A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in the treatment of digestive disorders. Patients who have problems with their gallbladder, stomach, intestines, or pancreas frequently seek medical treatment from a gastroenterologist. People who want to work in this field must go to medical school for four years and then complete a three-year internal medicine residency. They must then complete a two- to four-year fellowship in this field with honors.
A fellowship in this field is an intensive program in which a future gastroenterologist learns from experienced doctors who specialize in digestive problems. The future specialist learns how to diagnose digestive diseases, treat a variety of medical problems, and teach patients how to prevent digestive diseases under the supervision of experienced gastroenterologists.
The future gastroenterologist becomes board eligible after completing a fellowship. This indicates that the physician is eligible to sit for a gastroenterology board certification exam. The American Board of Internal Medicine administers the test. The physician becomes a board certified gastroenterologist after passing the exam.
Gastroenterologists must have a thorough understanding of how the body digests food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gallbladder disease, ulcers, cancer, colitis, colon polyps, heartburn, and other conditions involving the digestive system necessitate their use.
Patients who visit a gastroenterologist may be subjected to tests that examine the organs of the digestive tract. Endoscopy and colonoscopy are two commonly used tests. An endoscopy is a procedure that involves inserting a long, flexible tube into the body. The tube is equipped with a small video camera and a light. After that, the gastroenterologist inserts the tube into the upper digestive system to perform a thorough examination.
A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor examines the inside of the large intestine. It’s a test that’s commonly used to find out if you have colorectal cancer. A colonoscope is a long, flexible tube with a video camera and light attached to it that the doctor uses. The gastroenterologist can examine the colon and rectum with this device. The doctor can use the instrument to check for cancer, polyps, and inflammation.
Newer procedures like a capsule endoscopy or CT colonography are also used this type of doctor. A capsule endoscopy involves the patient swallowing a small camera that takes pictures of the GI tract. A CT colonography allows the doctor to examine radiological images of the patient’s colon to check for polyps or cancer.