What is gastroenterology, and who are gastroenterologists?
Gastroenterologists are medical doctors (MDs) or doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) who specialize in gastroenterology. People also refer to gastroenterologists as 'GI' doctors, where 'GI' stands for gastrointestinal.
'Gastro' means 'stomach,' 'Entero' means 'intestine,' and 'logy' means 'the study of.' Gastroenterology is the study of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It involves studying the normal functioning of the esophagus, colon, rectum, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver. All regular activity and disease of the digestive organs are part of gastroenterology.
Education required to become a gastroenterologist
After completing an undergraduate degree, students aspiring to become gastroenterologists must attend medical school and undergo a three-year internal medicine residency. They need to complete a specialized fellowship training in gastroenterology that takes 2-3 years to complete. Groups like the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the American Board of Internal Medicine oversee the advanced fellowship training.
After completing the fellowship training, they qualify to take the American Board of Internal Medicine's gastroenterology board certification test. Upon clearing the test, they become board-certified and can legally practice across the United States of America.
Aspiring gastroenterologists undergo intense training under field experts. Their research involves examining the movement of substances through the stomach and intestines, investigating the digestion and nutrient assimilation processes in the body, and the liver's role in these functions. They learn to diagnose gastrointestinal issues, provide treatments to improve health, and prevent diseases. They also receive training in performing upper endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy.
Gastroenterologists develop the skills to perform complex endoscopic procedures, such as polyp removal, bleeding control, and esophageal or intestinal dilation. They learn to accurately interpret the results of these procedures and biopsy samples to make informed decisions about treatment and cancer prevention. Some gastroenterologists also receive training in advanced endoscopic procedures, such as endoscopic biliary examination, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and placement of internal drainage tubes. This training allows them to remove gallstones non-surgically, provide minimally invasive alternatives to surgery, and evaluate and treat gastrointestinal tract tumors.
Conditions treated by gastroenterologists
Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat various conditions, including common gastrointestinal diseases that impact the stomach and intestines. These conditions comprise:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Affecting the digestive system, IBS manifests as symptoms like excessive gas, abdominal pain, and cramps. It is a prevalent yet discomforting gastrointestinal disorder.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): This group of disorders leads to chronic inflammation in the intestines, causing pain and swelling. Gastroenterologists can manage Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which impact the digestive system, using treatments for lifelong care.
- Celiac disease: An inherited autoimmune disorder, this triggers a reaction in the body to gluten, a protein.
- Constipation: It occurs when a person has bowel movements less than three times a week, typically resulting in small, rigid, or difficult-to-pass stools. If constipation persists for most weeks, you should seek consultation with a gastroenterologist near you. Managing constipation at home can be challenging due to its various causes. A gastrointestinal specialist can assess the likely cause of constipation and suggest lifestyle adjustments and medications to promote regular bowel movements.
Esophageal disorders treated by gastroenterologists include:
- Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia): It is a medical term denoting difficulty swallowing due to the coordinated action of muscles and nerves moving food or drink from the mouth to the stomach.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Also known as acid reflux, GERD occurs when stomach acid rises into the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. It may occur after a large, rich meal or lying down too soon after eating.
- Esophagitis: In this situation, inflammation occurs in the esophagus, the passage that transports food from the throat to the stomach.
Gastroenterologists also address liver diseases, including:
- Viral hepatitis: This is a liver inflammation due to a viral infection, which results in swelling and pain.
- Fatty liver disease (steatotic liver disease): It encompasses various conditions associated with fat accumulation in the liver.
- Cirrhosis: It is a late-stage liver disease marked by the gradual substitution of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue.
Additionally, they manage pancreatic, biliary, and gallbladder diseases like:
- Gallstones: Solid particles forming in the gallbladder, a pear-shaped organ storing bile.
- Cholecystitis: Inflammation in the gallbladder, located under the liver and responsible for storing bile.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation in the pancreas causing swelling and pain, often resembling stomach pain spreading to the back.
How do gastroenterologists and proctologists differ?
Proctologists, now often referred to as colorectal surgeons, are specialized surgeons who focus on conditions affecting the large intestine, and this includes the rectum, colon, and anus. The term "proctologist" is less commonly used today, with colorectal surgeons offering a broader range of expertise, often treating conditions across the entire gastrointestinal tract.
The key difference between a colorectal surgeon (or proctologist) and a gastroenterologist is their training. After medical school, colorectal surgeons complete five years of surgical residency, focusing on general surgery before specializing in colorectal procedures. While they can diagnose, examine, and prescribe treatments, their expertise lies in performing surgeries. In contrast, gastroenterologists diagnose and manage digestive disorders but do not perform surgeries. If surgery is needed, a gastroenterologist will likely refer the patient to a colorectal surgeon.
What can one expect at a gastroenterology appointment?
A session with a GI specialist near you usually starts with a physical examination involving external palpation or auscultation of abdominal organs and, at times, internal rectal examination. The specialist might recommend additional tests, like stool tests, blood tests, or gastrointestinal X-rays, which capture images of your organs externally.
If these assessments yield inconclusive results, gastroenterologists, who are uniquely skilled, can conduct endoscopic procedures. These involve the insertion of a thin, long, flexible tube with a camera on its end, known as an endoscope, into the body.
