Who is a gastroenterologist?
Gastroenterologists are physicians with advanced training in diagnosing and treating the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, and biliary tree disorders. They may also be called a gastroenterology physician or a colorectal surgeon.
Gastroenterologists are experts in managing complex problems of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, including cancer. Since they specialize in the stomach, intestines, and liver, they help diagnose and treat diseases affecting these organs and the rest of the digestive system.
When you visit a gastroenterologist near you, they typically start by asking questions about your symptoms, diet, medications, family history of illness, and other factors. They will then physically examine your abdomen to see if any abnormalities or signs indicate a particular problem.
Gastroenterologists may order lab tests or imaging scans (such as X-rays) to help with diagnosis. They are also responsible for screening patients for colorectal cancer and providing advice on maintaining a healthy diet.
What are the educational qualifications of a gastroenterologist?
A gastroenterologist is usually required to complete four years of undergraduate school, four years at a medical school, three years of residency training, two to four years of fellowship training, and at least 18 months of clinical training. Additionally, they must pass a gastroenterology certification exam.
While board certification is not mandatory for practicing gastroenterologists, it can help prove their proficiency. Some gastroenterologists may complete an extra year of specialized training in areas such as pediatric gastroenterology or transplant hepatology, including research or patient care training.
What are the subspecialties of gastroenterology?
A subspecialty is a medical field focusing on specific problems in a particular area. It is a medical specialty that is less commonly practiced than the primary specialty. A physician who practices in a subspecialty has undergone additional training and has to be certified by the appropriate board of certification to practice in this area. There are some subspecialties within gastroenterology. These include:
- Pediatric gastroenterology: Centers around children's gastro health. The digestive system of youngsters works differently than adults and, hence, requires specialized care. Pediatric gastroenterologists are trained to take care of infants, children, and teens. They address and treat conditions like gastrointestinal tract bleeding, lactose intolerance, food allergies, severe or complicated gastroesophageal reflux disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, vomiting, acute or chronic abdominal pain, constipation, chronic or severe diarrhea, nutritional problems, and feeding disorders.
- Hepatology: Offers specialized care for the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas. Hepatoligsts address liver injuries caused by medication, gastrointestinal bleeding from portal hypertension, jaundice, ascites, and enzyme defects. Apart from this, they also provide a precise diagnosis for hepatitis infections, fatty liver disease (alcohol and non-alcohol-related), cirrhosis, metabolic liver diseases, and liver cancer.
- Colorectal surgery: Focuses on treating lower gastrointestinal tract (the large intestine, colon, rectum, and anus) conditions that may require surgery. These include inflammatory bowel diseases, cancers and polyps, and pelvic organ prolapse. Colorectal surgeons use techniques like colonoscopy, enteroscopy, sigmoidoscopy, laparoscopy, laparoscopic surgery, and robotic surgery for diagnosis and treatment.
- Pancreatic diseases: Provides specialized care for pancreatic health. The pancreas produces juices that break down food and hormones that control blood sugar levels. Any disturbances with the gland can lead to health problems like swelling of the pancreas, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and diabetes. The doctors here are extensively trained in the field to provide top-quality care.
- Liver diseases: Concentrates on diagnosing and treating liver-related conditions that affect gastro health. These entail hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure.
What makes a gastroenterologist different?
Gastroenterologists undergo specialized training that equips them with the skills to offer top-notch, all-inclusive care for patients with various gastrointestinal ailments. They are considered specialists in the field and are capable of performing research on gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures and interpreting the findings.
Research has indicated that gastroenterologists perform superior-quality colonoscopy examinations and offer comprehensive consultative services compared to other physicians. When Gastroenterologists perform colonoscopies, they can accurately detect more polyps and cancer; this results in patients experiencing fewer complications from procedures and spending fewer days in the hospital for multiple gastrointestinal conditions.
Gastroenterologists' ability to provide complete, precise, and comprehensive care for patients with gastrointestinal issues distinguishes them from other physicians who offer similar services.
How does your gut health affect your whole body?
Gut health is a condition of the digestive tract. This includes the stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum. The gut is linked to several other body systems like the brain and immune system. If there are any gut health issues, this could affect these systems, too.
A healthy gut can help regulate weight, moods, sleep patterns, and energy levels. It also has a vital role in digestion by breaking down food into nutrients the body can absorb. Gut bacteria control how many calories are absorbed from food, which can affect weight gain or loss.
Bad gut health can signify many things, such as an autoimmune disease, leaky gut syndrome, or food sensitivities. The gut is home to trillions of bacteria that play a crucial role in how the body functions, so it is vital to maintain good gut health.
Some symptoms, such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, chronic fatigue, or brain fog, can indicate poor gut health.
What causes constipation, and how do gastroenterologists treat it?
Constipation is a very common condition. It entails difficulty passing stool, often defined as fewer than three weekly bowel movements. Symptoms can range from hard, dry, or lumpy stools, pain when passing stools, a feeling that not all stools have passed, or rectum blockage.
There are various causes of constipation, including:
- Diet: Lack of fiber in the diet can contribute to constipation. Fiber helps add bulk to stool and facilitates bowel movements.
- Lifestyle factors: Inactivity or lack of physical exercise usually slows down the digestive system and contributes to constipation.
