Gastroenterology

Abdomen | Gastroenterology (Medicine Field)


Description

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that studies the digestive system and its disorders. Diseases treated affect the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the organs from mouth to anus, along the alimentary canal, are the focus of this specialty. Disorders may affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. The name is a combination of three Ancient Greek words gaster (stomach), enteron (intestine), and logos (reason).

Specialization

Physicians practicing in this field of medicine are called gastroenterologists. A visit to a gastroenterologist is made for early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the digestive system.

Symptoms and Diseases

(1) Diseases of the Stomach are: Ulcers, Stomach cancer, chronic indigestion (Dyspepsia), Nausea and vomiting.

(2) Diseases of the Small Intestine are: Celiac disease, Short bowel syndrome, Ulcers and bleeding, Small bowel and nutrition services, Malabsorption of nutrients.

(3) Diseases of the Pancreas are: Acute pancreatitis, Cystic fibrosis, Ampullary carcinoma, Cancer of the pancreas, chronic pancreatitis and Cysts of the pancreas.

(4) Diseases of the Liver and Bile Ducts: Bile duct stones, Liver cancer, Cirrhosis, Hepatitis (A, B and C hepatitis) and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Diagnosis, Treatment and Benefits

Gastroenterology’s investigations are: Abdominal Angiogram, Abdominal Ultrasound, Abdominal X-rays, Barium Enema, Barium Swallow, Cholecystography, Colonoscopy, Computed Tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen, of the liver and biliary tract and of the pancreas, Endoscopic retrograde, Cholangiopancreatography, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, gallbladder scan, liver biopsy, Sigmoidoscopy, Upper gastrointestinal series.

Gastroenterological surgery that can be performed are: Appendectomy, Cholecystectomy, Gastric Bypass Surgery, Gastric Stapling Surgery, Laparoscopy and Liver Transplantation. ...