What is gastroenterology? Who is a gastroenterologist?
'Gastro' means 'stomach,' 'entero' means 'intestine,' and 'logy' means 'the study of.' Cumulatively, gastroenterology is the study of diseases occurring in the gastrointestinal tract. It involves studying the normal functioning of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver. All regular activity and disease of the digestive organs are part of gastroenterology.
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.
Education and training of gastroenterologists
After an undergraduate degree, aspiring gastroenterologists complete medical school and undergo three years of internal medicine residency. They also take up about three years of specialized fellowship training in gastroenterology. Groups like the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the American Gastroenterological Association, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Board of Internal Medicine oversee the advanced fellowship training.
Once fellows complete their training, they become "Board Eligible" and qualify to attempt the American Board of Internal Medicine's gastroenterology board certification test. Upon completing the board certification test, they become "Board Certified" and can legally practice in the United States.
Aspiring gastroenterologists undergo intense and rigorous training under nationally recognized experts in the field. Their research focuses on how food moves through the stomach and intestine before being digested and assimilated. They also study the function of the liver as a digestive organ.
During practical work, aspiring gastroenterologists learn to evaluate patients with gastrointestinal complaints and provide recommendations to maintain health and prevent disease by caring for patients in the office and the hospital. They also receive dedicated training in upper endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy.
What can you expect from a gastroenterology visit?
A gastroenterologist will initially inquire about the issues you are currently experiencing when you visit them. They will then want information about your medical history and digestive problems. To avoid forgetting, list all your symptoms and compile your medical history documents and current medication prescriptions before seeing gastroenterologists near you.
After glancing through the documents and understanding the symptoms, they may propose tests, treatments, or screenings to diagnose you properly. Depending on the results, they will either prescribe medication or, if necessary, suggest dietary and lifestyle changes to address your problem. Additionally, asking questions and removing any concerns regarding how the lifestyle adjustments would benefit you can be beneficial.
Preparing for your first gastroenterologist appointment: 5 frequently asked questions
Meeting with a specialist for the first time is often overwhelming. You may need clarification about what to carry to the appointment or how early to reach the clinic. However, being prepared for your gastroenterologist visit increases your chances of having a satisfactory consultation. So, find your answers about the same in the five FAQs given below:
What should you carry to the gastroenterologist appointment?
A day or two before your appointment, gather all the essential things you will likely need, such as:
- Photo identification
- Insurance card
- Doctor's referral (if applicable)
- Medical records
- Diagnostic reports
- Symptoms diary
- Current medications
- Notepad and pen
- Smartphone
When should you arrive at the doctor's clinic or hospital?
If it's your first visit, arriving at least 15 minutes early is always better, as you may have to complete some initial paperwork. Additionally, punctuality demonstrates respect for the doctor's time and consideration for others waiting behind you.
What would your gastroenterologist ask?
To accurately diagnose your condition, your gastroenterologist will have many questions about your symptoms, health history, lifestyle, and more. You can prepare detailed answers for the following common questions beforehand:
- When did you first notice your symptoms?
- What makes your symptoms better or worse?
- What treatments have you tried in the past? Did they help in any way?
- Does anyone in your family have gastrointestinal issues?
- Do you have any other health conditions?
- Do you have any allergies?
- What does your daily diet include?
- How much water do you drink daily?
- Can you describe your physical activity levels?
- What is your sleep schedule?
- Are you currently facing any stressful situation?
- Do you smoke or drink alcohol?
Are there any pre-appointment restrictions?
If the gastroenterologist is going to perform any particular diagnostic tests, you may have to fast for a certain period or avoid certain foods. Hence, it is always advisable to call the specialist's office and confirm what you can expect during the first visit.
How can you manage pre-appointment stress or anxiety?
Bringing a family member or friend to the appointment can help you feel at ease. You can also perform relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, listening to music, or watching funny videos.
When to see a gastroenterologist?
