Gastroenterologists: Digestive Health Experts — Conditions, Diagnostics & Treatments

Gastroenterologists are physicians with specialized training (3-year fellowship after internal medicine residency) in diseases of the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts) and nutrition.

Conditions They Diagnose & Treat

• Esophagus: GERD, Barrett's esophagus, eosinophilic esophagitis, achalasia, strictures
• Stomach: Gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, H. pylori, gastroparesis, gastric cancer
• Small Intestine: Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, SIBO, malabsorption, tumors
• Colon/Rectum: IBS, ulcerative colitis, diverticular disease, polyps, colorectal cancer, hemorrhoids, fissures
• Liver: Hepatitis (viral, autoimmune, alcoholic, NASH), cirrhosis, fatty liver, liver cancer
• Pancreas/Biliary: Pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, gallstones, bile duct stones, cholangitis
• Functional/Motility: IBS, functional dyspepsia, chronic constipation, fecal incontinence

Key Diagnostic & Therapeutic Procedures

Procedure	Purpose
Upper Endoscopy (EGD)	Visualize esophagus, stomach, duodenum; biopsy, dilate, treat bleeding, place feeding tubes
Colonoscopy	Screen for/diagnose colon polyps/cancer, IBD, bleeding; polypectomy
ERCP	Diagnose/treat bile/pancreatic duct stones, strictures, leaks (therapeutic)
EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound)	High-res imaging of GI wall layers & adjacent organs; FNA biopsy
Capsule Endoscopy	Visualize small bowel mucosa (Crohn's, bleeding, tumors)
Manometry	Measure esophageal/anorectal pressure & coordination (achalasia, incontinence)
pH/Impedance Monitoring	Quantify acid/non-acid reflux
Liver Biopsy / FibroScan	Assess fibrosis, inflammation, steatosis
Breath Tests	SIBO (glucose/lactulose), H. pylori (urea), lactose/fructose intolerance

When to See a Gastroenterologist

• Persistent heartburn/regurgitation despite OTC meds
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or painful swallowing
• Unexplained abdominal pain >2 weeks
• Change in bowel habits (chronic diarrhea/constipation)
• Rectal bleeding or black/tarry stools
• Unintentional weight loss
• Anemia (iron deficiency) without obvious cause
• Family history of GI cancer (earlier screening)
• Abnormal liver tests or imaging
• Age 45+ for colorectal cancer screening (earlier if risk factors)

Multidisciplinary Care

Gastroenterologists collaborate with:

• GI Surgeons (resection, hernia repair, bariatric surgery)
• Hepatologists (advanced liver disease, transplant)
• Radiologists (CT, MRI, interventional procedures)
• Pathologists (biopsy interpretation)
• Dietitians/Nutritionists (celiac, IBD, IBS, short bowel, malnutrition)
• Oncologists (GI cancers)

Early evaluation by a gastroenterologist can prevent complications, improve quality of life, and detect cancer at curable stages.