What Does A Gastroenterologist Do?

Gastroenterologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) system, which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver, pancreas, rectum, and anus.

Gastroenterologists use a variety of diagnostic tests and procedures to evaluate and treat patients. While we cannot talk about everything that a gastroenterologist does in this blog, we can discuss some of the most common methods they employ to treat patients.

Prescribe Medication to Treat Stomach Acid Problems

Some of the medications that a gastroenterologist may prescribe include antacids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and H2 blockers. Antacids neutralize stomach acid, while proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers inhibit acid production in the stomach. These medications are part of the treatment for gastrointestinal conditions such as heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, and erosive esophagitis.

Treat Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

There are a few different types of irritable bowel diseases, the most common being Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both of these conditions can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. While there is no cure for either condition, there are treatments available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Gastroenterologists can prescribe medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressors, antibiotics, biologics, and anti-diarrheal medication.

Use an Endoscope To Diagnose Some Gastrointestinal Conditions

Gastroenterologists can use an endoscope, which is a long, flexible tube with a light and camera at one end. The other end is connected to a monitor, which displays the images captured by the camera.

A GI doctor can perform an upper endoscopy to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine for signs of disease or other problems, or perform a colonoscopy to examine the entire large intestine, from the rectum all the way up to where it joins with the small intestine, or just the lower part of the large intestine (the procedure is called a sigmoidoscopy). These procedures can reveal inflammation, bleeding, blockages, ulcers, precancerous growths, and tumors.

Endoscopes are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, such as removing foreign objects from the airway or taking tissue samples for a biopsy.

Perform a Fibroscan

A fibroscan is a painless and non-invasive medical test that uses ultrasound to measure the fatty changes and scarring in the liver. It is used to diagnose and monitor liver diseases such as hepatitis C and cirrhosis. It can provide a clear picture of the health of your liver.

Gastroenterologist in California

The gastroenterologists at Genensis Healthcare Partners can provide for all your gastroenterological needs by using state-of-the-art technologies for diagnostics and treatment.

Dr. Michelle Nguyen is accepting patients and is currently serving the San Jose and Los Gatos area. Dr. Nguyen will make sure you understand your diagnosis thoroughly, help you decide on the right treatment for you, and will be with you every step of the way. We are a patient-centric practice and consistently exceed our patients’ expectations.

Genensis Healthcare Partners has 20 locations across California. If you have any questions about our services, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Nguyen, call (408) 471-9900 or use our convenient online request form. We look forward to serving you.