If you need to see a gastroenterologist, you might not know what to expect if you’ve never seen one before. Gastroenterologists specialize in the digestive system, including the liver, colon, bile ducts, gallbladder, pancreas, rectum, small intestine, stomach, and esophagus, and are experts in their function and diseases. If you’ve been referred to a gastroenterologist,
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How to Find the Best Gastroenterologist for Your Needs
A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in treating the functions, diseases, and conditions of the human digestive system. That includes the long series of tubular structures starting at the mouth and going all the way to the anus, plus ancillary organs which play key supporting roles including the liver and pancreas. If you have
Read MoreBenefits of Endoscopy and Colonoscopy
Endoscopy is the use of an endoscope to view the inside of a person’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract. An endoscope, a slender, flexible tube attached to a camera and a light, gets inserted into your digestive tract, giving your doctor a live view of your digestive tract displayed on a TV monitor screen to help evaluate
Read MoreTips for Recovering from an Enteroscopic Procedure
An enteroscopy is a type of endoscopic procedure your GI doctor may recommend if you’re experiencing unexplained anemia, persistent abdominal pain, dizziness and/or weakness, bloody stools, and other signs indicative of intestinal bleeding or other problems in your upper or lower GI tract. Enteroscopy is an invasive procedure: your care team will do all necessary
Read MoreHow a pill camera can help you with your health
The location of the small intestine can make it difficult to examine by way of a traditional endoscopy or colonoscopy. Should your doctor need to examine your small intestine, they may recommend a capsule endoscopy. Capsule endoscopy is a procedure that is used to examine the esophagus and the small intestine. The capsule is a
Read MoreIs Crohn’s Disease Preventable?
Impacting more than a million Americans from adolescence on up, Crohn’s disease is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the entire digestive tract. Although it’s not yet curable, Crohn’s is manageable. Because medical scientists have yet to determine whether Crohn’s disease is inherited or is initiated by a virus or bacterium, it cannot yet be prevented.
Read MoreIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive condition that causes symptoms that range from mild abdominal discomfort to excruciating pain. Someone who suffers from IBS has certain things that can trigger its symptoms, which are caused by various issues affecting the intestines (bowels). Note that IBS is different than inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can
Read MoreThings to Know About Fecal Occult Blood Tests
While a colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon cancer detection, the procedure has earned some level of notoriety due to its invasive nature and the extensive preparation it entails. Thus, people are searching for noninvasive and convenient alternatives, among which is the fecal occult blood test (FOBT). Here’s the information you need to get
Read MoreUnderstanding Your FibroScan Test Results
To assess the health of your liver, your doctor may recommend a FibroScan test, which is an ultrasound of the liver. A FibroScan is usually ordered for patients with medical conditions that can affect liver health, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The test can also be used to monitor
Read MoreColonoscopy Alternative Tests That Are Effective
Colonoscopy is a procedure that involves introducing a thin, flexible, lighted instrument into the rectum to examine the large intestine (colon) for abnormalities. It is the gold standard for the detection of the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States—colon cancer. Nonetheless, even with the life-saving benefits of a colonoscopy, many people
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