Gastroenterology Specialty

Physicians who specialize in gastroenterology focus on the digestive systems of the human being. This is not just the stomach as some people may think. It is also the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, small intestine, esophagus and the colon. These doctors work to prevent and diagnose diseases as well as to offer treatments.

Testing often utilizes endoscopic equipment which is less invasive than other methods. Tubes and tiny cameras are inserted into nose, mouth and rectal areas in order to find out what is going on within the digestive tracts. Endoscopic procedures include the relatively common colonoscopy, and the less well known enteroscopy, ultrasonography and photodynamic techniques.

The colonoscopy is one of the more well known procedures and has been recommended for patients over the age of 50 as routine screening devices. This procedure is no fun for the patient, that’s for sure. But it does beat the alternative of undiagnosed disease. The preparation for this screening experience begins the day before. The patient will need to be on a “liquids only” diet with no solid foods eaten. Then the patient will have to drink a gallon of prep drink which is often flavored with an artificial lemonade powder. Every twenty minutes or so, the patient will need to swig a glass of this concoction. It doesn’t taste great but a person can drink just about anything for one day. It helps to chill the jug of juice and drink each glass rapidly. A person must be prepared to remain in the bathroom for a good portion of the rest of this day while the gallon of lemony liquid does its magic work of cleaning out the intestinal tract.

On the morning after this portion of the prep has been completed, it’s time to head to the hospital. The patient must have a driver with her or him to drive them home after the colonoscopy has been completed. After arrival, the patient will be called back to a dressing room in order to disrobe and be readied for the operating table. Clad in a hospital gown, the person will be given a sedative intravenously and will then be fully ready for the procedure.

The individual will not be put under general anesthesia but rather will remain in a twilight state. A camera and tubing will be inserted through the intestinal tract so that the doctor can inspect the region. The gastroenterologist will make certain that no suspicious lumps or bumps are present. Biopsies may be taken in order to be checked out further by the laboratory technicians. If everything is A-okay, the patient will be given the thumbs up and released that same day. If suspicious findings are evident, further testing and treatments will be required.

Many gastroenterology screenings can save lives. Cancer of the pancreas, esophagus, liver and other digestive regions are often aggressive carcinomas and require rapid treatment after they’ve been identified. Other non-life threatening maladies treated by these specialists include Crohn’s disease, colitis, IBS, malabsorption issues, swallowing difficulties and more. The intricate systems necessary for eating and nourishing one’s body are complicated. If a person experiences problems in these regions, a competent gastroenterologist should be able to sort them out.