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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.

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.

• 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

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

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.

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

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?