What tests does a gastroenterologist order? Since the science of gastroenterology does not stand still, at present, for the treatment of certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, one should turn to narrow doctors, whose specialization is the individual organs of the digestive tract.

A gastroenterologist is a specialist trained in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all those diseases that are relevant to the gastrointestinal tract.

The primary diagnosis of such diseases is usually made by pediatricians and therapists. Mostly diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can be determined when the patient contacts the clinic due to complaints of certain digestive disorders or pain in the abdomen.

What does a gastroenterologist treat?

Based on the specifics noted above, the answer to this question may sound as follows: "A gastroenterologist treats all those organs that are directly involved in the process of digestion, as well as in the absorption of all those nutrients that enter the body with food."

Today, a gastroenterologist is an extremely demanded profession, which, by the way, is not surprising, given the number of reasons that encourage patients to visit the office of this specialist. In particular, the following can be distinguished:

It is important to note that if the patient avoids the initial consultation of a gastroenterologist for such diseases, and therefore does not treat them, and if the disease, which will determine the appointment of a gastroenterologist with the development of a specific treatment method, is not cured, then this can lead to serious consequences. In particular, among these may be the growth of polyps or even the appearance of oncological formations.

How does a gastroenterologist treat?

One of the many questions that patients ask before visiting this specialist. So, the actions of a doctor of this profile are reduced to establishing the most accurate diagnosis. This involves an examination by a gastroenterologist, as well as a series of medical examinations in combination with the necessary tests. Already based on the comprehensive results of the listed actions, the gastroenterologist prescribes the necessary treatment.
How does a gastroenterologist treat? If you are concerned about this question, then we will answer it: here everything is determined by the specific specifics of the disease, its nature and severity. Direct methods of treatment of a gastroenterologist may include the use of medicines (drug treatment), herbal medicine, the development of a dietary regimen, advice on changes in lifestyle, etc. If necessary, surgery can be applied, after which the required rehabilitation treatment is performed.

Gastroenterologist appointment: when to visit this specialist?

Diseases of the stomach, as well as diseases of the intestinal tract, are extremely common today, because the field of medicine focused on their treatment is in a number of leading positions in its existing areas. It is noteworthy that the help of a gastroenterologist, one might say, is universal for all ages, starting with infants with dysbacteriosis that is often relevant for them and ending with elderly people with functional constipation and other types of diseases and disorders. And this is not counting the intermediate age categories of patients, who also often have reasons, at least for consulting a gastroenterologist.

So, when to contact a gastroenterologist? Here everything depends practically on the individual exposure of patients in each case. In particular, this concerns how some of the symptoms in this area affect their quality of life and general well-being. As a rule, patients visit the gastroenterologist's office already with obvious and pronounced symptoms of specific diseases. In general, any type of difficulty that one has to experience for a long time with their connection and the gastrointestinal tract requires attention. These are discomfort, heaviness and pain in the stomach, a feeling of heaviness and systematic bloating, pain in the intestines and other similar circumstances.

As for the reasons why a consultation with a gastroenterologist is needed, the following types can be distinguished in more detail:

• frequent occurrence of heartburn after eating;
• bitterness in the mouth, belching with an unpleasant aftertaste (which is noted after eating), bad breath;
• nausea, pain in the stomach, heaviness that occurs before meals and disappears after it;
• frequent occurrence of pain in the intestines, hypochondrium or in the stomach;
• frequent violation of the chair;
• diabetes;
• unusual color of fecal discharge, vomiting - this type of reason is the main indication that you need to see a doctor immediately;
• non-infectious skin rashes, peeling of the skin, eczema, deterioration of nails, hair and skin without any adequate reasons.

An examination by a gastroenterologist is also required for those patients who have been using any type of medication for a long time, undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Gastroenterologist: diseases he deals with

In addition to the above, we give a small list of those diseases, the treatment of which falls under the competence of a gastroenterologist:

• hepatitis (A, B, C, E and D);
• dyspancreatism;
• toxoplasmosis;
• gynecological pain (according to the type of disease such as adnexitis, etc.);
• Infectious mononucleosis;
• peptic ulcer, gastritis;
• crystalluria, nephropathy, glomerunephritis, pyelonephritis;
• actual foci of chronic infection, concentrated in the gastrointestinal tract;
• urolithiasis and cholelithiasis.

Based on general information, we highlight the organs that the gastroenterologist deals with:

• esophagus;
• stomach;
• small and large intestine;
• duodenum;
• biliary tract and gallbladder;
• liver;
• pancreas.

Types of diagnostics used by a gastroenterologist to study the patient's condition and subsequently determine the treatment:

• gastroscopy;
• Ultrasound (abdominal);
• DNA diagnostics;
• urography.

Going to the gastroenterologist: what happens when it is constantly postponed?

