Gastroenterology : Specialists

What is gastroenterology?

This is a branch of medicine which deals with diseases of the digestive system. This includes the stomach, oesophagus, intestines, liver, pancreas and gallbladder.

Many people confuse this with gastrointestinal or ‘GI’as it is more commonly known.

What is a gastroenterologist?

This is a medical professional who specialises in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This tract is affected by a wide range of diseases which includes:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Colorectal cancer
• Diverticulitis
• Gastroenteritis
• Cholera
• Hepatitis
• Coeliac disease
• Pancreatitis
• Peptic ulcer
• Ulcerative colitis

Many of these diseases are characterised by abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

What does a gastroenterologist do?

He or she diagnoses and treats any of the above mentioned diseases. He/she will perform a physical examination as well as referring the patient for a series of tests. These tests will include blood tests, urine/stool tests and a colonoscopy or an endoscope (insertion of a camera mounted tube).

If surgery is required then this will be undertaken by gastrointestinal surgeon.