What Is a Gastrology?

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, which include the organs from mouth into anus, along the alimentary canal, are the focus of this speciality. Physicians practicing in this field are called gastroenterologists.

Why would you need to see a gastroenterologist?

You should see a gastroenterologist if you have any symptoms of a digestive health disorder or if you need a colon cancer screening. Often, seeing a gastroenterologist leads to more accurate detection of polyps and cancer, fewer complications from procedures and less time spent in the hospital.

What tests does a gastroenterologist do?

One of the major procedures performed by the gastroenterologist is endoscopy. It involves the use of narrow flexible tubes with a built-in video camera that can be inserted into the intestinal tract. This helps the doctor visualise the inside of the tract and effectively diagnose intestinal disorders.