A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in the normal and disease processes of the digestive system. This includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver. A gastroenterologist (sometimes called a GI doctor) completes their medical degree, usually in Internal Medicine, then completes an intense, specialty fellowship in gastroenterology. A GI doctor becomes well-versed in diagnosing and evaluating patients with gastrointestinal conditions. Once properly diagnosed, patients will benefit from a treatment plan to manage symptoms and repair, or prevent further damage to the digestive system.
What Does a Gastroenterologist Do?
In addition to clinical practice, gastroenterologists are skilled in performing endoscopy procedures. Colonoscopy and EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) procedures are common in a gastroenterologist’s practice. They use a flexible, lighted tube with a camera to see inside the digestive tract. This practice is used to screen for colon cancer, remove polyps, test for celiac disease, dilate the esophagus and gather biopsies to test for conditions that may or may not be apparent by visual examination alone.
Common Gastroenterology Procedures, Symptoms and Conditions
– Colon Cancer Screening
– Hemorrhoid Removal
– Esophageal Stricture Dilation
– Rectal Bleeding
– Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Ulcerative Colitis/Crohn’s
– Barrett’s Disease
– Celiac Disease
– GERD – Heartburn, Acid Reflux
– H Pylori
– Liver Disease
– Gallbladder Disease
– Pancreatitis
– Hepatitis C
– Lactose Intolerance
– Irritable Bowel Syndrome
– Nausea, Vomiting, Intestinal Distress
– Change in Bowel Habits
– Infusion and Medication Management
The board-certified gastroenterologists at Granite Peaks Gastroenterology and the physician assistants who specialize in gastroenterology at our GI clinic are highly-trained, experienced healthcare providers with the advanced skills to diagnose and treat patients suffering from digestive health disorders.