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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a Gastroenterologist in Seattle, 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 Seattle who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Seattle 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 Seattle and book appointments instantly. You can search for Seattle 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 Seattle Gastroenterologists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Gastroenterologists in Seattle who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Seattle Gastroenterologists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Gastroenterologists in Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle. Many Gastroenterologists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that has to do with the digestive system. The digestive system involves the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, comprising the esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. A gastroenterologist also deals with problems in the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
Gastroenterology is a subspecialty of internal medicine. A doctor who trains in gastroenterology is known as a gastroenterologist. Gastroenterologists do not perform surgeries. They often coordinate the best approach for a patient and any post-surgery care with surgeons.
Becoming a gastroenterologist is a lengthy and challenging process requiring over a decade of education and training. It begins with earning a Bachelor of Science degree, which typically takes four years. During this time, students complete coursework in physics, biology, chemistry, anatomy, and psychology, among other subjects. Along with these foundational courses, students are required to take classes in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physiology to prepare for the next steps.
After completing their undergraduate studies, students must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), a required exam for medical school admission. The MCAT is a rigorous, seven-hour test that evaluates knowledge in various scientific and analytical areas. Success on this exam opens the door to medical school, where the first two years focus on classroom learning, covering topics like medical ethics, pharmacology, and pathology. The last two years involve hands-on clinical rotations, offering exposure to different medical fields.
Graduating from medical school earns a student either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, but the path continues beyond there. Next comes the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), which assesses practical skills and clinical knowledge. After passing the first two parts, aspiring gastroenterologists enter a three-year residency program, gaining supervised experience with actual patients. Following this, they must pass part three of the USMLE to become licensed physicians.
For those specializing in gastroenterology, additional training is required through a fellowship. This in-depth program, lasting several years, focuses on gastrointestinal disorders and prepares doctors to manage complex cases. Finally, certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine is obtained, first in internal medicine and then in gastroenterology, marking the culmination of their training.
Gastroenterologists can diagnose and treat conditions affecting your digestive system, including the intestines, stomach, esophagus, liver, pancreas, biliary, and gallbladder. These may include:
A common procedure gastroenterologists perform is endoscopy diagnostics when they need more information about the internal digestive organs. In this procedure, a thin, long, flexible tube with a tiny video camera attached, 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 using small medical tools that 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:
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 and treat various cancers, such as:
Unless you have been to a gastroenterologist, it can be challenging to recognize digestive issues that need specialized attention. The following are signs to watch out for that might warrant an appointment with a gastroenterologist near you.
Chronic diarrhea or constipation
An infection can cause chronic diarrhea or constipation, eating unclean food, or certain medications. It becomes a cause for concern when diarrhea or constipation is frequent or lasts for weeks. A gastroenterologist can evaluate your medical history and lifestyle and conduct tests to determine why these irregular bowel movements occur.
Intense bloating
Certain foods and a sedentary lifestyle can cause your body to produce excess gas. These habits lead to bloating, a feeling where the belly feels full or tight. When bloating is temporary, it usually resolves within a day or two. Bloating also occurs due to conditions such as lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Consult a gastroenterologist to get the appropriate treatment and medication to relieve the constant discomfort.
Heartburn
Often, one needs to take heartburn seriously more to consult a gastroenterologist; this would be the right approach in most circumstances. If heartburn is severe or frequent, it is time to seek professional medical help. Chronic heartburn often stems from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and can be diagnosed only by a specialist.
Bloody stool
Hemorrhoids are the most prevalent cause of rectal bleeding and bloody stool. You should seek further treatment when hemorrhoids do not resolve with home treatments or over-the-counter (OTC) remedies. Your gastroenterologist can determine whether hemorrhoids or some other reason are causing the bleeding.
The colon, a vital digestive system component, is crucial in extracting water from residual food, forming stool, and propelling waste through the rectum for elimination. Prolonged stool retention in the colon can result in its solidification, causing difficulties in passage.
One of the primary contributors to constipation is an insufficient diet. Incorporating dietary fiber and ample water intake is essential for maintaining soft stools. Constipation can also be instigated by factors such as stress, changes in routine, and conditions affecting muscle contractions in the colon or delaying the urge to have a bowel movement. Common causes include a low-fiber diet high in meat, milk, or cheese, dehydration, insufficient physical activity, postponing bowel movements, travel, certain medications (such as antacids, pain medications, diuretics, and Parkinson's disease treatments), pregnancy, and advancing age. With constipation affecting around one-third of individuals aged 60 and over, it can be a leading cause of concern among older people.
Gastroenterologists employ a tailored approach when addressing constipation, considering key factors to ensure effective management. The plan of action includes factors such as the patient's age, general health, and medical history, which are crucial in the treatment plan. The severity and extent of the condition are carefully assessed to formulate an appropriate course of action. The patient's tolerance for specific interventions, expectations for the condition's progression, and their opinions or preferences are integral considerations.
Treatment for constipation, often managed by gastroenterologists, commonly involves the
following:
Seeking medical help is necessary for health concerns such as gastrointestinal issues. Irrespective of your GI problems, you can adopt some simple steps to improve your gut and digestive health.
If you are looking for a gastroenterologist near you, it is natural that you are worried about making the right choice. Digestive diseases can be challenging to diagnose and treat, so they need the expertise of an experienced and qualified specialist.
It would be best if you sought a board-certified gastroenterologist. Board certification means that the doctor has undergone all the necessary training and passed the board exam over the stipulated period. The profiles listed on Zocdoc provide information on the practitioner's educational qualifications and professional credentials to help you with this.
Previously, you would have had to contact friends, family members, and co-workers to get referrals to gastroenterologists before setting up an appointment. With Zocdoc, you get all this information and more with just the click of a button. You can also use the filters to check their insurance coverage. If you prefer to keep your insurance details private from your provider while booking an appointment on Zocdoc, you can acknowledge that you plan to pay out-of-pocket. While some providers may require insurance information to secure an appointment, you can easily find alternative providers on Zocdoc who accommodate your preference for self-pay. You can visit Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related questions.
Check the reviews by actual patients to understand the doctor's bedside manner and approach. Patient reviews will likely mention their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the appointment and treatment. Only when you are satisfied should you book an appointment with a gastroenterologist near you. All bookings made on Zocdoc are secure, safe, and free.
Gastrointestinal problems are widespread across the world and can manifest as different diseases. About 10-15% of adults in the United States suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but only half get diagnosed. Pain is a frequently observed symptom; 20 to 40% of gastroenterologist visits are IBS-related. Similarly, about 20% of the population experiences gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) weekly symptoms.
In Washington, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer. About 38 people in 100,000 are detected with this form of cancer annually. The state is trying to bring down this number and is seeing success. Nearly 38% of colorectal cancer cases across the state were in the early stage. Mortality rates have declined over the years and stand at approximately 14 per 100,000.
The statewide outbreak of Hepatitis A ended in September 2021, and King County, where Seattle lies, also experienced a reduction in cases simultaneously. The years from 2010 to 2019 saw only a maximum of 16 cases of Hepatitis A annually in King County. This figure was nearly 199 from January 2019 to September 2021.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
American College of Gastroenterology
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.