Concept of gastroenterology
Talking about gastroenterology, we understand that it refers to the study as well as the treatment of the digestive system, which includes the stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, oesophagus and intestines. The digestive system begins from the oesophagus and ends below at the rectum. The food we consume gets mixed thoroughly in the digestive tract. If there is any issue with your digestive tract, then you must contact the best gastroenterologist in India.
Who is a gastroenterologist?
A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specialises in dealing with issues of the digestive system. They treat liver diseases as well. The best liver doctor in Ludhiana can help you diagnose the liver problem and provide you with the right treatment for any issues related to your digestive system, especially the liver. You can consult the best gastro doctor in India for diet advice for a healthy liver and proper digestion.
When to consult a gastroenterologist?
A number of symptoms appear if you have any issues related to your digestive system, which can trouble you. The symptoms can be concerning as well; therefore, you are required to visit a gastroenterologist. The symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Excessive abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Acidity and pain
- Bloating
- Bleeding from the rectum or the surrounding region
- Heartburn
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Jaundice
- Fluctuation in weight
Problems treated by the gastroenterologists
Several diseases can occur in the digestive tract, as it is a long and complex part of the body. A gastroenterologist is required to perform various tests to diagnose the underlying problem and then provide the right treatment for that. The diseases that concern your stomach and intestine include —
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Stomach ulcers
- Appendicitis
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
- Diverticulitis
- Haemorrhoids
- Colorectal polyps
A person’s oesophagus can be afflicted with various diseases, such as —
- Esophagitis
- Hiatal hernias
- Swallowing difficulties
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
The diseases that generally develop in our livers, as our livers are susceptible to their development, are —
- Cirrhosis
- Fatty liver disease
- Toxic hepatitis
- Viral hepatitis
The diseases which are developed by the pancreas and the gallbladder are —
- Pancreatitis
- Cholecystitis
- Gallstones
Do gastroenterologists provide treatment for cancer?
The underlying cancerous growth anywhere in the digestive tract is first detected by the gastroenterologists. They can generally scan the entire digestive tract, so they can identify the area where there is cancerous growth. After locating the growth, they identify the stage of cancer. Thereafter, through the process of endoscopy, they try to get rid of certain types of cells which have grown into cancer. They dissect and disseminate the growth of cancer by using endoscopy methods and tools.
A gastro doctor helps to diagnose and treat the following types of cancer, thereby providing specialised guidance over them —
- Stomach cancer
- Liver cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Small intestine cancer
- Duodenal cancer
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumours
- Esophageal cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Bile duct cancer
While undergoing any kind of treatment, it is crucial to consult a gastroenterologist on a regular basis, especially if you are undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Also, you consult the gastro doctor for advice if you are facing any side effects of inflammation in any part of your digestive tract.
Conclusion
Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat digestive diseases. They manage many conditions and common diseases like heartburn, indigestion and also the complex illnesses like colorectal cancer and hepatitis. They perform the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using the specialised tools for examining inside the body. Various blood tests, physical exams and imaging tests such as ultrasounds or CT scans are performed by them for the detection of the disease. They help the patients with gastrointestinal health by suggesting dietary changes to be made, as well as recommending the required treatment for the management of the chronic condition.
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