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Who are gastroenterologists? What diseases do they treat?

Gastroenterologists are experts in treating various conditions affecting the digestive tract (including the stomach, esophagus, small intestine, colon, rectum, gallbladder, and bile ducts) and liver. Some common conditions include the following: peptic ulcers, colon polyps, hepatitis, pancreatitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), colitis, colon cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Who is a pediatric gastroenterologist?

A pediatric gastroenterologist is, first and foremost, a pediatrician with additional training in gastrointestinal conditions. After completing three years of general pediatric medicine residency, pediatric gastroenterologists undergo an additional three years of training to focus on gastrointestinal and liver disorders in children. They specifically study nutrition and learn to evaluate signs and symptoms in children, as well as perform inspections and simple surgeries on their smaller bodies.

If your child has eating, food allergy, or digestive issues, consult your pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist. They can address various conditions, including food allergies, intolerances, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel diseases, malnutrition, feeding disorders, infant colic, GERD, and others.

What do the suffixes FACG and FACP following a gastroenterologist's name mean?

Suffixes such as FACG and FACP after gastroenterologists' names denote honors conferred by recognized national societies, Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology (FACG) and Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) in the US. Gastroenterologists are eligible for this unique award when they demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in gastroenterology, such as research or teaching.

How are gastroenterologists different from physicians? 

Gastroenterologists train in internal medicine, whereas physicians train in general medicine. After finishing medical school, a physician pursues a two-year postgraduate degree in general medicine. Gastroenterologists study for up to six years, including three years of residency in internal medicine and two to three years of fellowship in the subspecialties of gastroenterology. 

Gastroenterologists specialize in providing comprehensive care for all diseases affecting the gastrointestinal system (GI system). They are experts in making accurate diagnoses using endoscopy procedures and are well-versed in all treatment methods, thus making them best suited for providing thorough and complete care.

When should you visit a gastroenterologist near you?

You should consult a GI specialist if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Constipation: Although bowel movements' frequencies vary from person to person, constipation usually occurs when bowel movements occur less than three times per week. Besides this, other symptoms of constipation include hardened feces that are difficult to pass. You must visit a gastroenterologist if constipation persists for a long time, as this can strain your pelvic floor muscles. These specialists can assist you in detecting the underlying problem and suggest lifestyle changes or medications to help you regulate your bowel habits.

• Ongoing diarrhea: If you have a history of increased bowel movement frequency or liquid stools, your gastroenterologist will evaluate you for any underlying causes of diarrhea. Diarrhea can result from an underlying infection, a medicine side effect, etc. On the other hand, persistent diarrhea can cause digestive issues like inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or malabsorption syndromes.

• Severe and persistent heartburn: Some instances of mild heartburn are treatable at home and don't require immediate medical attention. But if this occurs more than twice a week, it might be a sign of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). If this condition continues, it may lead to painful ulcers, scarring or damage to the esophageal lining, difficulty swallowing, or a heightened risk of esophageal cancer. As a result, it is essential to consult an expert, such as a gastroenterologist.

• Sudden or severe pain in the abdomen: Stomachaches are a common symptom that many patients have. Yet, the onset of intense pain, which continues for several hours, is unusual. It could be a sign of a peptic ulcer, an intestinal ulcer, or even appendicitis. Common reasons for such discomfort include liver disease, gallstones, or pancreatitis. A gastroenterologist can assist in identifying the reason for the pain and offer a solution. 

• Rectal bleeding or blood in stool: If you observe blood when you flush the toilet or on the toilet paper, it might be related to hemorrhoids. They are manageable with over-the-counter medicines or home remedies. If you don't observe any improvement and your hemorrhoids become more frequent, you should consult a gastroenterologist who can prescribe more advanced treatment options. However, it may not be safe to assume that such bleeding merely indicates hemorrhoids because it may also point to more dangerous conditions like colon cancer.

What procedures do gastroenterologists perform?

