Medical Gastroenterology

Medical Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology is an area of medicine that focuses on the health of the digestive system, or the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Gastroenterologists can treat everything from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to hepatitis C. These specialists primarily diagnose and treat GI diseases in both men and women. They perform endoscopic procedures, in which they use specialized instruments to view the GI tract and make a diagnosis. Parts of the GI system include Pharynx, Esophagus, Stomach, Small intestine, Large intestine, Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas, Salivary glands, Tongue, Epiglottis, Rectum, Anus

Gastroenterology is a specialized area of medicine that focuses on the GI tract. Some possible areas of emphasis are:

• Hepatology, which focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas
• Pancreatic disease
• Transplantation
• Inflammatory bowel disease, or chronic inflammation of your digestive tract
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Endoscopic surveillance
• Reflux esophagitis, which is commonly due to gastroesophageal reflux disease

These specialists treat a number of conditions affecting the GI system. This can include:

• Acid reflux
• Ulcers
• IBS
• Hepatitis C
• Polyps, or growths, which typically occur in the large intestine
• Jaundice, or a yellowing of the skin
• Hemorrhoids
• Bloody stool
• Pancreatitis, or a rare disease causing inflammation of the pancreas
• Colon cancer