What does a gastroenterologist treat, what symptoms do adults and children consult a doctor with

If there is discomfort in the stomach and digestive disorders, a person needs to see a general practitioner - a general practitioner or pediatrician, if it is a patient under 16 years old. The doctor will conduct an examination and make a preliminary diagnosis, after which he can refer to a gastroenterologist. And at this stage, patients have many questions, since not everyone knows what such a specialist treats.

What does a gastroenterologist treat?

Gastroenterology is an important branch of medicine devoted to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Representatives of this profession are engaged in the treatment of a huge list of pathologies, and here are just a few of them:

• defects in the gastric mucosa (peptic ulcer, gastritis);
• inflammation of the gallbladder (including calculous cholecystitis);
• violation of the outflow of bile;
• pancreatitis
• hepatitis;
• cirrhosis;
• intestinal inflammation;
• polyps and cysts.

But infectious ailments, accompanied by disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, are not included in the list of diseases that this specialist is treating. In this case, the patient will be referred to an infectious disease specialist or therapist.

It can be difficult for a person to immediately understand in which case to contact a narrow specialist. For this reason, in most clinics, a mandatory examination by a therapist has been introduced in the presence of any complaints, since the family doctor can conduct a general diagnosis, and in some cases prescribe therapy.

Doctor Supervisory Bodies

Gastroenterology includes several subsections, therefore diseases of the liver, stomach, colon and rectum are considered by individual doctors. These organs are included in the “zone of interest” of the gastroenterologist. Depending on the direction of gastroenterology, the following specialists are distinguished:

• hepatologist - a doctor on liver problems, diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts;
• proctologist - it should be consulted for violations affecting the rectum and perianal zone;
• coloproctologist - treats the colon;
• a gastrologist or gastroenterologist is the “main” in diseases of the stomach, esophagus, pancreas and the entire digestive tract;
• gastroenterologist surgeon - treats pathologies of the digestive tract;
• oncologist-gastroenterologist - the focus is gastrointestinal cancer.

Proctology and coloproctology are often combined in one medical field, in which the specialist deals with all problems of the rectum and colon, as well as the anus.

• Hemorrhoids, proctitis and colitis are diseases that are in the focus of attention of the proctoloag (coloproctoloag). A man with a prostate disease can also be referred to this specialist.

Hepatitis, cholecystitis, stones in the gall bladder - these problems are addressed to the hepatologist, but with gastritis and constant heartburn, you must make an appointment with a gastroenterologist, who is sometimes called a gastrologist.

It should be noted that in most clinics, only one specialist deals with all of the listed diseases - a gastroenterologist. Hepatologists and proctologists usually receive in large medical centers or hospitals of regional significance.

What symptoms should be consulted by an adult doctor

Any diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, both in acute and in chronic form, is a reason for examination by a gastroenterologist. If the disease manifests itself for the first time, it is recommended not to ignore the discomfort, and consult a specialist if the following symptoms appear:

• frequent heartburn;
• stomach pain of varying intensity;
• flatulence;
• any violation of the stool;
• sour taste in the mouth;
• blood in the stool;
• nausea with vomiting;
• skin changes (dryness, sudden rashes, pigmentation).

Since diseases of the digestive system adversely affect the condition of the skin and hair, quite often dermatologists recommend examining the gastrointestinal tract with sudden pigmentation, eczema or dryness of the epidermis.

Children's specialist

The main pediatrician is a pediatrician. Any complaints or symptoms should be contacted by this doctor. He will conduct an examination, appoint an examination, make a diagnosis. If the problem falls outside his competence, the child may be referred to another specialist. A pediatric doctor, a gastroenterologist, deals with the same problems, but adjusted for the peculiarities of the baby's body. For example, such a common symptom as an increased level of bilirubin in a child may be the reason for referring a small patient to a gastroenterologist.

Infants are examined by this specialist for suspected lactose deficiency and intestinal dysbiosis.

What diseases of the digestive system are treated by a gastroenterologist surgeon

In gastroenterology, conservative therapy comes first. However, some serious ailments cannot be cured with medicines, for example, gallstone disease (calculous cholecystitis). Pathology is caused by the formation of calculi, which can lead to blockage of the bile ducts, cause inflammation and provoke hepatic colic. In these cases, removal of the gallbladder is indicated, the operation is performed by a gastroenterologist surgeon.

