Who is a gastroenterologist?
A gastroenterologist specializes in illnesses and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), which includes the following organs; the stomach, esophagus, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, and bile ducts.
What is gastroenterology?
To practice gastroenterology, one must have a detailed understanding of the functioning of the gastrointestinal organs: how the food we eat moves through the stomach and intestines, how nutrients in these foods get digested and absorbed into the body, how waste gets eliminated from the body, and how the liver functions as a digestive organ. The list also includes nutritional problems, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pancreatitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn), peptic ulcer disease, colitis, gallbladder and biliary tract diseases, and colon polyps and cancer. In essence, gastroenterologists study both the healthy functions and conditions of the digestive system.
Training and education of gastroenterologists
After a three-year internal medicine residency, a gastroenterologist is eligible for extra specialized training (fellowship) in gastroenterology. This fellowship is 2-3 years long. Thus, gastroenterologists have had 5-6 years of additional technical education after medical school by the time they complete their training.
Fellowship training allows aspiring gastroenterologists to learn directly from experts and comprehensively understand gastrointestinal illnesses. They train in assessing patients with gastrointestinal problems, treating a wide range of diseases, and making suggestions for health and disease prevention. They learn how to care for private office and hospital patients.
What do these letters after the doctor's name — FACG, FACP — mean?
When gastroenterologists display exceptional performance in research, teaching, or other distinctive services to Gastroenterology, they are honored by national associations. Such physicians are designated as "Fellows" by the American College of Gastroenterology and the American College of Physicians, and the suffixes FACG and FACP are added to reflect these accolades. It signifies that these doctors have met the stringent requirements of their respective organizations to earn this designation.
What common conditions do gastroenterologists treat?
A gastroenterologist is trained to diagnose, treat, and manage the following conditions:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscle that opens when you swallow food and closes back again to keep the food in your stomach. When the LES weakens or relaxes, acid reflux can occur, i.e., the acid in your stomach flows backward into the esophagus and mouth and irritates and inflames the esophagus tissues. This sensation may feel like a burning stomach pain after eating or a burning chest pain close to the sternum. While acid reflux is quite common and can happen to anyone occasionally, chronic acid reflux or GERD is a constant problem and leads to complications like ulcers in the esophagus, reflux traveling to the throat while sleeping and aggravating existing asthma. GERD can be managed with medicines most of the time. However, in some cases, minor surgery may be required.
- Viral Hepatitis: Viral hepatitis is categorized into 5 types- Hepatitis A does not usually cause chronic infection and has no complications. Most patients with hepatitis B recover. However, there may be some cases of life-long infections. Hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of liver disease in the United States and may require a liver transplant. Persons with this type of viral hepatitis often show no symptoms. Hepatitis D can only happen to those individuals affected by hepatitis B. Hepatitis E is commonly spread through the ingestion of contaminated water and/or food. Hepatitis A, D, and B have vaccines and can be easily prevented. Hepatitis E vaccines are not available all over the world. No vaccine currently exists for hepatitis C. Hepatitis A, B, and C can be contagious through sharing infected or dirty needles, being in direct contact with infected blood, sexual contact with an infected person, and needle stick injuries. Most forms of viral hepatitis can be managed with prescription medications.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS is a gastrointestinal (GI) condition characterized by symptoms like abdominal pain or cramps, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, and feeling like you are unable to empty your bowels. While the exact cause of IBS is not yet known, some potential causes could be a sensitive GI tract, altered gut bacteria, severe infections affecting the GI tract, allergies to certain foods, and childhood stressors. A gastroenterologist will diagnose your IBS by asking about your symptoms, stress, medications, and if there has been a change in the way your poop looks. They may also order tests such as stool tests, blood tests, colonoscopy, and upper endoscopy. While there isn't a cure for IBS, it can be managed by incorporating diet and lifestyle changes, as well as understanding and avoiding things that trigger your IBS. Your gastroenterologist may also prescribe medication to relieve IBS symptoms.
When to go to a gastroenterologist?