With improper functioning of the digestive tract in any of its areas, the subsequent incomplete assimilation of the food consumed becomes a less serious problem that appears because of this. So, a significantly worse condition of the body is the incorrect breakdown of nutrients or the partial exclusion of this process, as a result of which, over time, such substances are converted into organic toxins.

As a result of this condition, a long-term self-poisoning of the body occurs, against which various somatic disorders develop. Simultaneously with them, the general well-being of patients worsens, this is reflected in their appearance and working capacity. In such a situation, the level of immunity is also subject to weakening. If a gastroenterologist is required for a child, but the trip to him is postponed for one reason or another, then the actual dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract will begin to negatively affect his growth and development, in addition to other problems associated with it.

Based on the above-mentioned features of gastrointestinal diseases, the advice of a gastroenterologist for patients is to stop writing off certain problems constantly only on the quality of food. Even if it really acts as the cause of poor health, it is necessary to find a good gastroenterologist for advice on the issue of proper nutrition, due to which problems in this area can also be ruled out in the future.

What does a gastroenterologist treat and what diseases does he help get rid of? This question is of interest to people who first came to see this doctor. Gastroenterology, as a branch of medicine, has several subsections. All of them, one way or another, are connected with the structure and functioning of the human gastrointestinal tract. A specialist in this field is subordinate to all digestive organs.

What is gastroenterology?

The treatment of the digestive organs was carried out by individual doctors in ancient times, but gastroenterology as a separate medical discipline was formed recently, at the beginning of the 19th century. The name of the concept consists of three ancient Greek words: "stomach", "intestines" and "teaching". Gastroenterology is a scientific branch of medicine that studies the gastrointestinal tract and the pathological processes that occur in it. Depending on the affected organs, there are separate specialists advising on certain issues:

1. Hepatologist- the same gastroenterologist specializing in diseases of the liver, biliary tract.
2. Proctologist examines the anus and rectum.
3. All sections of the large intestine are under the jurisdiction coloproctologist. Often these two specialties are combined into one.
4. Gastrologist(sometimes called a gastroenterologist for short) deals with stomach problems.

Gastroenterologist - who is it and what does it treat?

A therapist (pediatrician), gynecologist or nutritionist can refer to a doctor of this specialty for advice on a matter in which they are not competent. But the question remains open for patients: who is a gastroenterologist and what does he treat? Today this profession is in demand. According to statistics, the prevalence of digestive diseases is increasing, up to 95% of the world's population needs medical supervision, both children and adults, from young to old. What does a gastroenterologist treat? These are diseases associated with:

• stomach (, peptic ulcer, etc.);
• gallbladder, including;
• spleen (tumors and cysts);
• intestines (dysbacteriosis, invasions, etc.);
• pancreas ().

When to contact a gastroenterologist?

Most digestive problems are diagnosed at an appointment with a therapist in a clinic. But knowing what a gastroenterologist is treating, a general practitioner can refer a patient to him who complains of a malfunction of the digestive tract. Prolonged difficulties, discomfort, pain associated with the processes of digestion is the case when you need to contact a gastroenterologist. Warning symptoms include:

• pain in the stomach and intestines;
• violation of the chair;
• vomit;
• nausea;
• skin rashes;
• frequent heartburn, etc.

Appointment with a gastroenterologist

Gastrointestinal diseases are common among people of all ages, so a gastroenterologist can be both an adult (generalist) and a child - he helps to cope with dysbacteriosis and spasms in infants, digestive pathologies in older children. You do not need to take any tests beforehand, all that is needed, the specialist will find out and issue a referral for the necessary examinations. The doctor approaches each patient individually. A standard appointment with a gastroenterologist consists of:

• oral questioning of the patient (taking an anamnesis);
• inspection;
• subsequent diagnosis.

Gastroenterologist appointment - preparation

As a rule, there is no need to prepare for the initial appointment with a gastroenterologist. But some clinics require you to follow some recommendations: if possible, refrain from eating and drinking, do not clean white plaque from the tongue, as it can be taken by a doctor for analysis. If you plan to conduct a study of the stomach, colon or duodenum, doctors will personally and in advance tell you how to prepare for the examination: whether to go on a diet, take a laxative, or do an enema. Otherwise, the doctor-gastroenterologist accepts clients according to general rules.

How is a gastroenterologist examination performed?

At the first meeting, the doctor listens to the main complaints, finds out the causes of the ailment and tries to find out the provocateurs of the phenomenon. To diagnose pathologies, physical examination methods are used, the main of which is palpation, probing the abdomen in order to find the source of pain. When localization is found, the doctor may prescribe a set of additional studies that will either confirm or refute the diagnosis. Other methods included in the examination by a gastroenterologist: percussion (tapping) and auscultation (use of a stethoscope).

What tests does a gastroenterologist prescribe during an examination?

Diseases that a gastroenterologist diagnoses and treats may require additional research. used to detect various pathologies.

• ultrasound;
• sigmoidoscopy;
• fibrogastroduodenoscopy.

