General Surgery & Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology is a medical specialty that involves studying physiology, functioning and diseases affecting the GI (gastrointestinal tract) or the digestive system. Your mouth, salivary glands, tongue, epiglottis, pharynx (throat), esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, rectum and anus are part of your GI system.

A gastroenterologist is an expert who specializes in evaluation, diagnosis, management and treatment of diseases impairing the organs mentioned above.

To know more, you can consult a gastroenterology doctor near you or visit a gastroenterology hospital near you.

What are the areas of specialization in gastroenterology?

Many gastroenterologists focus on diagnosing and treating diseases affecting the GI tract. But some choose a specific area belonging to this vast field.

A few possible areas are:

Gastrointestinal cancer
Transplantation
Endoscopic surveillance
Pancreatic disorders
Hepatology (diagnosis and treating conditions of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and biliary tree)

What are the various types of gastroenterological diseases?

A broad spectrum of conditions comes under the umbrella of gastroenterology. Some of which are:

Gallstones
Hemorrhoids
Constipation
Cysts
Peptic ulcer disease
Colitis
Biliary tract disease
Hiatal hernia
Colon and rectum infections
Pancreatitis
Radiation bowel injury
Reflux esophagitis (or GERD)
Barrett's esophagus
Primary neoplasms of the small bowel, stomach, colon, and rectum
Achalasia
Primary and metastatic liver tumors
Inflammatory bowel disease and continent reconstruction
Gastrointestinal tumors
Malignant and benign conditions of the biliary tract or pancreas

A gastroenterologist in Jaipur is the right person to clarify all doubts about these conditions.

What are the symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases?

Symptoms of digestive conditions vary for every person and each disease. However, there are few symptoms, which are common to most GI diseases.

These symptoms include:

Vomiting
Nausea
Fatigue
Stomach upset
Abdominal discomfort such as pain, cramps, bloating
Loss of appetite
Bleeding in the digestive tract
Persistent indigestion
Unintentional weight loss
Diarrhea
Constipation (sometimes both constipation and diarrhea)
Acid reflux (heartburn)
Fecal incontinence
Ulcers
Difficulty in swallowing

Additionally, if you are above 50 years, you must consult a GI specialist for preventive screening. Consult a gastroenterologist near you if you notice any of these symptoms.

What are the causes of gastrointestinal diseases?

Common causes of GI disorders can be:

A low-fiber diet
Stress and anxiety
Aging
Insufficient water consumption
Excess intake of dairy foods
Inactive lifestyle
Celiac disease
Genetic factors

When do you need to see a doctor?

Never ignore signs like stomach cramps, swollen belly, pain near the belly button, as these can be symptoms of an underlying GI condition.

Your primary physician or family doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist if:

Your abdominal pain worsens after a meal
Have unexplained blood in your vomit or stool
Have difficulty swallowing

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Call 1860-500-2244 to book an appointment.

How are gastrointestinal diseases treated?

Depending on the test reports, age of the patient and the severity of the symptoms, specialists at a gastroenterology hospital in Jaipur choose the treatment methodology. It may start with medications, increasing fluid intake, following a proper diet, and resting.

If your condition does not improve, the surgeon may perform open or minimally invasive surgery. Some of which are:

Nephrectomy
Liver biopsies
Appendectomy
Splenectomy
Capsule endoscopy
Colon and rectal surgery
Double balloon enterostomy
Foregut surgery
Cholecystectomy
Pancreatic surgery
Hiatal hernia surgery
Retroperitoneum surgery
Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure)
Nissen fundoplication
Adrenalectomy
Bariatric surgery
Colonoscopy
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Today, with the possibility of a laparoscopic or minimally invasive approach, patients can avail multiple benefits like minimal scarring, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and more.
Visit an experienced gastroenterology doctor in Jaipur right away to receive the best treatment.

Conclusion

A range of diseases and conditions can obstruct the functioning of the GI tract and affect your overall health. Some diseases do not show any symptoms, whereas others can display alarming symptoms.

Meet the best gastroenterologist in Jaipur for regular screening and testing to prevent GI diseases.

How are gastrointestinal disorders diagnosed?

Once the doctor has analyzed your symptoms, there are diagnostic tests, which you may undergo for confirmation. They are:

Clinical examination
Stool analysis
Blood tests like:
- Liver function test
- Blood count
- Pancreatic enzyme test
- Lactose intolerance test

Endoscopy
Renal function test
Imaging tests such as:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan
- CT (computed tomography) angiography
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Radionuclide scanning

Manometry
Breath test
Transient elastography

What is capsule endoscopy?

In this case, there is a small camera inside a capsule. This capsule takes several images of the intestines and transmits them to a receiver outside. It helps diagnose conditions of the small intestine and gives access to areas, which are difficult to reach using conventional endoscopy.

Which are the inherited GI disorders?

Genes are an unavoidable factor that can predispose you to many immune and autoimmune GI diseases. However, there are other lifestyle and environmental factors, too. A few examples of genetic GI conditions can be celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and some liver disorders.