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Reviews of Dr. Saptarshi Bishnu - Best Hepatologist in India

Dr. Saptarshi Bishnu

Hepatologist
Chennai, India
10 Years of experience

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a Hepatologist?

Hepatologists are medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas.

Hepatologists deal with viral hepatitis and alcohol-related disorders the most. Hepatitis affects millions of people around the world and has been linked to a variety of negative outcomes, including liver cancer and liver transplantation. Hepatitis B and C, in particular, are known to induce liver cancer. Cirrhosis and other problems have been linked to excessive alcohol intake.

What conditions do Hepatologists treat?

A hepatologist can treat a variety of conditions.

Some of them include:

  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Hepatitis
  • Ascites
  • Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
  • Cancer of the liver
  • NAFLD- Non- alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Encephalopathy of the hepatic system
  • Obesity
  • NASH- Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
  • Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
  • Primary Biliary Cholangitis
  • Bile duct obstruction
  • Acetaminophen overdose
  • Auto-immune illnesses
  • Toxin poisoning

What are the qualifications of a Hematologist?

Hepatologists go to medical school to complete their graduation in MBBS and then finish additional training and certifications.

The qualifications may consist of the following:

  • A Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) is earned after four years of medical school (DO)
  • Internal medicine residency is a three-year programme.
  • An additional specialization training and certification in hepatic science and hepatology.

What diagnostic tests are required by a Hepatologist?

A variety of diagnostic tests can be requested by the hepatologists depending on the condition of the patient and the patient's medical history.

Some of them include:

  • A liver biopsy
  • Computed Tomography, also known as CT scan
  • Alkaline phosphatase test
  • Prothrombin time (PT)
  • Vitamins A, D, E, and K
  • Serum bile acid (SBA)
  • Zinc
  • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT test)
  • Ammonia
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
  • HIDA scan
  • Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
  • sonogram
  • Alpha fetoprotein (AFP)
  • Albumin
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Essential fatty acids (EFAs)
  • AST (aspartate aminotransferase)
  • Bilirubin
  • GGT (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase)
  • Glucose

When should you visit a Hepatologist?

After a visit to a general physician, they might refer you to a hepatologist, based on their observation and diagnosis.

Some troubling symptoms or indicators for which a hepatologist must be consulted are mentioned below:

  • Liver problems: Cirrhosis, hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis are some of the conditions that can affect the liver and require immediate attention from a hepatologist
  • Having abnormal liver function test result: Liver function tests also known as LFT in medical terms examine the functioning of your liver enzymes and proteins. In case the blood tests reveal abnormally high or low results, it could be an indicator of liver diseases, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or pharmaceutical overdoses, and need a hepatologist's supervision.

Some other symptoms associated with liver problems are:

  • Gastrointestinal bleeding that occurs suddenly
  • Sudden bleeding from the upper GI tract
  • Prolonged heavy drinking: It causes lesions and irregular veins in the esophagus and stomach, resulting in bleeding or blood vomiting
  • Jaundice: When your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow, it's called jaundice. The yellow color is caused by an excess of bilirubin, a type of bile pigment that occurs when hemoglobin is broken down.

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

At your first consultation, a hepatology expert/ hepatologist will take a thorough history of your symptoms and coordinate the required tests to arrive at a diagnosis as quickly as possible.

  • This will most likely include a variety of scans and blood tests, as well as a liver biopsy.
  • Depending on the diagnosis, your treatment options may include pills and other medications, surgery, liver ablation to destroy a tumor or simple monitoring.
  • The physician will provide you with advice on how to improve your health through lifestyle changes.
  • You can expect a thorough discussion on the liver history and symptoms with your doctor.

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.