What tests does a gastroenterologist prescribe besides this? The most common, prescribed for both adults and children: urine and feces tests, general and biochemical blood tests. In addition, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay may be required (for the detection of Helicobacter pylori).

Gastroenterologist consultation

A gastroenterologist is a specialist in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, but his consultation may be required even for a healthy person who is at risk of certain ailments. Digestive problems are provoked by poor ecology, the abuse of fast food, long-term use of medications, and the passage of courses of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to visit this doctor every 2-3 years.

A gastroenterologist understands how metabolic processes occur in the body, how the organs of the gastrointestinal tract function, and what actions cause pathologies. If the patient has such diseases, following certain rules will help to avoid exacerbations. The recommendations of a gastroenterologist will tell you about healthy and proper nutrition and the elimination of popular ailments. They are listened to by people who monitor their health and those who are trying to avoid the deterioration of their condition due to gastrointestinal problems.

The main advice of a doctor in this specialty relates to proper nutrition.

To cope with gastritis, a common disease of the young and active, a gastroenterologist will help. Unsuitable lifestyle (rhythm disturbance, food is not running) and malnutrition become provocateurs of gastritis. The doctor recommends completely eliminating bad habits: overeating, alcohol, frequent visits to fast food establishments. If you treat gastritis with medication and at the same time continue to behave incorrectly, the problem will not be solved.

Trouble with the stool disturbs people of all ages. Sometimes constipation occurs due to medical and other problems. These include rare defecation, too little of it, intestinal obstruction. A diet for intestinal disease will help correct the situation, the advice of a gastroenterologist often concerns it.

Many people are interested in the question: what does a gastroenterologist treat? This specialist is useful in the event of many problems of the gastrointestinal tract, he knows not only how to diagnose them, but also quickly cure them. The gastroenterologist gives useful advice regarding the prevention of diseases, the most common of which are constipation and gastritis. With these problems, people of all ages turn to the doctor, and the professional tries to help everyone after the examination and tests.

In the modern world, a gastroenterologist is one of the most sought-after specialized specialists in medicine. Bad ecology, water containing almost the entire periodic table, products with all kinds of chemical additives, often become the causes of the extreme spread of diseases of the stomach, intestines, and other organs of the digestive system. And it is gastroenterology that is the field of medicine that is focused on the treatment of such diseases.

It is presented to visitors to medical institutions by a narrow specialist gastroenterologist, who it is and what it treats, what tests it prescribes - we will just talk about this now. Let's also say for what symptoms it is worth contacting him for advice? All this will be our conversation today. And we will also consider some folk recipes often used in gastroenterology:

Specialist gastroenterologist - who is it?

This is a doctor whose specialization is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - the stomach, esophagus, small and large intestines. In addition to them, this list includes diseases of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

As a rule, with complaints of malaise, pain in the abdomen or indigestion, the patient goes to the clinic to his local therapist, or to the pediatrician if the child is sick.

The therapist conducts a general examination, after which, if necessary, directs the patient to a gastroenterologist. This specialist conducts an appointment in a polyclinic, works in a hospital. There are gastroenterologists in multidisciplinary clinics and scientific and practical centers.

What does a gastroenterologist treat?

Sometimes the full name of the specialization is shortened to a simple one - a gastrologist. This is due to the fact that the doctor treats gastric diseases, in particular, gastritis. However, this is only a small part of the health problems that this specialist deals with. His competence includes pathologies of other digestive organs, as we already mentioned at the beginning of our conversation. So gastroenterology is a very broad branch of medicine.

So what does a gastroenterologist treat? Diseases covered by it include:

Gastritis, colitis, enterocolitis, gastroduodenitis, and peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.

Cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, as well as pancreatitis and cirrhosis of the liver.

Diaphragmatic hernia, cystic fibrosis, diverticulosis and pyloric stenosis.

Dysbacteriosis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Various neoplasms (benign, malignant) of the digestive system.

In addition, this specialization is divided into narrower specialties. Let's list them briefly:

Hepatology. The specialist deals with the treatment of pathologies of the liver, gallbladder and its ducts.

Coloproctology. A narrow specialization that deals with the departments of the large intestine.

Proctology. This direction deals with the problems of the rectum, anus.

Some specialists in the field of gastroenterology deal with strictly defined diseases, such as hypertrophic gastritis only, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Gastroenterology requires excellent knowledge of anatomy. A specialist of this profile must have high knowledge in the field of physiology of the digestive system, be able to understand the symptoms of diseases, know their features, be sure to have diagnostic skills, and understand new methods of treatment.

What tests does a gastroenterologist prescribe?

One of the main professional skills of this specialist is diagnostics, since without an accurate, correctly diagnosed diagnosis, it is impossible to conduct effective treatment.

Diagnosis includes an initial general examination, as well as a set of necessary tests and other medical examinations. After receiving all the results of the diagnostic procedures performed, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes adequate treatment.

