What is a gastroenterologist?

Gastroenterologists (GIs) are physicians that specialize in treating your gastrointestinal (GI) health needs.Your GI tract includes your mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. A GI physician is licensed to diagnose and treat common syndromes such as: acid refluxulcersirritable bowel syndromeGI specialists also perform diagnostic procedures such as:endoscopiescolonoscopies

What procedures do gastroenterologists perform?

GI specialists can perform the following procedures:endoscopic ultrasound to look inside your GI tractcolonoscopy to look at your large intestine (colon)endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)sigmoidoscopy to look at a specific part of your colon called the sigmoid colonliver biopsy to take a tissue sample of your liver for diagnosis or testingdouble balloon enteroscopy to inflate inside your GI tract to get a better lookpancreas scan to check for pancreas abnormalities or conditionsliver scan to check for liver abnormalitiesThis isn't an exhaustive list. Get in touch with your local GI specialist to learn more about their full range of services.

What conditions do gastroenterologists treat?

GI specialists may treat the following conditions:stomach ulcers and mouth ulcersirritable bowel syndrome (IBS)ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)acid refluxhemorrhoidsjaundice, or a yellowing of the skinhepatitis Cgrowths called colorectal polyps found in the large intestinepancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas from an underlying conditioncolon cancerThis list of conditions isn't exhaustive, either. Talk to a GI specialist for more information on getting a GI condition diagnosed and treated.

What should I ask a gastroenterologist?

Here are some examples of both general and specific questions to ask a GI specialist during your appointment:How old should I be when I start getting colonoscopies?What should I do if I feel a lump or hardness in my gut?Why haven't I pooped for so long? It's been X days.I've had a stomachache/stomach pain for X days or months. What should I do?Why am I having trouble swallowing?I have blood in my poop. What should I do?Why am I having acid in my throat whenever I eat?Why do I feel like I suddenly have to poop when I eat certain things?Do you know why I'm having these symptoms?Do you think I have IBS? Could it be another condition?Now that you've examined me, what's the next step? Should I take any diagnostic tests or get blood work done?What kind of results can I expect from a GI-related test?What treatments are available for my symptoms or my condition?How will I know if treatments are working? When should I stop one treatment and start another?Are there any side effects of treatments that I should be aware of when I start treatment or medications? How can I minimize my risk of side effects or complications?Is there anything I'm doing or eating that might be causing symptoms? Are there any changes I could make that would help?What can I do to manage my condition?Can my condition be cured? Or will I need to manage it?