What is gastroenterology

A Gastroenterologist must first complete a three-year Internal Medicine residency and is then eligible for additional specialized training fellowship in Gastroenterology. This fellowship is generally years long so by the time Gastroenterologists have completed their training, they have had years of additional specialized education following medical school.

Gastroenterology fellowship training is an intense, rigorous program where future Gastroenterologists learn directly from nationally recognized experts in the field and develop a detailed understanding of gastrointestinal diseases.

They learn how to evaluate patients with gastrointestinal complaints, treat a broad range of conditions, and provide recommendations to maintain health and prevent disease. They learn to care for patients in the office as well as in the hospital.

Gastroenterologists also receive dedicated training in endoscopy upper endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy by expert instructors. Endoscopy is the use of narrow, flexible lighted tubes with built-in video cameras, to visualize the inside of the intestinal tract. This specialized training includes detailed and intensive study of how and when to perform endoscopy, optimal methods to complete these tests safely and effectively, and the use of sedating medications to ensure the comfort and safety of patients.

Gastroenterology trainees also learn how to perform advanced endoscopic procedures such as polypectomy removalof colon polyps , esophageal and intestinal dilation stretching of narrowed areas , and hemostasis injection or cautery to stop bleeding. Some Gastroenterologists also receive directed training in advanced procedures using endoscopes such as endoscopic biliary examination endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or ERCP , removal of tumors without surgery endoscopic mucosal resection or EMR , placement of internal drainage tubes stents and endoscopic ultrasound EUS.

Conditions they treat affect areas of the urinary tract, such as…. Gastroenterologists: What to know. Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M. Gastroenterology Gastroenterologists Referral Conditions Procedures Summary A gastroenterologist is a medical professional who specializes in conditions that affect the organs and structures of the digestive system.

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What procedures do they perform? Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. How should you prepare for a colonoscopy? Medically reviewed by Mikhail Yakubov, MD. What you need to know about a polypectomy. Medically reviewed by Andrew Gonzalez, M. What does a radiologist do? Gastroenterology is a branch of medicine concerned with digestive diseases.

The practice of gastroenterology concentrates on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine colon , liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. This medical field is really a subspecialty of Internal Medicine, as is, for example, Cardiology, which deals with diseases of the heart.

A Gastroenterologist is a specialist who is first broadly trained in Internal Medicine and subsequently in diagnosing and treating disease of the digestive system. Frequently, a Gastroenterologist is called in cases of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or change in bowel habits when the diagnosis is unclear or where specialized diagnostic procedures are necessary.

Most Gastroenterologists are certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and then receive additional training in Gastroenterology.

To qualify for Board certification, an individual must have completed four years of college, four years of medical school and have received a degree in medicine. After several years of clinical practice, the doctor must successfully complete an extensive series of examinations.

All of our doctors are Board Certified in Gastroenterology. Frequently, a Gastroenterologist is called in cases when the diagnosis is unclear or where specialized diagnostic procedures are necessary. A Gastroenterologist treats a broad range of conditions, including, but not limited to:. A Gastroenterologist does not perform surgery. His work is limited to diagnosis and medical treatment. However, under the broad classification of surgery, Gastroenterologists do perform such procedures as liver biopsy and endoscopic "scope" examinations of the esophagus, stomach, small and large bowel.

Also, the Gastroenterologist frequently works with surgeons before and after an operation in helping select the best operation for a particular patient, and in providing follow-up care relevant to the particular digestive disorder. Whether you have been referred to us by your personal physician or have made the decision to consult a Gastroenterologist on your own, your initial visit will begin with a discussion of your general health and previous medical history.

You should be aware of any past operations or major illnesses that you may have had. Bring a list of any current medications and drug allergies. The doctor will then ask you the reason for your visit in more detail and then perform a complete general physical examination.

Additional diagnostic procedures such as blood tests, x-rays, or endoscopic examinations of the stomach gastroscopy or large intestine colonoscopy will be performed on most patients undergoing a complete evaluation in a Gastroenterologist's office.

To prevent discomfort, most scope tests are done using intravenous sedation and require special preparation. Our staff will explain any special preparation that will be necessary. If you are a diabetic or on Coumadin, please let them know. If sedation is used, you must bring a companion to drive you directly home and plan to take the rest of the day off work. After the studies are completed, the doctor will explain your situation and recommend a specific treatment.

Your questions are encouraged.