During the initial appointment, the doctor will carefully listen to the patient's complaints, ask about the features of nutrition, and find out other information necessary for making the correct diagnosis.

After that, a visual examination of the oral mucosa and examination of the patient with the help of palpation is carried out. Then he will write out a referral for tests, other diagnostic procedures.

The main research methods include:

Blood analysis (general, biochemical), urine, feces, gastric juice.
- Ultrasound of the state of the digestive system.
- Endoscopic examination (gastroscopy, colonoscopy, retroromanoscopy, FGDS).

After receiving the results of the diagnosis, identifying the disease, the doctor draws up a plan for further treatment. In addition, he will issue the necessary recommendations for changing lifestyle and diet, which must be observed during treatment, as well as after it. This is necessary to prevent possible exacerbations of the disease.

Therapy is prescribed individually, taking into account the specific specifics of the disease, age, general condition of the patient. Medical treatment with the use of physiotherapy, herbal medicine can be prescribed. In severe cases, surgical intervention is prescribed, after which subsequent complex restorative therapy is carried out.

When to contact a specialist gastroenterologist?

Patients of all ages can apply to a specialist in this area - from babies, with signs of dysbacteriosis characteristic of them, to the elderly, often suffering from functional constipation, and other chronic diseases of the digestive system.

Patients who develop symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases turn to a gastroenterologist: discomfort, heaviness, soreness of the stomach area, bloating, increased gas formation. People come with complaints of pain in the intestines, various digestive disorders, etc.

Consultation with a specialist is necessary for the following pathological manifestations:

Regular heartburn, bitter or sour belching after eating, bad breath;

The appearance of nausea, vomiting, pain in the stomach, abdomen, right hypochondrium;

Any violation of the chair, an unusual shade of fecal secretions;

signs of diabetes;

Various skin rashes, peeling not associated with infection, eczema, as well as deterioration in the condition of nails and hair, in the absence of adequate causes.

Consultation with this specialist is necessary for all those who have received treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or take medications (of any type) for a long time.

Obviously, gastroenterology is not the easiest and “pleasant” direction in medicine, but it is extremely important and necessary, requiring high professionalism from a doctor. After all, many diseases that a doctor of this profile deals with are painful for the patient, and often deadly for him.

Unfortunately, diseases in the field of gastroenterology are extremely common among the adult population, and are increasingly being diagnosed in children. For example, every second Russian suffers from chronic gastritis. Peptic ulcers and reflux diseases are very common. A lot of people suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, as well as cholecystitis, pancreatitis, and the like.

Folk remedies in gastroenterology

Natural remedies in the treatment of diseases, pathological conditions of the digestive system are used very often. Usually they are used as additional during the period of remission, as well as to reduce the frequency of exacerbations, or for the purpose of prevention.

As an example, consider some popular recipes, the effectiveness of which is not rejected by experts:

Heartburn treatment

An old, effective, fast-acting remedy for this phenomenon is the well-known, familiar drinking soda. This remedy neutralizes the action of gastric acid. It is recommended to dissolve 1 tsp of soda in warm boiled water (a glass), after which, slowly, drink the solution.

An excellent effect is the use of freshly squeezed juice of fresh potatoes. It is recommended to drink half a glass before meals.

Gastritis, peptic ulcer

With the auxiliary treatment of these diseases, beekeeping products - honey and propolis - are especially distinguished. Honey is recommended to be taken on an empty stomach with warm water: 1 tsp. for a tea cup. Propolis tincture is best taken with warm milk or also with warm water.

Many experts in the field of traditional medicine suggest using a recipe that is very good according to reviews: daily, for 3 weeks, take calamus root powder, a quarter of a teaspoon, before meals.

With low acidity, you can use freshly squeezed white cabbage juice. It should be drunk in half a glass, always on an empty stomach, 15-20 minutes before meals (morning, afternoon). Instead of juice, you can just eat one small green apple.

constipation

For this common problem, the first thing to do is to change the diet in favor of vegetable and dairy products, reducing the consumption of “heavy” foods (meat, fish, fried, fatty foods, etc.).

It is very useful to drink a decoction of oats or an infusion of prunes. Cabbage pickle, natural sour milk, curdled milk, as well as tea from dried cherries with the addition of dried apples will help.

A mixture of kefir and vegetable oil has a laxative effect (1 tsp per glass).

For people suffering from chronic constipation, which often occurs in old age, healers recommend drinking an infusion of flax seed: 1 tsp. pour 200 ml. boiling water (it is better to cook in a thermos). After 2 hours, everyone drinks it together with swollen seeds. Better to drink before bed.

Cholecystitis

Break dried bay leaves as small as possible, transfer to a jar, pour sunflower oil (for 30 g of raw materials - a glass of oil). Close tightly, put in a locker for a couple of weeks. Take this remedy for 10-15 caps, three times a day.

