Gastroenterology is the field of medicine concerning the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the digestive tract as well as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and bile ducts. You will most likely be referred to a gastroenterologist if your primary care physician has noticed a problem with your digestive tract.

A gastroenterologist performs endoscopic procedures, which involve viewing the digestive tract and making a diagnosis using specialized instruments. Although some cases require close collaboration with GI surgeons, they do not perform surgery. Typically, gastroenterologists, work in clinics or hospitals. Colonoscopies, which examine the interior of your colon, are also routine procedures performed by gastroenterologists. After medical school, they receive specialized training for five to six years.

Gastroenterologists receive unique training that prepares them to provide high-quality, comprehensive care for a wide range of digestive disorders. In the gastrointestinal endoscopy field, gastroenterologists perform the bulk of the research, interpret the results, and are considered experts. Compared to other physicians, gastroenterologists perform more thorough colonoscopy examinations and provide more comprehensive consultations.

By using gastroenterologists to perform colonoscopies, polyps and cancer are detected more accurately, procedures are less prone to complications, and hospital stays for many gastrointestinal conditions are reduced. In contrast to other doctors providing similar services, gastroenterologists are able to provide their patients with a more complete, accurate, and thorough treatment program.

Gastroenterologists are trained to understand how food moves through the stomach, liver, and intestines in addition to how nutrients are absorbed and waste material is eliminated. As a result of this expertise, they are able to diagnose and treat digestive system issues of all kinds.

Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat various conditions ranging from common to more unique. Some conditions treated include colon polyps, hepatitis, gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn), colitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Gastroenterologists also treat things like nutritional issues, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gallbladder and biliary tract diseases, and pancreatitis. The GI system includes the mouth however, gastroenterologists typically do not provide treatment in this area. Rather dentists and other dental specialists treat the issues affecting the health of the oral cavity.

The procedure conducted by a gastroenterologist will vary on a case-by-case basis and will be dependent on the nature of each patient’s specific condition. Gastroenterologists perform various nonsurgical procedures. An upper endoscopy aids in the diagnosis of conditions affecting the stomach, food pipe, and small intestine. Colonoscopies are performed in order to check for colon polyps or colon cancer.

Endoscopic ultrasounds examine various internal organs including the upper and lower GI tract. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography can identify tumors as well as stones in the bile duct region. A liver biopsy can assess fibrosis and inflammation in the liver. Sigmoidoscopy evaluates pain or blood loss in the lower large bowel. Capsule endoscopy examines the feeding small intestine.

While gastrologists and gastroenterologists work on similar parts of the body, a gastrologist concerns themselves almost exclusively with conditions affecting the stomach. The field of work of gastrologists and gastroenterologists are closely related and when the situation requires it they will work collaboratively to treat patients.

Gastroenterologists are capable of treating diseases of the stomach in addition to the rest of the digestive system. Patients may consult either concerning conditions affecting the stomach. For patients in Merced, CA, Dr. Alfred Johnson, M.D. is an experienced gastrointestinal surgeon. Dr. Alfred Johnson specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the digestive tract as well as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and bile ducts. Contact us today through the pages of our website to book your next appointment and to get your health back on track. For more information, call us or schedule an appointment. We are conveniently located at 240 East 13th Street Merced, CA 95341. We serve patients from Merced CA, Atwater CA, Winton CA, Bear Creek CA, Planada CA, Le Grand CA, and Athlone CA.