What is gastroenterologist?
A gastroenterologist is a sort of doctor who specializes in digestive tract problems. This comprises the liver as well as all of the organs that cross the alimentary canal from the mouth to the anus. Before seeking a specialty in gastrointestinal, gastroenterologists must complete training and certification in internal medicine. In addition to studying gut physiology and illnesses, gastroenterologists are trained to undertake diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as endoscopy. People with chronic or serious gastrointestinal (GI) problems may see a gastroenterologist as their primary care provider. In most circumstances, however, if a digestive ailment is beyond the scope of a family doctor, internist, or primary care physician, the patient will be sent to a gastroenterologist.
Concentrations
Gastroenterology is the study of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver’s function and illnesses. It necessitates a thorough grasp of digestion, nutrient absorption, gastrointestinal motility, and liver indigestion function.
Affected Conditions
The goal of a gastroenterologist is to diagnose and treat disorders that affect the digestive tract’s normal function, both common and unusual. Among them are:
Abscesses, fissures, or anorectal fistulas
Celiac disease is a type of gluten intolerance (CD)
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel illness.
Polyps in colon
Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon.
Diverticular disease is a type of diverticular illness.
Fatty liver syndrome
Gallbladder problems (such as gallstones, cholecystitis, or gallbladder cancer)
Gastroenteritis
GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Hemorrhoids
Hernia hiatus
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a type of irritable bowel (IBS)
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Pancreatitis
a stomach ulcer
Gastric cancer
Colitis ulcerative
Hepatitis virus
Symptoms
If the origin of a condition cannot be determined or if a stool test or abdominal X-ray reveal an abnormal finding, people are frequently sent to a gastroenterologist in Lahore. Some of the symptoms that should be investigated by a gastroenterologist include:
Stool color anomaly
Anal dripping
stools with blood (hematochezia)
Consistent abdominal discomfort or cramps
Constipation or diarrhea that persists
Chronic indigestion and heartburn
Chronic vomiting or nausea
Sallowing problems (dysphagia)
Bloating or gas that is excessive
Appetitelessness
bowel incontinence
Malnutrition
Swallowing discomfort (odynophagia)
Rectal bleeding is a common occurrence.
Changes in blood habits that occur suddenly
Unprecedented weight loss
Eyes and/or skin that is yellow (jaundice)
Cancer Detection
Gastroenterology also does cancer screenings in order to find cancers early, when they are most easily treated. Adults at average risk in Asia should get a colonoscopy every ten years starting at age 45 to screen for colon cancer as of 2018.
Expertise in Procedures
The scope of a gastroenterologist in Lahore practice includes everything from the diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases to disease prevention and management.
Treatments
A gastroenterologist’s treatment options include everything from drugs to lifestyle changes to surgery and organ transplantation. Some of these can be handled by the gastroenterologist alone, while others may necessitate the collaboration of a team of experts, including surgeons, nutritionists, and oncologists.
Antibiotics, antacids, antidiarrheal, proton pump inhibitors blockers, and promotility agents like Reglan are among the medications used to treat digestive disorders ,Procedures Various procedures, in addition to drugs, may be used to control or cure a digestive condition. Changes in diet or eating habits, together with weight loss, exercise, and smoking cessation, may be all that is required in some circumstances.
In situations of malignancy, intestinal perforation, or severe inflammatory bowel disease, more rigorous treatments may be required (IBD). Some examples are:
Bile duct stenting (used to unblock the bile duct)
Removal of gallstones or biliary stones (via ERCP or MRCP)
Polyp removal (removal of colon polyps via thermal ablation, electro cautery, etc.)
Subspecialties
Some gastroenterologists in Lahore specialize in particular diseases or organ symptoms. Hepatology, the study of the liver, is one of the most prevalent.
Others will pursue fellowships and training in areas such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal motility, interventional endoscopy, neurogastroenterology, pediatric gastroenterology, and transplant hepatology.
Certification and Training
To earn board certification, gastroenterologists in Lahore typically complete 14 years of school and practical training. This involves three years of fellowship training dedicated on gastrointestinal disease diagnosis, management, therapy, and prevention. A one-year fellowship in hepatology is required.