Pour 1 tsp of ground dry sage herb with a glass of boiling water, wrap with a towel, let it cool well. Pour into a cup through cheesecloth. Drink a small sip, every 2-3 hours, only 5-6 times a day.

Pancreatitis

With this disease of the pancreas, the use of a medicinal collection will help: combine together 4 tsp of dried immortelle flowers, 3 tsp each. chamomile and St. John's wort. Add 2 more teaspoons of dry wormwood. Mix everything well, put in a saucepan, add a liter of boiling water.

Sweat in a water bath for 15 minutes. Keep covered until cool, strain. Drink half a glass, 4-6 times a day.

Timely diagnosis, successful professional treatment can not only restore the patient's health. It often saves his life. Therefore, in the presence of any uncomfortable or, moreover, painful symptoms, or digestive disorders, contact a gastroenterologist in a timely manner.

Enlisting his recommendations, additionally use traditional medicine recipes approved by the doctor. They will not be able to replace the main treatment, but can serve as an excellent addition to it. Or use them as a preventive measure. Be healthy!

A person who feels discomfort in the abdomen is advised to be examined by a gastroenterologist. It should be noted that if the field of activity of a surgeon or a psychiatrist raises no questions, then the specifics of the work of the latter are of interest to many patients. It is not surprising, because not every person knows what kind of doctor is a gastroenterologist, what does he treat? Meanwhile, this specialist observes and treats diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Field of activity

So, let's figure out what a gastroenterologist does? What heals? It should be noted that the doctor observes all the organs that take part in the digestive process.

Unfortunately, today a gastroenterologist is one of the most sought-after doctors. Because many reasons can bring the patient to the doctor's office. Consider them:

Unfortunately, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are quite common today. Therefore, gastroenterology is one of the most common areas of medicine. At the same time, people of all ages become patients of doctors of this direction. After all, often even babies need the advice of a doctor such as a gastroenterologist. What does the doctor treat in babies? Of course, dysbacteriosis is relevant for infants.

When should you seek help from this specialist? As a rule, the patient's visit depends on many reasons, the main of which is the patient's well-being. While the symptoms are mild, the visit to the gastroenterologist is postponed. And only with obvious signs of illness that affect the general well-being and quality of life, the patient comes to the doctor.

And attention requires any discomfort associated with the gastrointestinal system. This may be heaviness, pain in the stomach or intestines, frequent constipation, bloating, and other similar circumstances.

When you should not postpone a visit to the doctor

If we talk about symptoms, then there are a number of signs, the occurrence of which requires an appeal to a gastroenterologist.

These reasons include:

• frequent occurrence after eating heartburn;
• bitter taste in the mouth;
• unpleasant belching (often occurs after eating);
• smell from the mouth;
• pain, nausea (appears before eating and disappears after it);
• violation of the chair;
• frequent occurrence of pain in the hypochondrium, intestines, stomach;
• diabetes;
• skin rashes of a non-infectious nature, peeling, eczema, causeless deterioration of the condition of hair, nails, skin;
• an unusual shade of fecal discharge, the occurrence of vomiting (this symptomatology requires immediate medical attention).

Do not neglect the advice of a doctor and those people who have been treated with medication for a long time. It is recommended to visit a doctor for patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Diseases treated by a gastroenterologist

The list of ailments that fall under the competence of this doctor is quite extensive. It should be remembered that a gastroenterologist deals with all diseases associated with the digestive system. What does the doctor treat?

We will try to give the most complete list of ailments included in the specifics of this specialist:

• antibiotic-dependent colitis;
• achalasia;
• Whipple's disease;
• botulism;
• Crohn's disease;
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (gastrinoma);
• bloating;
• gastroenteritis;
• hemorrhagic colitis;
• gastroduodenitis;
• glucagonoma;
• (dynamic);
• dysphagia;
• dyspepsia;
• dysphagia lusoria;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• spasm (diffuse) of the esophagus;
• jaundice;
• insulinoma;
• intestinal lymphangiectasia;
• lump in the throat;
• acid reflux;
• sugar intolerance;
• ulcerative colitis (non-specific);
• food poisoning caused by the bacteria Clostridium perfringens and staphylococcus aureus;
• regurgitation;
• membranous esophagitis;
• lazy bowel syndrome (colon);
• liver steatosis;
• nausea, vomiting;
• tropical sprue;
• food poisoning (chemical);
• liver enlargement;
• chronic pancreatitis;
• peptic ulcer;
• celiac disease;
• an excess of vitamin A in the body;
• ailments provoked by salmonella, enterobacteria;
• esophagitis;
• enterobiasis;
• gastritis;
• Barrett's esophagus.

Organs observed by the doctor

As you can see, a gastroenterologist deals with a lot of ailments. What treats (what diseases) this doctor is now clear.

