What Does a Gastroenterologist Handle?

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. You can locate a nearby gastroenterologist in Tulsa, OK by contacting our team. 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 does a GI doctor 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 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 commonly execute regular colonoscopies to recognize, care for, and hinder 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, OK.

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 when you do not suffer from any of the listed symptoms, we recommend you visit a GI doctor for regular colonoscopies. You should start normal colon cancer exams around the age of 45 and 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 sooner and more often. You can discover a GI physician nearby by contacting Adult Gastroenterology Associates.

Would you like to see a GI doctor in Tulsa, OK?

If you or a loved one is having distressing GI signs, you can have confidence in the gastroenterologists at Adult Gastroenterology Associates to offer expert, patient-centric treatments. Our understanding GI doctors are among the leading professionals in the industry, and our purpose is to accomplish the best clinical norms. Talk to our facility in Tulsa, OK to learn more.