What is Gastroenterology?
Gastroenterology, also known as gastrology, is a specialized
medicinal field, concerned with the human digestive system. This branch
focuses on the study, functioning and disorders affecting the stomach,
esophagus, intestines, and many associated organs including the pancreas,
liver, and gallbladder. It is perhaps considered one of the youngest
disciplines among the subspecialties of internal medicine. As this branch is
too broad, many doctors specialize in treating disorders of the digestive
system.
Gastroesophegal reflux disease (GeRD), irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), peptic ulcer disease, GI
cancer, pancreatic cancer, cirrhosis, and hepatitis are the frequent disorders
that come under the branch of gastroenterology. Gastroenterology diseases can
cause a range of symptoms and signs including constipation, diarrhea, nausea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, epigastric pain, heart burn, indigestion,
haematemesis, rectal bleeding, tenesmus, weigh loss, right upper quadrant
pain, and right iliac fossa pain.
Gastroenterologists, specialized doctors in gastroenterology,
are trained in diagnosing and treating patients with diseases of the
gastrointestinal tract. Diagnostic procedures for gastroenterology include
endoscopic examination, laboratory tests, ultrasound, and surgery.
Diagnostic procedures comprise colonoscopy, endoscopic
retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) hagogastroduodenoscopy, endoluminal
gastroplication, liver biopsy, esophageal manometry, flexible sigmoidoscopy,
and bronchoscopy.
Esophageal function testing, Gastroduodenal manometry,
Pancreatic function test, Gastric acid analysis, Colonic transit testing, and
Barostat testing are a few among the laboratory tests for gastroenterology.
Along with antibiotics and medications, a combination of
proper attention to diet and life style are needed to reduce the symptoms of
gastroenterology.
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