To complete the picture, let's focus on the human organs that the doctor observes:

• stomach;
• liver;
• esophagus;
• the intestines are thick and thin;
• duodenum;
• gallbladder;
• pancreas.

The doctor's consultation

Having analyzed what diseases a gastroenterologist treats, we will consider a modern method of diagnosing.

Doctor's consultation includes:

1. Preliminary survey of the patient, a detailed collection of anamnesis.
2. Examination of the patient with palpation of the abdominal wall.
3. Diagnostics (ultrasound, FGDS).
4. Testing (blood, feces, urine).
5. Selection of effective treatment.
6. Correction of the diet. Selection of an appropriate diet.
7. Constant monitoring and control over the course of treatment.

Diseases of the esophagus

Some of the common ailments with which patients get an appointment with a gastroenterologist are:

1. Hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm. With this disease, the natural valve located between the esophagus and the stomach does not function. The patient experiences pain in the hypochondrium. Often, symptoms are accompanied by an unpleasant odor from the mouth, belching.
2. Dysphagia. Inflammatory and other pathological processes in the pharynx, larynx, oral cavity, esophagus lead to difficulty in swallowing.
3. Esophageal ulcer.

Diseases of the stomach and ailments of the duodenum

The specificity of the doctor includes many pathologies of the above organs. The following diseases are most often diagnosed:

1. Duodenitis. A disease characterized by an inflammatory process in the duodenum.
2. Gastritis. A disease in which the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed. Such a pathology seriously disrupts digestion. And this is reflected even in the general well-being of the patient.
3. Ulcer of the stomach or duodenum.

Quite often, various ailments are accompanied by an unpleasant aftertaste, belching, rumbling in the stomach, and a violation of the stool. It should be understood that all such signs signal a pathological process in the body. Therefore, it is imperative to tell your doctor about them.

Along with serious pathological processes, a gastroenterologist treats constipation and diarrhea. Therefore, it will make it much easier and faster to get rid of unpleasant symptoms. Postponing the problem until later is fraught with serious consequences.

Ignoring frequent constipation causes very serious complications. In most cases, these patients are diagnosed with hemorrhoids. The fight against ailments with such consequences is much more complicated. Because now it is not enough to get rid of problems with the stool. In this situation, the gastroenterologist treats hemorrhoids, as well as the main problem, which has been ignored for a long time. That is why you should not postpone a visit to the doctor, even if it is inconvenient to voice “ugly” symptoms to the doctor.

Liver disease

The value of this organ for a person is enormous. The liver performs over 500 different functions in the body. And, unfortunately, so far it has not been possible to reproduce its activity artificially.

Therefore, any pathology is a serious reason to see a doctor. You can start visiting the clinic with a therapist. However, you should know that it is the gastroenterologist who treats the liver.

The most common are:

1. Different types of hepatitis. This is inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be chronic or acute. As a rule, these ailments are characterized by a viral nature. Today, six varieties are distinguished - hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, G. The disease becomes chronic if inflammation of the liver continues for six months.
2. Cirrhosis of the liver.

Diseases of the gallbladder and ducts

This organ plays an important role in the digestive process. The bubble maintains and regulates the pressure of bile in the ducts, promotes the digestion and absorption of fats, takes part in the absorption of vitamins by the body. Its role in the suppression of putrefactive microflora in the intestinal cavity is invaluable.

Timely access to a gastroenterologist for various pathologies of the gallbladder and ducts allows successful treatment in a conservative way. This makes it possible to avoid surgical intervention.

What diseases does a gastroenterologist treat? Often the following ailments lead to the doctor:

• Dyskinesia of the biliary tract.
• Cholecystitis.
• Cholelithiasis.
• Cholangitis.
• Pancreatitis.
• Polyps of the gallbladder.

Skin rashes

The inflammatory process that occurs in the sebaceous gland and hair follicle is a common pathology. At the same time, not every patient who encounters this problem knows that it is often the gastroenterologist who treats acne.

After all, ailments of the digestive system lead to incomplete digestion of food and its stagnation. As a result, toxins accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract in large quantities. They enter the blood. It is known that the skin performs an excretory function in the body. Therefore, the accumulated toxins, leaving through its cover, provoke the appearance of acne.

Rashes can be a symptom of the following ailments and conditions:

• dysbacteriosis;
• constipation;
• irritable bowel syndrome;
• stones in the biliary tract;
• gastritis (acute, chronic).

Giardiasis

An unpleasant disease caused by protozoa. The infection provokes an inflammatory process in the entire intestine. It is most pronounced in the small intestine and duodenum. Much less often, changes affect the large intestine or the appendix.

The degree of inflammation in the disease can vary. Sometimes edematous forms are observed. And sometimes inflammatory changes in the intestinal walls become hemorrhagic in nature. In this case, erosion and ulcers are often diagnosed.

It is very important to identify the disease in time and not to forget that the gastroenterologist treats giardiasis. The following symptoms allow you to suspect the disease:

• pain in the right hypochondrium;
• bitter eructation;
• feeling of pain during palpation of the gallbladder;
• bitterness in the mouth.

