Gastroenterology: What is This Internal Medicine Specialty All About?

Gastroenterology is the medical specialty that involves the digestive system. (En Español)

Gastroenterologists, or GI doctors, focus on conditions that affect the way our bodies digest food and expel waste. Our digestive tracts can be complicated so it’s important that Gastroenterologists are specially trained to help treat various conditions.

Keep reading to learn more about the training, certifications, and conditions that are involved in gastroenterology.

What is a Gastroenterologist?

This type of doctor is an internal medicine subspecialist that focuses on the gastrointestinal tract. The GI tract includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), and biliary system (organs including the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts).

Therefore, a gastroenterologist has extensive understanding of how the body moves food through itself, breaks it down (digestion), and how it absorbs nutrients and excretes waste products. GI doctors also have extensive knowledge of how the liver functions in digestion.

A GI doctor can work in an office or hospital setting. They can practice from an outpatient treatment center. Additionally, they can be researchers. Oftentimes, these doctors consult with other doctors as they manage other aspects of patient care.

How Much Training Does a Gastroenterologist Need?

A gastroenterologist has undertaken at least 13 years of training, and some have even more. First, a bachelor’s degree is earned in a science field, such as biology or chemistry. Then, there’s four years of medical school. This results in the graduate earning a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or a doctor of osteopathy degree (D.O.).

Then, the doctor must complete a 3-year residency known as a general internal medicine residency.

Then, the physician can specialize in gastroenterology by completing a 2-3 year fellowship, which is a period of intense study in all aspects of gastroenterological medicine. Following the fellowship, the physician is eligible to sit for board exams. If these exams are passed, the doctor is considered Board Certified in the specialty.

A gastroenterologist is trained to diagnose and manage these conditions, sometimes in coordination with other specialists. If you suffer from one of the listed conditions, or if another chronic illness you have affects your gastrointestinal tract, then you may benefit from the care of a gastroenterologist.

Below are a few of the most frequently asked questions about Gastroenterology.

What Tests Are Needed at a Gastroenterology Appointment?

There are a number of tests that a gastroenterologist may recommend depending on your digestive concerns. Here are a few of the most common ones:

  • Colonoscopy (checks rectum, colon, and intestinal tract)

  • Upper GI endoscopy (checks esophagus and upper gastro system)

  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy (similar to a colonoscopy, but only examines a portion of the colon)

  • Endoscopic or abdominal ultrasound

  • Abdominal Angiogram

  • CT enterography

What Conditions Does a Gastroenterologist Treat?

A gastroenterologist will see patients with the following symptoms or conditions:

  • Abdominal pain/discomfort

  • Bleeding that originates from the digestive tract (in the stool or stomach)

  • Constipation and diarrhea

  • Cancer of the digestive organs (colorectal, stomach, pancreatic, liver)

  • Swallowing difficulties

  • Diverticular disease/diseases of the colon (Crohn’s, polyps, IBS, colitis)

  • Gallbladder disease or issues

  • Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

  • Hemorrhoids

  • Hiatal Hernias

  • Digestive tract inflammation (e.g. gastritis)

  • Liver disease (hepatitis, jaundice, etc.)

  • Malabsorption disorders (e.g. celiac, lactose intolerance)

  • Stomach upset, nausea, vomiting

  • Ulcers

  • Weight loss that cannot be explained

Do I Need a Referral to See a Gastroenterologist?

You may need a referral to see a gastroenterologist. Always check with your insurance provider prior to making an appointment. We recommend seeing your primary care provider prior to seeing a gastroenterologist, as some conditions or symptoms can be treated by your primary care provider and they can best determine how to provide you with the care you need.

Can I Eat Before a Gastroenterology Appointment?

Unless otherwise instructed for say, an imaging appointment, it is perfectly fine to eat normally before your appointment.

Should I Get a Colonoscopy From My Bowie Health Gastroenterologist?

Any man or woman over the age of 50 should start getting routine colonoscopies. If results come back normal, then you may not need to come in for another colonoscopy for another 10 years. Of course, if you have a family history of colon cancer, if you are African American or you have other risk factors, then we may determine that you should come in more regularly and earlier for screenings.

Do Gastroenterologists Perform Surgery?

No. Gastroenterologists perform endoscopic procedures, but do not perform surgery. When necessary, they work closely with GI surgeons.

Gastroenterology

Many of the doctors at Bowie Internal Medicine specialize in gastroenterology. If you’re suffering from gastrointestinal problems, or you’ve been referred to our practice, please call our office to schedule an appointment or ask any questions. We’re both committed to treating any conditions you have, as well as preventing further health complications with thorough preventative care.

We are currently performing GI procedures. Please click here to ask about scheduling an appointment!