We recommend visiting a gastroenterologist if you experience trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss, frequent heartburn, or abdominal bloating. In case of constipation, diarrhea, excessive gas, rectal bleeding, slight discoloration in your stools, or a yellow shade in your skin eyes, you must visit a gastroenterologist near you as soon as possible.
Visiting a gastroenterologist shall also benefit you if your primary health care provider has diagnosed you with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis, gallbladder, biliary tract, or pancreatitis. A peptic ulcer, hepatitis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) diagnosis also requires immediate gastroenterologist intervention.
A common reason to consult a gastroenterologist includes a stomach cancer diagnosis. The disease, also called gastric cancer, is seen occurring most often in older people or those over the age of 50.
Understanding gastrointestinal conditions
Gastroenterologists' expertise encompasses disorders from functional issues to structural diseases, many of which significantly impact a person's quality of life. Below are some common gastrointestinal conditions and their treatments:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): It is a functional condition marked by abnormal contractions of the intestinal muscles, which certain foods, medications, and emotional stress can trigger. Common symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, cramps, excessive gas, fluctuating constipation, and diarrhea.
- Anal fissures: Anal fissures are painful splits or cracks in the anal lining, usually caused by passing very hard or watery stools. The exposed muscles in the fissure area may lead to severe pain, bleeding, and spasms, especially after bowel movements.
- Constipation: Constipation, a functional gastrointestinal disorder, results in difficulty passing stools, infrequent bowel movements (fewer than three per week), or a sensation of incomplete evacuation. Often, insufficient fiber intake or disruptions to diet or routine are contributing factors. Those experiencing constipation may have to strain to pass stools, which are typically small and hard. Chronic constipation may cause anal issues like fissures or hemorrhoids but rarely indicates a more serious medical condition.
- Perianal abscesses: Perianal abscesses arise when anal glands become blocked, leading to bacterial infection and pus formation. These abscesses require drainage, which can be performed under local anesthesia at the healthcare provider's office.
- Hemorrhoids: These are dilated veins in the anal canal caused by excessive straining, persistent diarrhea, or pregnancy. Hemorrhoids are classified into two types: internal (inside the anal opening) and external (just under the skin outside the anus). Internal hemorrhoids may bleed or prolapse, while external hemorrhoids can burst and cause a blood clot, leading to a condition known as a "pile."
- Anal fistula: An anal fistula often develops following an abscess and forms a tube-like channel from the anal canal to an opening near the anus. This abnormal passage causes drainage, pain, bleeding, and skin irritation due to body waste diversion. Surgery is typically necessary to drain the abscess and close off the fistula, as spontaneous healing is rare.
- Colon polyps and cancer: Colorectal cancer is the second most frequent cancer in the United States, with 130,000 cases identified each year. Fortunately, advancements in screening and early intervention have improved the prognosis, making colorectal cancer one of the most treatable forms. Screening tests enable the prevention, early detection, and management of colorectal cancer before symptoms develop.
- Diverticular disease: Diverticular disease, often seen in Western cultures, involves the formation of small pouches (diverticula) in the weakened areas of the colon, commonly in the sigmoid region. This condition, which affects a large percentage of adults over 40, can lead to diverticulitis, characterized by infection or inflammation of these pouches.
How to improve gut health?
Simple diet and lifestyle modifications can help keep your gut and body healthy. These include the following:
A healthy diet
Healthy foods do not just keep the gut healthy but also improve your overall health and well-being. Lower your intake of high fats, high sugar, and processed foods, as it is unhealthy for the gut and the body. Essential foods that you must eat to improve gut health include:
- High-fiber foods: Foods such as fruits, nuts, legumes, green leafy vegetables, and whole grains.
- Garlic: Garlic extract helps dramatically increase the gut's bacterial diversity, improving health.