- Medications: Certain medications like anticonvulsants, antacids containing calcium and aluminum, anticholinergics, calcium channel blockers, narcotic pain medications, and diuretics may cause constipation.
- Medical conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hypothyroidism, anxiety, stress, depression, Parkinson's and celiac disease, colon disorders, etc., can lead to chronic constipation.
- Other causes: Other possible causes include not drinking enough water, changes in bowel movements as a person ages, and laxative abuse or overuse.
When a patient consults a gastroenterologist for constipation, the treatment approach often involves:
- Dietary changes: Gastroenterologists typically recommend increasing fiber intake through fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, whole-grain bread, and cereal.
- Adequate hydration: Doctors advise drinking more water and beverages without caffeine. This helps soften the stool and prevent bloating and gas, which usually happens with increased dietary fiber intake.
- Lifestyle modifications: Encouraging regular exercise or physical activity can support healthy bowel movements and improve overall digestive health.
- Medications: Gastroenterologists might prescribe laxatives or stool softeners to help ease constipation.
- Identifying and managing underlying conditions: If the constipation is because of an underlying medical condition, the gastroenterologist will address and manage that condition accordingly.
- Adopt healthy bowel practices: Never ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. Maintain a regular schedule and aim to pass stool around 15 to 45 minutes after meals.
- Biofeedback therapy: For some patients, especially those with pelvic floor dysfunction causing constipation, biofeedback therapy may help by teaching relaxation and coordination of pelvic muscles involved in bowel movements.
- Surgery: Surgical intervention might be essential to address issues or abnormalities in the colon, rectal tissues, or nerves. Surgery is generally the last resort when alternative treatments have proven ineffective in managing chronic constipation.
Thus, it is essential to consult with a gastroenterologist to determine the underlying cause of constipation and develop a personalized treatment plan meeting the patient's specific situation and medical history. Treatment can often vary depending on the severity and underlying causes of constipation.
When should I consult a gastroenterologist?
Since our gut health is extremely important for our well-being, it is crucial to look for signs and symptoms that indicate some sort of trouble in your gut. You should consult a gastroenterologist near you if you have had any of the following symptoms for more than a few weeks:
- Abdominal pain and discomfort that is not relieved by defecation or bowel movements.
- Loss of appetite, weight loss, and intermittent nausea.
- Diarrhea or constipation that goes on for longer than a few days.
- Blood in the stool or black stools.
- If you have unexplained bleeding from your rectum or anus, it is crucial to see a gastroenterologist.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- If you have a history of stomach ulcers, Crohn's disease, or diverticulitis, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist.
What can you expect from a gastroenterologist?
You can visit a gastroenterologist at a private practice, clinic, or hospital. Your insurance policy may require a referral from your primary care physician. During your visit, the gastroenterologist will inquire about your symptoms in detail and conduct a physical examination, which may involve pressing on your abdomen. The medical practitioner will also look for abnormalities, ask if there's any pain, and listen for unusual sounds.
Depending on your condition, the gastroenterologist may refer you for further testing or diagnostic procedures like a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy, which utilizes cameras to observe the inside of your digestive system. After reviewing the findings and confirming a diagnosis, the doctor will suggest treatment options. Some people visit a gastroenterologist for acute issues, while others with chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease may have recurring appointments.
Find a gastroenterologist near you in Dallas, Texas
The process of selecting the right gastroenterologist can be complex. There are many factors to consider, and finding a good doctor is challenging. The internet can provide you with a lot of information, but not all of it is accurate. To find a gastroenterologist nearby, simply log in to Zocdoc and type in your requirements.
We have a curated list of some of the best gastroenterologists in Dallas. You can get more information about each professional, including their qualifications, work experience, specializations, patient reviews, and if they accept your insurance plan. Adding insurance information to your Zocdoc account can simplify finding in-network providers. However, many offices will still ask you to bring your insurance card to the appointment. For related queries, feel free to check out Zocdoc's patient help center.
The patient reviews can give you a better insight into the kind of treatment plan you will receive from a medical professional. All bookings made through Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% cost-free!
Colorectal cancer statistics in Dallas, Texas
Colorectal cancer is one of the most dangerous outcomes of gastroenterological conditions. In the county of Dallas, the incidence rate for colorectal cancer between 2014 and 2018 was 38.4, which means 38.4 out of every 100,000 population reported a new case of this type of cancer.
In 2016, colorectal cancer was the 3rd leading cancer diagnosis, representing 9.2% of all new malignant cancers diagnosed in Texas. From 2012 to 2016, Texas ranked 28th out of all US states and DC in colorectal cancer incidence. The colorectal cancer incidence rate in Texas was 37.7 cases per 100,000, while the US rate was 38.7.
According to the Texas Cancer Registry, in 2016, colorectal cancer was the 2nd primary cause of cancer death in males and the 3rd leading cause in females, representing 9.6% of all cancer deaths in Texas. Most deaths were from cases that were diagnosed years before. During 2012-2016, the colorectal cancer mortality rate was 14.2 per 100,000.
Sources
American College of Gastroenterology
WebMD
Medical News Today[1]
Medical News Today[2]
American College of Physicians
Healthy North Texas
Texas Department of State Health Services
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
HealthyChildren.org
Coryell Health
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
MedlinePlus
