What Is Gastroenterology?

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the health of the digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Depending on your symptoms, your gastroenterologist (or GI doctor) will evaluate the:

• Pharynx
• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Small intestine
• Large intestine
• Liver
• Gallbladder
• Pancreas
• Salivary glands
• Tongue
• Epiglottis
• Rectum
• Anus

What Conditions Does a G.I Doctor Treat?

• Acid reflux
• Ulcers
• IBS
• Hepatitis C
• Polyps
• Jaundice
• Hemorrhoids
• Bloody stool
• Pancreatitis
• Colon cancer

What Treatment Options Are Available?

A gastrointestinal specialist typically does not perform surgery, although they do perform a variety of non-surgical procedures, including:

• Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy or EGD) – To assess heartburn, abdominal pain, trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss or intestinal bleeding
• Colonoscopies - For colon cancer/polyps or blood in bowel movements
• Endoscopic ultrasounds
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - To locate tumors, bile duct stones or scar tissue
• Sigmoidoscopies - To determine bowel pain or blood loss
• Liver biopsies - To assess inflammation and fibrosis
• Capsule endoscopies - To explore the small intestine

Should I See a Gastroenterologist?

Talk to your doctor about getting a referral to a gastroenterologist if you have:

• Abdominal pain
• Blood in your stool
• Trouble swallowing
• Frequent heartburn
• Unexplained weight loss

If you’re age 50 or over, your risk of colon cancer will increase. That’s why it’s important to find a GI doctor for preventive care. If you have a relative with colon cancer, you should begin getting regular colon cancer screenings, as family history can also increase your risk.