What Does a Gastroenterologist Diagnose and Treat?

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine dedicated to the research, identification, and care of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Your GI tract is comprised of important gastric organs, such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, gallbladder, colon, liver, and pancreas. Any disruption in this important system can have a seriously damaging impact on your overall wellness and should be assessed by an expert in the field. Specialists in gastroenterology are called gastroenterologists. Arizona Digestive Health is one of Arizona's leading doctor-led networks of gastroenterologists (GI specialists), and we are devoted to supplying education and resources that help our patients attain better digestive health. You can locate a local gastroenterologist in Phoenix, AZ by calling our staff. What does a gastroenterologist achieve, and when should you find one? Continue reading to learn.

What is a GI physician?

Gastroenterologists are doctors who have finished about 5 – 6 years of specialized practice in the field of gastroenterology after graduating from medical school. These doctors have a deep understanding of what good digestion and stool disposal look like, in addition to common afflictions and disorders that can hinder digestive operation. A GI doctor undergoes extensive education on how to carry out endoscopic exams, including an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy, which can both be carried out to recognize and provide care for various ailments of the GI system.

What does a GI doctor treat?

A GI doctor could provide care for an extensive variety of digestive diseases and situations. Some of the most broadly treated diseases include:

• Gallbladder stones or cholelithiasis: When bile becomes solid in the gallbladder, gallbladder stones are the consequence.

• Inflammatory bowel disease: Conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease cause chronic inflammation in the intestinal tract.

• Cancer: A gastroenterologist will help handle cancers of the digestive tract, including colon and rectal cancer and stomach cancer.

• Celiac disease: The immune system behaves adversely to the ingestion of gluten, which leads to damage to the small intestines.

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD: This disease is marked by repeated and constant acid reflux.

• Pancreatitis: This condition leads to inflammation of the pancreas.

In addition to treating the above ailments, GI doctors often execute standard colonoscopies to diagnose, care for, and manage colon cancer, which is amid the top causes of cancer deaths in the United States. You can locate a colonoscopy physician nearby through Arizona Digestive Health. A doctor in our system is available in Phoenix, AZ.

When should you visit a GI doctor?

You should talk to a gastroenterologist when you are experiencing some indicators or symptoms of GI afflictions, such as:

• Bloody stool

• Lasting constipation

• Chronic diarrhea

• Serious flatulence

• Pale bowel movements

• Stomach pain or discomfort

• Serious or repetitive heartburn

Even when you do not show all of the above symptoms, we recommend you see a gastroenterologist for regular colonoscopies. You should start normal colorectal cancer screenings around 45 years old and then once every ten years if you are of low risk and your findings are normal. If you are at elevated risk, like possessing a family history of colon and rectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, then it is usually suggested you undergo tests earlier and more often. You can find a GI doctor near you by talking to Arizona Digestive Health.

Would you like to talk to a GI specialist in Phoenix, AZ?

If you or a family member is having distressing digestive symptoms, you can believe in the GI specialists at Arizona Digestive Health to provide master, patient-centric care. Our compassionate GI specialists are in the midst of the top professionals in the industry, and our purpose is to accomplish the utmost clinical standards. Get in touch with our office in Phoenix, AZ to discover more.