Gastroenterologists can perform various nonsurgical procedures to identify and treat such conditions. Some of the procedures they perform include:

• Upper endoscopy: This helps diagnose food pipe, stomach, and small intestine-related conditions.
• Endoscopic ultrasounds: These tests help examine the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract and other internal organs.
• Colonoscopies: These can detect colon cancer or colon polyps.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: This identifies stones or tumors in the bile duct area.
• Sigmoidoscopy: This evaluates blood loss or pain in the lower large bowel.
• Liver biopsy: This assesses inflammation and fibrosis in the liver.
• Capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy: These procedures examine the small intestine.
• Feeding tube insertion: This is used to insert feeding tubes into the abdomen.

How should I prepare for my appointment with a gastroenterologist?

Before seeing a gastroenterologist near you, inquire about and follow any dietary or medication restrictions. Make a list of your symptoms, all the medicines you regularly take (including over-the-counter drugs, nutritional supplements, and herbal remedies), and questions about your problem that you want to clarify with your doctor. 

After recording a detailed medical history and performing a complete physical examination, gastroenterologists recommend various diagnostic tests, such as laboratory breath tests, endoscopy, and barium swallow, to detect peptic ulcers. 

What are peptic ulcers, and how do they develop?

Peptic ulcers are sores or ulcers that develop in the stomach and the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).

A thick mucus lining protects the stomach and intestines from the damaging effects of digestive juices. Peptic ulcers occur when this protective lining reduces in thickness or gets damaged. Changes in the mucus layer typically occur following Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and excessive usage of painkillers such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

When peptic ulcers present with symptoms, they show up as intractable pain in the stomach between meals that don't go away after taking antacids, bloated stomach, nausea and vomiting, sudden and unexplained weight loss, severe heartburn, breathing issues, fainting feeling, and black colored stools.

What are refractory ulcers?

Refractory ulcers refer to peptic ulcers that don't heal with treatments. Common reasons for refractory ulcers are:

• Antibiotic resistance.
• Not taking drugs as prescribed by a doctor.
• Heavy and frequent use of both cigarettes and painkillers
• Other diseases include Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, Crohn's disease, and stomach cancer.

Treatment for refractory ulcers mainly involves eliminating other factors and changing antibiotics. 

Some common FAQs about peptic ulcers

How long do peptic ulcers take to heal?

Uncomplicated peptic ulcers generally take 2 to 3 months to heal completely.

Does milk help in treating peptic ulcers?

Drinking milk cannot treat peptic ulcers because even though milk coats the stomach lining and provides temporary relief from pain, it increases the production of acids in the stomach, thus making the situation worse.

Are antacids safe for people with peptic ulcers?

Though antacids provide short-term relief from peptic ulcer symptoms, they interfere with and reduce the potency of other medications. Patients with peptic ulcers should take antacids only after consulting a gastroenterologist.

Are there any dietary restrictions for people with peptic ulcers?

There are no dietary restrictions for people with peptic ulcers. A balanced and nutritious diet helps with faster recovery. If spicy food and caffeine consumption worsens your symptoms, avoid them.

What complications can occur if I don't manage my peptic ulcers on time?

Suppose peptic ulcers are not diagnosed and treated on time. In that case, they can lead to holes in the stomach wall, obstruction of the digestive tract, vomiting and sudden weight loss, increased bleeding leading to anemia and blood loss, and increased risk of developing gastric cancer.

Are there any home remedies for peptic ulcers?

The symptoms of peptic ulcers can be relieved, and the healing process sped up while you wait for your appointment with a gastroenterologist. For this, you can:

• Switch to a different pain reliever
• Change your painkiller
• Reduce stress with a healthy diet and regular exercise
• Make lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, avoiding tobacco and spicy foods
• Limit alcohol consumption 
• Select alternative medicines like items containing bismuth, zinc, and mastic powder

What are the causes of constipation?

The various causes of slow stool movement and chronic constipation may include the following:

• Pain medications
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not eating fibrous foods
• Not using the toilet when there is an urge
• High blood pressure
• A sedentary lifestyle or physical inactivity
• Allergies
• Depression
• Seizures
• Nervous system disorder
• Weakness or lack of coordination in the pelvic floor muscles
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Changes or damage to the tissues in the rectum or colon
• Hyperthyroidism
• Tumors in the rectum or colon or nearby tissues
• Diabetes
• Parkinson’s disease
• Pregnancy
• Nerve damage or dysfunction
• Multiple sclerosis

How do gastroenterologists treat constipation?