It would be best to find a gastroenterologist near you for the following problems:
- Consistent diarrhea: Various factors, including diet, infection, and some drugs, may cause diarrhea. Seeing a gastroenterologist is necessary if your feces is consistently more liquid than solid.
- Constipation: The frequency of bowel motions varies from person to person, but anything fewer than three times a week is termed constipation. You may be constipated if your bowel movements are tiny, firm, or difficult to pass. Consult a gastroenterologist if you have constipation for longer than a few weeks.
- Heartburn that is frequent or severe: Heartburn shouldn't be a big deal if it happens now and then, and the good news is that gastroenterologists can usually treat it at home. However, if you experience heartburn more than a couple of times each week, it could indicate GERD, which damages and scars the esophageal lining over time.
- Experiencing weird bloating: Bloating, which can make you feel like your stomach is full or tight, is frequently caused by excessive gas production, hypersensitivity to gas, or trapped gas in your colon. A gastroenterologist can help you determine what's causing your bloating and how to treat it most effectively.
- Abdominal discomfort that comes on suddenly or is quite severe: We have all experienced stomachaches, but severe abdominal discomfort that lasts for hours or comes on abruptly and fiercely isn't normal. Gallstones, pancreatitis, or liver illness can all cause significant and frequent abdominal pain. A gastroenterologist can assist you in determining the source of your discomfort.
- Blood in your feces or rectal bleeding: It could be hemorrhoids if you see blood on your toilet paper or when flushing the toilet. Hemorrhoids are generally treated with at-home cures or over-the-counter medicines. If your hemorrhoids aren't responding to these therapies, a gastroenterologist can offer more advanced treatments to help you obtain relief. Also, don't automatically assume that blood in the toilet indicates hemorrhoids. It's vital to consult a gastroenterologist if you notice any blood in your stool or experience rectal bleeding with changes in your bowel habits or the color or consistency of your stool.
- If you're over 45 or have a significant family history of colorectal cancer, At the age of 45, the majority of people begin getting screening colonoscopies. Your results determine the frequency of subsequent colonoscopies; however, if your findings are normal and you don't have any other risk factors, you only need to repeat the procedure every ten years.
While a colonoscopy may sound unpleasant, it has the potential to save your life. Colorectal cancer, if detected early, can lead to less aggressive therapy and a better probability of survival.
Why do gastroenterologists perform endoscopy?
Gastroenterologists perform endoscopy diagnostic procedures when they need more information about your internal digestive organs. In this procedure, a thin, long, flexible tube with an attached tiny video camera, called an endoscope, is inserted into the body. Endoscopy provides a detailed view of the digestive organs from inside the body.
Gastroenterologists can see how the organs work and identify the abnormalities causing the symptoms. They can also take tissue samples and perform minor surgical interventions with the help of minute medical tools that can pass through the endoscope.
Endoscopy is a practical intermediate step to treat gastrointestinal conditions before surgery. Gastroenterologists can treat blockages, stop bleeding, remove tumors, and open narrowed channels with the help of an endoscope.
Different types of endoscopic procedures include the following:
- Endoscopic ultrasound: Lower or upper endoscopy wherein an ultrasound wand is attached to the endoscope. It helps visualize the biliary system.
- Enteroscopy: It examines the small intestine.
- EGD, or upper endoscopy, examines the upper GI tract from the throat through the stomach and upper small intestine.
- Polypectomy: Removes polyps from the intestines or stomach during endoscopy.
- Colonoscopy: It examines the large intestine and lower GI tract
- ERCP or Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: Upper endoscopy that extends to the bile ducts and takes video x-rays of the biliary system.
Do gastroenterologists treat cancer?
Gastroenterologists are the first medical professionals to detect cancer in any of the organs of the digestive system. Through biopsy and endoscopy, gastroenterologists can identify, locate, and remove cancerous tumors from the GI tract and biliary system. They can diagnose, stage, or treat various cancers, such as:
- Colorectal cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Small intestine cancer
- Duodenal cancer
- Gastrointestinal stromal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Bile duct cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
What to expect on the first gastroenterologist visit?
