A gastroenterologist treats diseases of the stomach. They can treat a variety of problems including heartburn, rectal cancer and colon polyps.
Gastroenterologists can also perform endoscopies, esophageal dilation and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). They use an instrument called an endoscope, a long flexible tube with a camera attached.
They can palpate the abdomen's four quadrants and listen to bowel sounds. They can also do a rectal exam to check for masses and inflammation.
Education
A gastroenterologist specializes in the digestive system, including the esophagus, colon, liver and pancreas. They also treat problems such as diarrhea, rectal bleeding and unexplained weight loss. They may work alone or as part of a group medical practice. They may also be required to work long hours, including weekends and holidays.
Education to become a gastroenterologist starts with four years of undergraduate study, followed by medical school. During this time, students learn about science and medicine, and are introduced to the human body. Upon graduation, doctors must complete two to three years of residency training to gain hands-on experience.
After completing this program, gastroenterologists can find jobs in government and private hospitals, health care networks or group medical practices. The salary varies according to the location, skills & years of experience. Gastroenterologist is one of the highest paying careers in the healthcare sector.
Training
Gastroenterologists start their careers as general physicians, completing three years of medical school and then working as part of a team that treats all kinds of conditions. They focus on diseases that affect the digestive tract during their residency.
The gastrointestinal tract includes your stomach, intestines and liver (which produce digestive enzymes). It also includes the organs that help digest food, such as your gallbladder, pancreas and bile duct.
In addition to their general medical knowledge, gastroenterologists undergo extensive specialized training (fellowship) in gastroenterology. This hands-on, intense and rigorous programme allows them to learn directly from nationally recognized experts in the field and develop a detailed understanding of the gastrointestinal tract.
Their fellowship training gives them the expertise to perform advanced endoscopic procedures such as sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, esophageal manometry, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic mucosal resection. It also gives them the skills to interpret imaging and pathology results. They are also trained in hepatology, which focuses on the study of the gallbladder, pancreas, liver and biliary tree.
Specialization
Gastroenterologists focus on the digestive tract structures that begin at your mouth and end at your rectum. They diagnose and treat diseases of your gastrointestinal tract that include the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, colon, liver, bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreas.
They are trained in the use of diagnostic procedures that include observing your abdominal organs from the outside and with the aid of imaging tests such as X-rays and ultrasound. They also have intensive training in performing endoscopic procedures like upper and sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopies. These involve the use of narrow, flexible lighted tubes with built-in video cameras to view your intestinal tract.
In addition, they are trained in advanced endoscopic procedures like polypectomy (removal of colon polyps), esophageal and intestinal dilation and hemostasis (injection or cautery to stop bleeding). They are also skilled in interpreting the results of laboratory studies of your poop and stool as well as the biopsies taken from your GI tract tissue.
Certification
Gastroenterologists have extensive training and are very accurate in diagnosing GI tract problems. They know how the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts work together to break down food, absorb nutrients and remove waste from your body.
They also have specialized training in endoscopic procedures. These involve using long, flexible tubes with cameras on the ends to inspect your digestive tract from inside. They are trained in procedures like sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies of the upper GI tract, as well as ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and wireless capsule endoscopy of the lower GI tract, including the rectum and anus.
When you see a gastroenterologist, they may start with questions about your symptoms and then do a physical exam of your digestive tract. They will also order follow-up tests, such as blood samples and imaging exams such as X-rays of your stomach and intestines. They will also ask about your family history of gastrointestinal diseases.