- Fermented foods: They contain probiotics, which encourage the growth of good bacteria. These foods include yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
- Collagen-rich foods: These foods are beneficial for the gut and overall health. They include nuts, eggs, meat, broccoli, and citrus fruits.
Eat slowly
Binge eating and gulping down food without chewing affect the digestive capabilities of the gut. Eat your meals slowly and thoroughly chew the food. It helps with proper digestion and lowers the risks of obesity and diabetes. Slow eating also allows you to make more nutritious and quantity-appropriate food selections.
Lower stress levels
Chronic stress can have a grave impact on the normal functioning of the gut. Therefore, make it a point to reduce your stress levels. Walking, meditation, diffusing essential oils, massage, practicing yoga, and limiting alcohol consumption can help you manage your stress levels effectively. Spend more time with friends and family, play with your pet, and laugh more often. These activities can help in managing your stress and anxiety.
Stay hydrated
Drinking water helps maintain bacterial diversity in the gut and moves digested food through the intestine. Lack of water increases the acidity levels in the stomach, causing inflammation and constipation. An adult should drink at least 1 gallon of water daily to keep the gut healthy and hydrated.
Get ample sleep
Insufficient sleep can severely impact gut health, causing major sleep issues. An adult body needs about 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Consult a doctor if you find it difficult to sleep. They may help you with medications.
Find the best gastroenterologists near you in Staten Island, New York
The 2014 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases information states that over 60 million Americans suffer from digestive diseases yearly. Untreated gastroenterology issues shall be detrimental to your health in the long term. Using Zocdoc, you can find the best gastroenterologists to treat your unique case and book appointments from the comfort of your home.
Enter your location (Staten Island, New York), specialty (gastroenterology) or symptom (bloating), and the preferred appointment date to find top-rated gastroenterologists. Each profile displays the doctor's educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interests, specializations, practice history, certifications, and spoken languages. It also enables you to read previous patient ratings and reviews. You may further filter hundreds of gastroenterologists based on your unique case requirement and gender preference.
Zocdoc also makes the insurance submission process hassle-free by letting you filter gastroenterologists who are in-network. Add your insurance carrier's name in the search query to utilize the feature and find the specialist who accepts your insurance. If you want to know your insurance plan, upload an image of your insurance card to your Zocdoc account, and we will find and display information regarding your insurance plan (this facility is not available for vision or dental plans). You can even contact the Zocdoc service team if you need help uploading a photo of your card. You can also check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
Once you select the best gastroenterologist near you, click the book appointment option. Zocdoc shall assist you in instantly booking a virtual or in-person visit for your first session. Some specialists also accept appointments over the weekend or past working hours, based on availability. All bookings with Zocdoc are entirely free, fast, and secure.
Statistics on stomach cancer in New York
As per the data published by the New York State Department of Health, stomach cancer was the most common cancer among New Yorkers. In present times, the diagnosis and mortality rate from stomach cancer has been declining over the past 40 years.
According to the 2022 estimates from the American Cancer Society, New York will likely have around 2040 new cases of stomach cancer in the same year. About 790 stomach cancer fatalities may occur in 2022. In terms of the number of newly reported cases and fatality rates among other cancer cases in the state in 2022, stomach cancer ranked 16th.
The American Cancer Society published a Cancer Statistics Center's 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 reports on New York stomach cancer incidences and mortality rates. Between 2014 and 2018, stomach cancer incidences occurred at an average yearly rate per 100,000 people of about 8.6, while deaths occurred at an equivalent rate of nearly 3.4.
The same analysis also examined the mortality rates of several cancers that affected New Yorkers between 2015 and 2019. For both genders, stomach cancer ranked 11th. Every 100,000 New York women experienced a death rate of close to 2.4, compared to 6.4 for every 100,000 men.
Sources
American College of Gastroenterology
GastroMD
WebMD
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
New York State Department of Health
American Cancer Society
Healthline
IVX Health
IBD News Today
Cleveland Clinic
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