Gastroenterologists first diagnose the actual cause of constipation and then suggest appropriate treatment. The various treatments that a gastroenterologist near you may recommend include the following:

• Diet and lifestyle changes

Drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated. Eat fiber-rich foods like green vegetables, fruits, cereal, whole grain bread, and rice daily. Do not suppress the need to pass stool. Practice good bowel habits and increase your physical activity. Do moderate exercises like walking or cycling daily that move every muscle and improve blood flow. 

• Laxatives

Laxative medicines help improve proper stool movement through the large intestine. They could include fiber supplements, cosmetics, lubricants, stimulants, and stool softeners. Depending on the condition, the doctor may suggest appropriate laxatives.

• Enemas and suppositories

An enema is a type of fluid gently pumped into the rectum to enable bowel movement. Different fluids used include mineral oil, tap water, or tap water with mild soap. Gastroenterologists use enemas in patients with rectum blockage and stool. 

A suppository is a tube-shaped object placed into the rectum to deliver medicines. It may contain a lubricant, osmotic, or stimulant laxative. The suppository melts inside the body and releases the medication. 

• Pelvic muscle training

The doctor may suggest biofeedback training which involves using special devices to relax the muscles and coordinate the muscle functions in the pelvis, anus, and rectum.

• Prescription medications

The doctor may suggest prescription medicines when other treatments fail to work. Also, if opioid pain medications cause constipation, prescription medicines may help block the effect of opioids on bowel movement and facilitate passage of stool through the colon and rectum. 

• Surgery

The GI specialist may recommend surgery to correct the irregularities or damage to the nerves or tissues in the rectum or colon. Surgery is usually the last resort when all other nonsurgical treatments and medications fail to treat chronic constipation. 

How to find the best gastroenterologist in Miami, Florida?

Though treating peptic ulcers is never permanent and ulcers tend to recur frequently, they can lead to untoward complications without timely treatment. Seeing a gastroenterologist at the first knowledge of symptoms helps avoid damage to the digestive system. The Zocdoc website is the perfect place to find the best gastroenterologists who excel in treating peptic ulcers.

The comprehensive database and user-friendly interface in Zocdoc help you quickly find all the gastroenterologists practicing near your residence. Fill in simple search boxes, such as your problem or symptom and area, and Zocdoc will immediately list all the gastroenterologists near you. 

To maintain transparency, every gastroenterologist on Zocdoc comes with a profile page that contains detailed information about educational qualifications, certifications, fellowships, work experience, awards, and verified patient stories. 

With Zocdoc, you can filter gastroenterologists based on the insurance they accept. Fill in your insurance, and you will see doctors within that network on the screen. If you don't find your insurance plan listed, you can try uploading an image of your medical insurance card (please note that this feature is only available for medical insurance cards, not vision or dental). Our team will scan the image of your card and display your likely plan. If you encounter any issues while uploading the photo of your card, feel free to reach out to our service team for assistance. For further insurance-related questions, you can also visit Zocdoc's Patient Help Center.

All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!

Peptic ulcer statistics in Miami, USA

As reported by the Florida state government, Florida saw around 277 deaths from peptic ulcers in 2021. The age-adjusted rate per 100,000 was 0.8, significantly less than the 2002 value of 1.2. Miami-Dade County saw 25 deaths from peptic ulcers in 2021, with an age-adjusted rate per 100,000 of 0.7. While Miami-Dade County had the highest number of deaths due to peptic ulcers in the state, Gulf County had the highest death rate in the state, with a rate of 12 deaths per 100,000 people. 

Two authors from Miami, Florida, published a paper on BMC Gastroenterology titled "The Role of Endoscopy and Findings in COVID-19 Patients, an Early North American Cohort." Thirty-six medical centers in the US and Canada participated in the study. Out of the data collected from 1992 patients, only 24, or 1.2%, underwent endoscopy for gastrointestinal manifestations.

Sources

American College of Gastroenterology

Healthline 

Mayo Clinic[1]

Mayo Clinic[2]

Mayo Clinic[3]

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

BMC Gastroenterology

Houston Methodist

FLHealthCharts

WebMD

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.