A gastroenterologist is defined to be a medical doctor who specializes in conditions that affect your digestive system. Initially, a gastroenterologist begins as a general physician. Soon, they complete three years of medical residency after graduating from medical school. After this, they treat a wide range of diseases and conditions.

To become a gastroenterologist, a doctor completes three years of additional study after that. Soon, they receive a special certification. This certification designates them as experts in gastrointestinal diseases and conditions. It also qualifies them to perform specific exams and procedures that general physicians don’t, and to interpret the results.

About Pediatric Gastroenterologist

A pediatric gastroenterologist is a pediatrician who has received additional training in gastroenterology. Pediatricians are typically trained for three years during their medical residency, focusing on general pediatric medicine. This includes treating babies, children, and teenagers for a wide range of conditions. A pediatric gastroenterologist studies for three years, which is more than the regular MBBS degree.

After that, a pediatric gastroenterologist earns their certification. They study gastrointestinal and liver conditions most relevant to growing children, with a special emphasis on nutrition. They learn how to interpret children’s signs and symptoms, as well as how to perform exams and minor procedures within their smaller bodies.

Where Does a Gastroenterologist Focus?

The name, gastroenterologist, refers to the stomach and intestines. Gastro means stomach, entero means intestines, and “ologist” means specialist. These are the organs most commonly affected in gastrointestinal diseases, which are diseases that impact your digestive tract. However, your digestive system also encompasses your mouth and esophagus.

These are the organs from where you initially swallow your food. It also includes the organs in your biliary system, which produce bile and digestive enzymes that are supplied to your intestines. These include your gallbladder, pancreas, liver, and bile ducts. A gastroenterologist can treat all of these organs.

When Should You See a Gastroenterologist?

Here are some reasons why you should go to a person specialized in gastroenterology. Entero healthcare is important, so consulting a gastrologist in gastroenterologist near me is important:

Ongoing Diarrhea

From food to infections to certain medications, many things can trigger a bout of diarrhea. However, if your stool is regularly more liquid than solid, it’s time to consult a GI doctor.

“Chronic diarrhea can be an indication of a few different digestive disorders, including IBS, IBD, or small bacterial overgrowth (SIBO),” says doctors. “IBS is the most common cause of chronic diarrhea. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to help manage your symptoms.

Constipation

The frequency of bowel movements varies from person to person, but doctors generally consider fewer than three bowel movements per week to be indicative of constipation. You might also be constipated if your bowel movements are very small, harsh, or brutal to pass. If you’re constipated more weeks than not, consult a gastroenterologist.

“Constipation can have many causes, and it can be hard to manage on your own at home,” says doctors. A GI specialist can help determine the likely cause of your constipation and recommend lifestyle changes and medications that can help make your bowel movements more regular.

Frequent or severe heartburn

Getting heartburn now and then shouldn’t be a matter of great concern, and the good news is that occasional heartburn can typically be managed at home. However, if you experience heartburn symptoms more than a couple of times a week, it may be a sign of GERD. This condition, over time, can cause damage and scarring to the lining of the esophagus.

Chronic acid reflux doesn’t resolve on its own, so it’s essential to be evaluated by a specialist,” says doctors. “Left untreated, GERD can lead to permanent damage to the esophagus. This damage can lead to issues swallowing, cause painful ulcers and even increase a person’s risk of developing esophageal cancer.”

Feeling Unusually Bloated

Bloating can feel like your belly is full or tight. It is often caused by issues that result in excess gas production, hypersensitivity to gas, or gas being trapped in your colon.

“Constipation can cause bloating since the longer waste stays in your colon, the more likely it is to be fermented by resident bacteria, which creates gas,” explains doctors. However, bloating can also be a sign of IBS, a food sensitivity such as lactose intolerance, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), or gastroparesis (partial paralysis of the stomach). A gastroenterologist can help you identify what exactly is the exact cause of your bloating and the most effective way to treat it.

Sudden or Severe Abdominal Pain

Everybody has dealt with bellyaches, but severe abdominal pain that lasts for hours or abdominal pain that comes on suddenly and intensely isn’t normal.

“A stomach ulcer or peptic ulcer, which is a sore on the lining of your stomach or first part of your small intestine, can lead to burning abdominal pain, particularly after eating,” says some doctors. An untreated ulcer can cause swelling and scarring that block your digestive tract. Consistently severe abdominal pain can also be a sign of gallstones, pancreatitis, or liver disease. A gastroenterologist can help determine the cause of your pain.

Rectal Bleeding or Blood in Your Stool

If you see blood on your toilet paper or as you flush the toilet, it could be hemorrhoids. This is because it is a reasonably common issue that can typically be managed with at-home remedies or over-the-counter products.

“However, if hemorrhoids aren’t responding to these treatments or you’re getting them frequently, a gastroenterologist can recommend more advanced treatments that can help you get relief,” Dr. Kim adds. Additionally, you must also not assume that blood in the toilet can only mean hemorrhoids.

“Any time you see blood in your stool or have rectal bleeding that is accompanied by changes in your bowel habits or to the color or consistency of your stool, it’s critical that you see a gastroenterologist,” warns Dr. Kim. “Rectal bleeding isn’t always a huge concern, but it can be a sign of a serious medical condition such as colorectal cancer.”

You are Due for a Colonoscopy

If you’re over the age of 45 or have a strong family history of colorectal cancer, you’ve probably heard your doctor recommend a colonoscopy. A highly skilled gastroenterologist performs tens of thousands of colorectal screenings every year. And you may also be able to schedule a colonoscopy for yourself.

“Most people begin having screening colonoscopies at age 45,” say many doctors. From there, the frequency varies based on your results. However, if the findings are normal and you have no other risk factors, you only need to undergo a colonoscopy every 10 years.

On the other hand, a colonoscopy might sound uncomfortable. However, it can save your life. So, an early detection by a gastroenterologist to check for colorectal cancer is essential. This is because when it is caught early, it can lead to less aggressive treatment and a better chance of survival.

Conclusion

So, this is what a gastroenterologist does. The tasks of a gastroenterologist to the common eye may seem to be very complicated. However, it is this complicated task that a gastroenterologist takes over that makes your life easy. On top of that, if you see for yourself that you are having some issues, then consult a gastroenterologist today. This will help you to do well, and this is why you must get into seeing a gastroenterologist soon.

FAQs

Are the services of a gastroenterologist good?

Ans: Yes. The services of a gastroenterologist is good.

What is a liver doctor called?

Ans: A liver doctor is called gastroenterologist.

Is a gastroenterologist a stomach doctor?

Ans: Yes. A gastroenterologist is also what a stomach doctor called.

What is gastroenterologist meaning in simpler doctor?

Ans: In simple words, a liver specialist doctor is a gastroenterologist.

Can I get a gastrology doctor near me?

Ans: Yes. You can get a liver specialist doctor in a general physician clinic near me.