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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a Gastroenterologist in Detroit, book an appointment, and see the Gastroenterologist within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Gastroenterologists in Detroit who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Detroit Gastroenterologist who takes your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Gastroenterologists in Detroit and book appointments instantly. You can search for Detroit Gastroenterologists by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
When you search for Detroit Gastroenterologists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Gastroenterologists in Detroit who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Detroit Gastroenterologists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Gastroenterologists in Detroit who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.
Gastroenterologists in Detroit on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Gastroenterologists who offer video visits.
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Gastroenterologists in Detroit who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Gastroenterologist who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.
Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Gastroenterologists in Detroit. Many Gastroenterologists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
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.
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.
Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat various conditions, including common gastrointestinal diseases that impact the stomach and intestines. These conditions comprise:
Esophageal disorders treated by gastroenterologists include:
Gastroenterologists also address liver diseases, including:
Additionally, they manage pancreatic, biliary, and gallbladder diseases like:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
American College of Gastroenterology
Michigan Disease Surveillance System
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.