What is Gastroenterology & GI surgery?

Approximately 11 percent of the US population is diagnosed with chronic digestive diseases. Bleeding, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, consistent pain in the belly, incontinence, vomiting & nausea are some of the general signs of a diseased digestive system which indicates a need to consult a gastroenterologist. 

Who is a Gastroenterologist?

A gastroenterologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The digestive tract includes the esophagus, stomach, large intestine (colon), small intestine, biliary system which involves gallbladder, liver, pancreas, bile ducts. 

Gastroenterologists are well-versed with how food is passed through the digestive tract which is called motility, the physical and chemical breakdown of food which is known as digestion, absorption of essential vitamins & minerals and the removal of waste products. They also have extensive training in how the liver functions. Several highly-qualified, best Gastroenterologists in India are expert in treating various GI infections as they have achieved proper qualifications followed by a 2- or 3-year gastroenterology fellowship program. 

What conditions do Gastroenterologists treat?

Gastroenterologists have extensive training in evaluating, diagnosing, managing and treating the following symptoms and health conditions:

• Abdominal pain

• Cancer or tumor, such as colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, liver or pancreatic cancer

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Bleeding in the digestive tract

• Difficulty swallowing

• Heartburn

• Unexplained sudden weight loss

• Gastritis

• Hepatitis, jaundice or any other liver disease

• Ulcers

• Hiatal hernias

• Hemorrhoids

• Inflammatory digestive tract

What is Gastrointestinal surgery?

Gastrointestinal surgery is a surgical treatment for diseases in the digestive tract. The surgery removes the tumor (benign or malignant) or damaged part of the tract, such as the intestine. It also repairs other medical problems like a hernia. 

Which disorder of the gastrointestinal system must be treated with surgery?

Following gastrointestinal disorders may be cured by a surgical treatment:

• Appendicitis: When the appendix becomes inflamed and pus-filled, then the surgeon performs appendectomy to remove the appendix. 

• Diverticular Disease: A chronic condition in which a small pouch or pocket develops in the colon, causing persistent pain. This condition is also termed as diverticulosis. Initially, the medical team prefers to cure it without surgery. However, if it becomes severe or inflamed, then the surgeons have to perform bowel resection surgery to remove the swollen part of the intestine. 

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernias: GERD is a symptom of hiatal hernia. GERD is a condition in which the acid of the stomach pushes back into the esophagus (food pipe). In such cases, the doctors have to perform fundoplication to fix the hernia and wrap the top of the stomach around the bottom of the esophagus to keep the acid out. 

• Colon cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers: When the tumor becomes malignant, then the surgeon has to go for surgical treatment to remove cancerous tumors. 

• Gallbladder disease: There are various gallbladder disease that affects the gallbladder such as gallstones, cholecystitis, cholestasis or gallbladder cancer. In such cases, the surgeon opts for cholecystectomy to remove the damaged gallbladder. 

• Hernia: The bulging of an organ, such as the intestine. Sometimes, it may be harmless, but can be painful at times. Gastroenterologists can cure this condition through surgery. 

• Rectal Prolapse: A severe condition in which part of the intestine comes through the anus. Gastrointestinal surgeons treat such health conditions by performing surgery.

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): It is a term to describe disorders related to the inflamed digestive tract, such as Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis. In IBD, the immune system attacks the intestine and causes inflammation & pain. It leads to the damaged organ. Therefore, the surgeon has to remove the damaged parts and connect the healthy ones. This surgical treatment is called bowel resection.

• Weight loss: Although there are many reasons behind weight loss, if it happens due to the inflamed digestive tract such as bowel disease, gastroenteritis, then different types of surgeries are carried out. To treat obesity, different types of bariatric surgery are performed by a surgeon who specializes in bariatric surgery. 

Endoscopy is a procedure that can be used in both ways - diagnosis and treatment in which a camera is attached to a long, thin tube and inserted into the body. It helps in diagnosing and treating hidden GI bleeding. It is also helpful during surgery to locate and remove sores in the GI tract. 

Outlook:
It is advisable to consult medical help as soon as you experience the real sign or symptom. It is preferable to get treated by a well-experienced gastroenterologist.