However, do not forget that all the above signs can signal another disease. In this case, self-diagnosis and self-treatment is quite unsafe.

With a long course of the disease, the above symptoms may accompany the following symptoms:

• dirty skin tone;
• the appearance of dark "circles" under the eyes;
• increased skin rashes;
• coated tongue;
• bad breath.

Clinical manifestations of the disease can be neurotic, allergic-dermatic. In connection with such a variety of symptoms, the diagnosis is confirmed by a gastroenterologist only after a laboratory examination.

Conclusion

Understanding who a gastroenterologist is, what he treats, any person, in case of occurrence, will be able to assess the danger of the situation in time and contact this specialist. Do not forget that there are ailments in which every minute is precious. And in some cases, ignoring the symptoms can contribute to the transition of the disease into a chronic form.

Remember, many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are perfectly cured, leaving no consequences. The main thing is to carry out the necessary therapy prescribed by the doctor in time.

A gastroenterologist - who is he, and what does this specialist treat, in what cases should he be contacted? Gastroenterology is a very large area of ​​medicine, the main task of which is to study the physiological processes that occur in the human digestive tract. At the same time, she not only studies normal and pathological physiology, but also diagnoses diseases and offers treatment methods.

1 What does a specialist in this field do?

Gastroenterologist - what does this specialist treat, what does he do and in what cases do they turn to him? Unlike the therapist, who seems to be a generalist, the specialization of a gastroenterologist is very narrow, he is engaged in the identification and treatment of diseases of the digestive system, develops methods that are aimed at preventing these pathological phenomena.

But since the patient does not always understand which doctor he needs, he turns to a therapist or pediatrician, who, after an initial examination, direct him to the right specialist. Today, gastroenterologists are in high demand. And this is not accidental, because among all patients who go to medical institutions for help, 1/3 complains of problems associated with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Often problems are associated with dysfunction of the organs of the digestive tube, the functioning of the glands in the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted.

In what cases it is necessary to contact such specialists? You can list a large number of diseases, with the appearance and development of which there is a need to contact a gastroenterologist. Some of these diseases will be listed below. But acquaintance with an exhaustive list is the lot of specialists. For people who are not related to the medical field, you need to remember the following recommendation. Such doctors should be contacted if there is discomfort or pain in the abdominal cavity.

Even the presence of discomfort is a reason for contacting a gastroenterologist. This is due to the fact that the disease has different stages - from the initial to the most complex, in which surgical intervention is required. It is better to resist pathology at the very beginning of its development. But it is at this stage that there may be no pain symptoms. The patient will not even experience discomfort, and his appearance means that the pathology begins to progress, and you need to consult a doctor for help.

2 The reason for the demand for a gastroenterologist

Gastroenterologists are becoming more and more in demand. The increase in the number of diseases that are part of their professional sphere is not accidental, and it is associated with a deterioration in the quality of the products used. Fast foods and semi-finished products have become popular, the amount of fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet of the population has sharply decreased. The situation is aggravated by poor ecology and growing cities. For office workers, one of the reasons that provoke is dry food.

A simple test is enough. Look at the menu for the week and determine what percentage of it is fresh vegetables and fruits. They should be at least 60%, it is better if they make up 2/3 of all consumed products. If their percentage is lower, then this approach to nutrition stimulates the appearance and development of gastrointestinal diseases. And in this case, with a high probability it can be assumed that soon the help of a gastroenterologist will be needed.

3 Narrow specialization

But doctors in this specialty are not necessarily universal specialists, and some of them have a narrower specialization. For example, there is a pediatric gastroenterologist who treats small (and not very small) patients who have not reached the age of majority. Children have their own specifics associated with growth, age and hormonal changes. Such patients often suffer from such pathologies:

• gallbladder dysfunction;
• gastritis;
• ulcerative defects that appear on the walls of the stomach and duodenum;
• congenital anomalies.

If an adult, coming to the doctor, shows a medical card, according to which you can view the history of a particular disease, then the child has only to find out the pathology. An adult has a sufficient speech reserve, which allows you to accurately describe the sensations, as a result, the doctor will prescribe the necessary tests and make a diagnosis with high accuracy.

It is very difficult to ask a baby who is 2-3 years old and who cannot decide whether his stomach hurts or just twists. The child cannot even show exactly where it hurts, does not always agree to an examination, is naughty. And in these conditions, the experience of a doctor who has to examine dozens of such children in 1 day is needed. But he knows that, in addition to gastritis and ulcerative defects, a child may have the following congenital anomalies:

• esophageal atresia;
• congenital;
• megacolon;
• anus atresia, etc.