Surgical gastroenterology also deals with the following issues:

• severe complications of peptic ulcer;
• polyps;
• cysts and benign neoplasms;
• granulomatous enteritis;
• hernias of the abdominal wall;
• internal bleeding.

Surgical treatment of gastrointestinal diseases is indicated for cancer of the stomach and intestines, but is carried out under the supervision of an oncologist and gastroenterologist.

How is the medical consultation

As in the case with other specialists, the gastroenterologist begins the reception by collecting a history and talking with the patient. The patient needs to describe the symptoms in detail, paying attention to the factors provoking their exacerbation.

The next step is a physical examination. It consists of palpation of the abdomen, liver and gall bladder. And also the doctor examines the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and the proteins of the patient. After such events, the doctor draws preliminary conclusions and prescribes additional examinations that allow you to get a detailed picture of the state of the digestive tract.

Diagnostic measures

Depending on the nature of the symptoms and complaints, the doctor prescribes a series of examinations:

• gastroscopy - for a visual examination of the esophagus and stomach;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
• computed tomography - to detect tumors, cysts, polyps;
• colonoscopy - for intestinal obstruction, blood in the stool, suspected polyps in the colon;
• urine, feces, blood tests.

However, you do not need to think that all these examinations are included in the list of mandatory for any complaints. Very common in gastroenterology are diseases associated with a violation of the acidity of the gastric juice (gastritis, ulcer) and pathology of the gallbladder. In the first case, gastroscopy (FGDS) is indicated, in the second - ultrasound.

Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases

Initial treatment of gastrointestinal diseases is a conservative treatment. The gastroenterologist makes a diagnosis and selects the optimal regimen for drug therapy. In case of mucosal defects, drugs are prescribed that normalize the acidity of gastric juice, antispasmodics to reduce pain, antacids and enzymes, to facilitate the digestion process. For violations in the gallbladder due to stagnation of bile, a strict diet and choleretic drugs are necessary.

• In general, the treatment of all diseases is aimed at restoring the function of the affected organ. This is achieved by a combination of drug therapy, a strict therapeutic diet and lifestyle changes.

The direction of treatment depends on the exact diagnosis. Surgery is indicated for emergency conditions (hepatic colic on the background of gallstone disease, severe calculous cholecystitis, dangerous bleeding with an ulcer, etc.). Surgical intervention can be used in case of severe progressive diseases in case of failure of conservative therapy.

And also quite often they use herbal medicine, however, the main method of conservative treatment is diet therapy. It is aimed at reducing the load on the digestive tract while improving their performance. The main goals of the diet:

• normalize the synthesis of stomach acid;
• prevent the development of constipation;
• eliminate the phenomena of flatulence;
• improve the outflow of bile;
• restore the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Pevzner diets are used to treat the digestive system. Diets Table No. 1–7 are designed specifically for the treatment of various gastrointestinal pathologies. The choice of medical nutrition depends on the diagnosis and stage of the disease (acute or chronic).

Therapy is selected individually for each patient.

Gastroenterologist's advice

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure, which gastroenterologists do not tire of repeating. The key to the normal functioning of the digestive system is proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. The following recommendations of experts will always help you stay in excellent physical condition.

1. Eat every 3-4 hours in small portions, avoid overeating, but do not go hungry.
2. Drink at least 6 glasses of clean water per day, which will prevent constipation.
3. Do not get involved in fatty foods, alcohol, spicy and sour - all these products worsen the liver.
4. In order for the gall bladder to always remain healthy, prolonged starvation should not be allowed. If bile is not consumed for digesting food, it stagnates, inflammation develops, or calculi form.
5. Chew food thoroughly, consume food in a warm form and do not snack on the go - such food will protect against gastritis and ulcers, and will also prevent exacerbations if these diseases could not be prevented.
6. Do not abuse non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as they negatively affect the work of the digestive tract.

And also doctors recommend avoiding stress, because often exacerbations of gastritis or ulcers occur precisely against the background of psychoemotional stress.

If you still could not avoid the problems, you need to contact a gastroenterologist as soon as possible, because advanced diseases are difficult to treat.