Here's what you can expect when you visit a gastroenterologist near you for an initial appointment:
- Inquire about your digestive issues as well as your medical history.
- Gastroenterologists will recommend lifestyle changes or drugs that can assist in relieving your symptoms.
- They will discuss any tests, screenings, or treatments you may require.
- Your doctor will determine the origin of your digestive problems and treat your symptoms at this initial evaluation. If your disease is persistent, they will also talk to you about how to best manage it over time. If your symptoms don't improve, your doctor may suggest you undergo more testing.
How to improve your gut health?
Making changes to your daily diet and lifestyle can significantly improve your gut health. Things you could do to keep your gut healthy include the following:
- Lower the stress levels: Chronic high stress can harm the whole body, including the gut. Therefore, you must try to lower your stress and anxiety levels to lead a happy life. Body massage, meditation, regular exercise, walking, practicing yoga, quitting harmful habits like smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption can help manage stress levels and improve gut health. Spending more time with your pet, meeting your friends and family, and laughing more often helps control your stress levels.
- Sleep better: Good sleep relaxes and rejuvenates the mind and body. In contrast, insufficient sleep or poor sleep patterns can seriously impact your gut health, causing further sleep issues. Your body needs at least 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep to relax and re-energize. Therefore, focus on getting continuous sleep. See a doctor if you cannot sleep properly or have improper sleeping patterns.
- Eat slowly: Eating slowly and thoroughly chewing your food lowers the chances of obesity and diabetes. It helps the gut properly digest food and keeps the stomach healthy.
- Drink lots of water: Staying hydrated reduces the acid levels and increases bacterial diversity in the gut. It also reduces the chances of gastrointestinal infections and prevents constipation. Therefore, drink plenty of water to keep your stomach healthy.
- Change your diet: Reduce the intake of high-fat, high-sugar, and highly processed foods. Eat foods rich in fiber and micronutrients, such as fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, tea, coffee, and wine. These foods will increase your gut microbiome and improve gut health.
- Check for intolerant foods: Symptoms such as gas, bloating, abdominal pain, acid reflux, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea may indicate food intolerance or difficulty digesting certain foods. Check the foods you eat and try to eliminate the foods that trigger such symptoms. It will improve your digestive health and keep your gut healthy.
How to find gastroenterologists near you in Las Vegas, NV
If you live in Las Vegas, Nevada, and need to see a gastroenterologist, use the Zocdoc website and its thoroughly researched database to schedule an appointment from the comfort of your home. Submit a few facts, and the website will immediately find gastroenterologists who are perfect for your requirements. On every health provider's profile, you can examine the gastroenterologist's education, training, certifications, awards, and verified patient accounts.
You may also use Zocdoc to see if your preferred provider accepts your insurance plan. To find your insurance plan, you can manually browse and select your insurance carrier and plan from the drop-down menu. If that does not help you find your specific plan, you may upload a photo of your insurance card. This option is helpful if you are still looking for a particular plan. Once you upload a photo, Zocdoc will scan the image of your card and show you your likely plan. Note that you can use this option for medical insurance cards only. Dental and vision are excluded. If you need help uploading your insurance card, contact Zocdoc's service team. You can also visit Zocdoc's patient help center for answers to other insurance-related queries.
Additionally, Zocdoc allows you to arrange online appointments and in-person visits on the same day, 24 hours in advance, or even after 5 p.m., depending on the gastroenterologist's availability.
All Zocdoc appointments are quick, easy, and secure!
Gastroenterologist statistics in Nevada
The third-highest cancer burden in the US is caused by colorectal cancer (CRC). Nevada, a state in the Mountain West region that is extraordinarily diversified, has a very high CRC mortality rate compared to other Western states.
The densely populated Southern Nevada had low survival rates; after adjusting for all factors, Southern Nevadans had a 17% greater mortality risk than those in Northwestern Nevada. The populated Clark County, which includes Las Vegas and the neighboring areas, makes up Southern Nevada.
Sources
Houston Methodist
National Center for Biotechnology Information
American College of Gastroenterology
Healthline
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic[4]