Endoscopic procedures can be of the following kinds:
- Upper endoscopy (EGD): This test examines the upper gastrointestinal tract, from your throat to your stomach and upper small intestine (duodenum).
- Capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy: This procedure entails the examination of the small intestine
- Colonoscopy: This test assesses the lower gastrointestinal tract or large intestine.
- Endoscopic ultrasound: This involves an upper or lower endoscopy with an ultrasound wand attached to the endoscope that aids in visualizing your biliary system.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): This procedure involves using an upper endoscope to examine the bile ducts and obtain video X-rays (fluoroscopic X-rays) of the biliary system.
- Polypectomy: This procedure enables the removal of polyps from the stomach or intestines.
- Sigmoidoscopy: This test assesses blood loss or pain in the lower large colon.
- Liver biopsy: This procedure can assess liver inflammation and fibrosis.
- Feeding tube insertion: This is a process of placing feeding tubes into the abdomen.
Endoscopic examinations provide gastroenterologists with a more detailed picture of the body, allowing them to evaluate the working of the organs and the causes behind various symptoms. If necessary, gastroenterologists can obtain tissue samples and undertake minor operations using small tools passed through the endoscope.
Endoscopy is thus a pre-surgery measure that gastroenterologists use to further their patients' health maintenance. Using the endoscope, gastroenterologists can ease blockages, open narrowing channels, halt bleeding, and remove malignancies. They can also assess the results of the biopsy.
What treatments do gastroenterologists offer?
Gastroenterologists offer a variety of treatments for digestive issues, which can range from medications and lifestyle modifications to more invasive procedures like surgery and organ transplantation. While some treatments can be administered directly by the gastroenterologist, others may necessitate collaboration with a team of specialists such as surgeons, dietitians, and oncologists.
In many cases, lifestyle changes can greatly improve digestive problems. These adjustments may involve dietary modifications, increased hydration, changes in eating habits, weight loss, regular exercise, smoking cessation, and alcohol cessation. Often, gastroenterologists recommend these strategies in conjunction with medical treatments.
The range of medications available to treat digestive disorders may include antibiotics, antacids, antidiarrheals, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2 blockers, and promotility agents like Reglan (metoclopramide). Gastroenterologists may recommend anti-inflammatory medications, including biologic therapies for inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally, they may recommend over-the-counter options such as stool softeners, laxatives, fiber supplements, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and hemorrhoid creams. A gastroenterologist can prescribe any of these treatments as needed, tailoring the approach to the patient's specific condition.
Finding the best gastroenterologist near you in Detroit, Michigan
If you experience unusual digestive problems or encounter pain and discomfort in your digestive tract, we advise against ignoring these symptoms. Waiting to see if they improve may seem acceptable, but it is risky. Untreated chronic pain not only restricts your mobility but can lead to mental health problems like depression and irritability, impacting your daily life. Zocdoc helps you treat your disease by connecting you with the best gastroenterologist in your vicinity.
Our comprehensive gastroenterology directory provides access to your location's top-rated and experienced gastroenterologists. All the gastroenterologists listed on Zocdoc are licensed under the American Board of Internal Medicine. You can choose a practitioner based on patient ratings, patient reviews, doctor's education, clinical interests and specializations, practice history, and certifications. All doctor profiles of Zocdoc are user-verified and updated to assist you in making an informed decision from the comfort of your home.
To book appointments, you must include 'Gastroenterologist' in your search query and choose from the top gastroenterologists in your area. You can also search for practitioners by mentioning your location, preferred time, and insurance carrier. The additional filters on Zocdoc can also help you refine your search.
If you're looking for gastroenterologists who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is here to assist you. Through Zocdoc, you can connect your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. Please note that only one insurance plan can be used for each appointment.
For patients with multiple insurance plans, you can add your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes. Additionally, if your healthcare provider utilizes Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can also enter your secondary insurance information there.
Booking in-person or online appointments with gastroenterologists near you with Zocdoc is free, fast, and secure.
Statistical data on GI illnesses in Michigan
A study conducted by Michigan State University researchers in October 2019 revealed a continuous rise in GI illnesses in Michigan between 2013 and 2017. According to the survey, there were over 87,500 reported cases of GI illnesses in 2015, approximately 150,000 in 2016, and over 150,000 in 2017.
The study also collected monthly data on the number of GI disease cases in Michigan in 2017. There were over 12,000 reported cases in January 2017, 26,000 in February, 29,000 in March, 14,000 in April, 11,000 in May, 6000 in June, 1000 in July, around 500 in August, 6000 in September, 12000 in October, 16,000 in November, and 18,000 in December. On studying the monthly data, experts agree that the rise in GI disease cases is inconsistent throughout the year but fluctuates according to weather conditions and land use.
The study correlated GI illness data to heat maps of average annual precipitation and population density for each county in Michigan. The results determined that the relationship between precipitation and GI illnesses in Michigan was the strongest in the spring months, coinciding with land application of agricultural fertilizers.
As of November 2023, Michigan had reported around 109,258 cases of Gastrointestinal illnesses.
Sources
American College of Gastroenterology
Cleveland Clinic
Houston Methodist
Michigan Disease Surveillance System
Healthline Media
Research Gate[1]
Research Gate[2]
Verywell Health
