What Conditions and Diseases Do GI Doctors Diagnose

4/29/2022

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine dedicated to the research, identification, and treatment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your GI tract consists of important gastric organs, such as your small intestine, esophagus, stomach, gallbladder, colon, liver, and pancreas. Any disturbance in this essential system can have a gravely detrimental effect on your comprehensive wellness and should be assessed by an expert in the type.

Specialists in gastroenterology are known as gastroenterologists. Adult Gastroenterology Associates is a state-of-the-art physician-led system of gastroenterologists (GI specialists), and we are dedicated to providing education and treatments that help our patients achieve their ideal gastrointestinal well-being.

So, what does a GI specialist achieve, and when should you find one? Continue reading to learn.


Who Qualifies as a Gastroenterologist?

Gastroenterologists need to finish about 5 – 6 years of specialized training in the sphere of gastroenterology following med school. These GI specialists have extensively studied what healthy digestion and waste disposal resemble, as well as standard ailments and disorders that can interfere with intestinal function. A GI physician undergoes broad instruction on how to execute endoscopic exams, like an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy, which can both be used to recognize and treat different diseases of the gastrointestinal system.


What Diseases and Conditions Do GI Doctors Treat?

A GI doctor may treat an extensive assortment of gastrointestinal diseases and conditions. Some of the most extensively treated afflictions include:


Cancer:

A GI doctor will help care for cancers of the gastrointestinal system, including colon and rectal cancer and stomach cancer.


Pancreatitis:

This condition leads to inflammation of the pancreas.


Gallbladder stones or cholelithiasis:

When bile stiffens into the solid matter in the gallbladder, gallbladder stones are the outcome.


Inflammatory bowel disease:

Conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease cause continual inflammation in the intestinal tract.


Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD:

This disease is marked by habitual and constant heartburn.


Celiac disease:

The immune system responds negatively to the ingestion of gluten, which drives injury to the small intestines.

As well as treating the listed ailments, gastroenterologists also perform regular colonoscopies to diagnose colon cancer, which is among the main causes of cancer fatalities in the country. You can meet a colonoscopy specialist nearby through Adult Gastroenterology Associates. A physician in our network is available in Tulsa.


When Should You Visit a GI Doctor?

You should talk to a GI specialist when you are experiencing some indicators or evidence of intestinal ailments, such as:

  • Excessive flatulence
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Chronic constipation
  • Painful or repetitive acid reflux
  • Washed out stools
  • Lasting diarrhea
  • Gut pain or discomfort

Even if you’re not currently suffering from any of the listed symptoms, we recommend you visit a GI doctor for regular colonoscopies, as colon cancer can often be symptomless. You should start normal colon cancer exams around the age of 45, then once every ten years if you are of ordinary risk and your findings come back negative. If you are at higher risk, like having a family history of colon cancer or serious bowel condition, then it is normally recommended you receive exams more regularly.


Schedule a Visit with a GI Doctor in Tulsa Today

If you or a loved one is suffering from GI distress, you can have confidence in the gastroenterologists at Adult Gastroenterology Associates to offer best-in-class treatments. We are the leading digestive professionals in the Tulsa area, and our aim is to provide you with the information and treatment that you need. Contact us today to request an appointment.