In addition to a pediatrician, there is also a surgeon-gastroenterologist. The name itself indicates that this specialist comes into action in cases where surgical intervention is required. If one doctor has established an umbilical hernia, then it is not at all necessary that he will remove it. This procedure will not be done by a simple surgeon, but who specializes in surgery of the digestive system. Such a specialist should be able to:

• remove the gallbladder;
• stop bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract;
• carry out resection of the walls of the digestive tube, etc.

4 Other directions in treatment

The digestive system consists of internal organs, each of which can suffer from different pathologies. Therefore, doctors can specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of not all organs of the system, but only on any part of it. As a result, there are such specialists as:

• hepatologist;
• proctologist;
• coloproctologist.

What does a hepatologist treat? He is engaged in diagnosing and treating diseases of the liver and gallbladder. His field of activity also includes pathological processes that occur with the biliary tract.

The scope of activity of the proctologist includes the treatment of pathologies that are associated with the rectum. These diseases include:

• rectal prolapse;
• haemorrhoids;
• cancerous tumors;
• cyst;
• anal fissure;
• paraproctitis, etc.

Previously, this was done by a coloproctologist, whose scope included not only what the proctologist treats, but also diseases of the large intestine. The narrower the list of diseases diagnosed and treated by a particular doctor, the more professional he becomes, and the more effective he is in identifying and helping to get rid of very complex and poorly diagnosed diseases.

The problem is that the same symptoms can be caused by not one, but several pathologies. A medical error can complicate the treatment process, cause the development of the disease and its transition to the chronic stage, and in some cases, for example, in oncological diseases, lost time causes the death of the patient.

A gastroenterologist as a specialist needs to constantly improve their own professional skills. To prevent possible mistakes that physicians make, gastroenterology as a science sets itself the goal of conducting some research that is valuable both for the science itself and for practitioners. Among them are the following studies:

• violations of internal organs and systems that do not belong to the digestive tract, but are manifested in violations that occur in it;
• improved diagnostic methods;
• how does the dysfunction in diseases of the mechanisms that are responsible for regulating the activity of the digestive organs go;
• modern methods of prevention and treatment;
• diseases of different parts of the digestive tract - from the perianal region to the esophagus, etc.

5 How is the reception?

An appointment with a gastroenterologist differs little from that of other medical specialists. He is obliged:

• question the patient
• inspect:
• get acquainted with the medical history;
• order the necessary tests.

Based on the data obtained, which give a survey, examination, study of the medical history, and test results, a diagnosis is made. The algorithm of work is standard, but in certain cases it may change. For example, when the diagnosis is made as a result of examination and questioning, studying the medical history. If the prescribed treatment does not help, the symptoms do not stop, intensified or new symptoms appear, then a full examination is prescribed, which can take place in a hospital. In such cases, hospitalization is required.

This is due to the fact that patients do not always strictly comply with all the prescriptions of the attending physician, do not exclude forbidden foods from their diet, and treat medication in bad faith. The doctor also takes into account this probability, therefore, in the event of progression of the disease, he tries to take the patient under the control of junior medical personnel.

But it is not at all necessary that with complaints of unpleasant or painful sensations you will have to go to a gastroenterologist. If the problem is not serious, then the district doctor or pediatrician can make a diagnosis. And only if the prescribed treatment does not help, the patient will be referred to the right specialist.

Please note that depending on the diagnosis, the gastroenterologist himself may refer the patient to another specialist who has a narrow specialization suitable for such a case. It can be:

• hepatologist;
• surgeon;
• oncologist;
• coloproctologist.

If you do not know where to go, make an appointment with a regular therapist, and if necessary, he will redirect you to the right office of a medical institution.

But in some cases, the patient is subject to hospitalization without fail.

This is necessary in order to immediately take under the control of physicians diseases, especially dangerous for the life and health of people, including those that can be transmitted to other people, namely:

• hepatitis, which has become chronic and has a viral nature;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease, characterized by a complex course;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• ulcerative colitis.

Persons who have an appointment and who during the year required surgical intervention associated with such diseases can also be hospitalized:

• pancreatitis in acute and chronic form;
• ulcerative colitis;
• peptic ulcers, etc.

The doctor not only prescribes and monitors treatment, corrects if necessary, but can also select and issue referrals for sanatorium treatment, as well as establish temporary disability of persons. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract lead to the fact that the patient cannot continue working.

In some cases, the doctor may come to the conclusion that his patient cannot continue to work at the same place and requires other working conditions. In this case, he issues a conclusion, the recommendations of which are binding on the employer, and he is forced to look for another position for such an employee that would correspond to the medical conclusion.

Employers do not always take such steps, give employees an ultimatum - either continue working in their previous position, or quit. Faced with a similar attitude of the employer, such persons again turn to the doctor for help. But the sphere of activity of a gastroenterologist does not apply to relations between an employee and an employer. It ends when a medical certificate or certificate is issued. Further, labor legislation comes into force, and if it is violated by the employer, in such cases the help of a lawyer is required, but not a doctor.