observe your upper digestive tract. A tube with a light and camera at the end known as an endoscope will be placed through your mouth. This is frequently done for individuals who have GI issues including vomiting or heartburn, as well as for biopsies.
  • Colonoscopy: To better observe the lower digestive tract, a tube with a camera is introduced through the rectum. Colonoscopy is commonly used to diagnose and screen for colorectal cancer in patients who have bloody stools.

Your doctor will schedule a follow-up consultation with you to discuss the results and possible treatment options, depending on whether you need additional tests.

When should you visit a Gastroenterologist?

If you suffer from any of the below-mentioned problems, you should see a gastroenterologist or your primary care doctor who may recommend you to this expert.

  • Inexplicable blood in your stool
  • Unexplained difficulties swallowing
  • Stomach pain

You should also see a gastroenterologist for preventive treatment if you're above the age of 50. Colon cancer is more common in males and women over the age of 50.

Some other organs/body parts problems that might require a visit to a gastroenterologist are:

  • Oesophagus
  • Stomach
  • Small intestine (GI tract)
  • Colon
  • Rectum
  • Pancreas
  • Gallbladder
  • Bile ducts
  • Liver

What can you expect from your first visit with a Gastroenterologist?

Your gastroenterologist will likely ask you a lot of questions regarding your illness during the first visit. It's critical for the patient to answer them accurately so that they can make an accurate diagnosis and recommend the best treatment for you. It would also be beneficial if you keep track of your symptoms as well as any over-the-counter meds you use.

Few common questions to expect are:

  • Do you have any pain, bloating, heartburn, bleeding?
  • What causes the symptoms to appear?
  • When do the signs and symptoms appear? When do they improve or deteriorate?
  • What part of your body are you experiencing symptoms in?
  • What is the level of discomfort?
  • How often do you experience the signs and symptoms, and how long do they last?
  • Is the pain shifting or changing its location?
  • Do you have a family history of gastrointestinal disorders or other health issues?
  • Do you have a medical or surgical history with your gastrointestinal tract?

How to choose the best doctors in Chennai?

Be it any city or any country, choosing the right doctor is essential. Often, choosing the right doctor is a long term promise. The process of finding a good healthcare provider remains the same despite the city. The first step in identifying the right doctor is to look for one who is good at communication. Often doctors give advice on maintaining good healthcare and communicate the do’s and don’t to maintain a healthy and disease-free lifestyle. One of the most crucial aspects of getting effective health care is how well you and your doctor communicate. This doctor gets to know you and learns about your general health. He or she can assist you in making medical decisions that are consistent with your values and everyday routines, as well as connect you with additional medical professionals and healthcare providers as needed. Family practitioners, internists, and geriatricians are common primary care providers. A geriatrician is a doctor who specialises in the care of senior citizens, but family practitioners and internists mostly deal with people of all ages. When deciding which doctor to see, you should ask yourself questions like:

  • Did the doctor give me the opportunity to ask questions?
  • Was the doctor paying attention to me?
  • Was it possible for me to grasp what the doctor was saying?
  • Was it safe for me to ask him or her to repeat it?
  • How is his behaviour with his patients?
  • Is my doctor non-judgemental?

Which are some of the most common types of doctors patients seek out in Chennai?

Because of its qualified and well-trained doctors and experts, Chennai’s healthcare is always developing and evolving. A doctor is noted for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to a patient or treatment. The doctors in Chennai are committed to giving the highest quality of care. They work around the clock to provide the greatest possible patient care and satisfaction. Most doctors are affiliated with reputable hospitals and clinics, ensuring that their patients receive the finest possible care. The value of healthcare in Chennai is being enhanced by doctors and surgeons with experience treating a wide range of illnesses and providing comfort to patients. In Chennai, patients frequently seek out the following sorts of doctors:

  • Cardiologist
  • Neurologist
  • Otolaryngologist
  • Orthopaedics specialist
  • Nephrologist & Urologist
  • Paediatrician
  • Dermatologist
  • Cancer Care specialist
  • Spine specialists
  • Plastic Surgeons
  • Vascular Surgeons
  • Gastroenterologist
  • Colorectal Surgeons
  • Critical Care specialist
  • Liver treatment specialist
  • Emergency physician
  • Sports specialist and surgeon
  • Transplant specialist
  • Bariatric Surgeon
  • Pulmonologist

Which are the most popular treatments availed in Chennai?

Chennai offers some of the top medical care and treatment alternatives in the country. The world-class treatments draw visitors from all over the world, making it a popular medical travel destination. Foreigners can visit several of the country's certified doctors and hospitals. Everyone's health is a top issue, especially during the covid-19 pandemic. Many general physicians from throughout the world have recommended Chennai to their patients for specialised treatments. The following are the most popular therapies available in Chennai:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurosciences
  • ENT (Otolaryngology)
  • Orthopaedics
  • Nephrology & Urology
  • Paediatrics
  • Dermatology
  • Cancer Care
  • Spine treatments
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Colorectal Surgery
  • Critical Care
  • Liver treatments
  • Emergency
  • Sports Medicine and Surgery
  • Transplants
  • Bariatric Surgery
  • Pulmonology

What is the level of expertise which is offered by doctors and surgeons in Chennai?

There is a hierarchy of doctors in hospitals, with differing levels of responsibilities and training. A doctor can rise to any level in this hierarchy based on ambition and training, regardless of specialization. A doctor or surgeon's level of knowledge varies depending on their position in the hierarchy. The healthcare sector in Chennai is brimming with doctors, ranging from highly trained doctors with over 10-20 years of experience to doctors who are relatively new to the clinical area. Fellows and interns can be found working in a variety of hospitals, particularly those that are affiliated with a medical school or institute. The patient must make the decision and choose the right doctor/specialist after investigating their level of knowledge. When seeking competence, financial factors come into play as well; the better a doctor's expertise, the higher the cost of consultations and treatment. After carefully examining all of the personal preferences and prioritizing the medical concern, a patient can visit a healthcare professional of their choosing.