Who is a Gastroenterology Doctor? What Does a Gastroenterologist Do?

Digestive complaints can quickly reduce the quality of daily life: symptoms such as heartburn, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation-diarrhea cycle or unexplained weight loss lead many to ask “Which doctor should I see?”. At this point, gastroenterology doctor (also known as gastroenterology specialist) comes into play. Gastroenterology evaluates, diagnoses and plans the treatment of diseases of the digestive system organs such as the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, biliary tract and pancreas.

In this article, “**Who is a gastroenterology doctor? What does a gastroenterologist do?” we will answer your questions comprehensively. We will also address practical issues such as when to go to gastroenterology, how to have a gastroenterology examination, in which cases procedures such as endoscopy-colonoscopy come up, and what to pay attention to during the gastroenterology appointment process. If you are specifically looking for Istanbul gastroenterology doctor, you will also find tips for the right choice in the relevant section of the article.

What Does Gastroenterology Look For? (Digestive System and Related Organs)

A gastroenterologist deals with the entire digestive system as a whole. This is not just limited to the “stomach”; it covers a wide range of areas, from the mouth-swallowing process, where digestion begins, to the absorption function of the intestines and the metabolic functions of the liver. In short, a gastroenterologist deals with the following organs and systems:

• Esophagus (esophagus): Conditions such as reflux, difficulty swallowing, esophagitis
• Stomach: Gastritis, ulcer, stomach pain, indigestion, nausea and vomiting
• Small intestine: Celiac disease, malabsorption, causes of chronic diarrhea
• Large intestine (colon) and rectum: Constipation, polyps, diverticulum disease, inflammatory bowel diseases
• Liver: Fatty liver, hepatitis, suspicion of cirrhosis, elevated liver enzymes
• Gallbladder and biliary tract: Gallstones, bile duct obstructions (in some cases evaluated together with surgery)
• Pancreas: Pancreatitis, pancreatic enzyme disorders, some mass suspicions

Many people initially consult an internal medicine or family physician; however, when the complaints are prolonged, recurrent or accompanied by alarming findings, referral to the gastroenterology outpatient clinic accelerates the diagnosis and treatment process. (For similar content: you can also take a look at our articles Reflux symptoms and treatment and Causes of abdominal pain

Which Diseases Does a Gastroenterologist Treat?

Gastroenterology doctors follow both common digestive problems and more complex, long-term (chronic) diseases. The important point here is this: The same symptom (e.g. abdominal pain) can be a sign of many different diseases. The gastroenterologist tries to distinguish the correct cause with history + examination + necessary tests.

Upper digestive tract complaints

• Reflux (GERD): Stomach acid escaping into the esophagus; It can be seen with symptoms such as heartburn, bitter water in the mouth, night cough. the most common answer to the question “**Which doctor to see for heartburn?” is gastroenterology.
• Gastritis and ulcers: Stomach pain, indigestion, nausea; sometimes associated with infections such as Helicobacter pylori.
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia): “Sticking sensation” or painful swallowing is a symptom that must be evaluated.

Intestinal diseases

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Attacks of bloating, abdominal pain, constipation/diarrhea; usually without any structural disease.
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis may present with diarrhea, blood in the stool, weight loss, anemia.
• Celiac disease: Gluten-related malabsorption may cause symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, iron deficiency, and growth and development problems.
• Screening for colon polyps and colon cancer: Screening with colonoscopy comes up especially in certain age and risk groups.

Liver, bile and pancreas diseases

• Fatty liver disease (NAFLD): It often presents incidentally with elevated enzymes and is related to weight, nutrition and metabolic status.
• Hepatitis: Viral or drug-induced liver damage; follow-up and treatment plan may be required.
• Gallstones: May cause pain attacks and indigestion; in some cases, joint evaluation with general surgery is required.
• Pancreatitis and pancreatic problems: It is characterized by severe abdominal pain and elevated enzymes.

Due to this diversity, it is both safe and time-saving to get clarification with a gastroenterology examination instead of “internet diagnosis” in long-lasting digestive complaints.

When to Visit a Gastroenterologist (Symptom Guide)

the answer to the question “when to see a gastroenterologist” depends on the duration, severity and accompanying symptoms. An evaluation by a gastroenterologist is usually the right step in the following cases

• If heartburn, reflux symptoms recur several times a week
• Abdominal pain lasts longer than 2-3 weeks or recurs frequently
• Bloating and gas affect daily life and do not improve despite dietary changes
• if you have chronic diarrhea (especially longer than 2-4 weeks) or prolonged constipation
• Nausea and vomiting recurs and significantly affects appetite
• If unexplained iron deficiency/anemia is detected (the cause may be digestive)
• If liver enzyme elevation or jaundice is suspected

“Alarm symptoms” that should be addressed without delay

It is important not to delay the appointment if you have the following symptoms; in some cases, urgent evaluation may be required:

• Blood in the stool or tarry black stools
• Unexplained weight loss
• Difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing
• Severe, persistent abdominal pain
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin/white of the eyes)
• New onset of bowel habit change over 50 years of age
• Strong family history such as colon cancer/IBD in the family

These symptoms do not always indicate a serious disease; however, evaluation by a gastroenterologist prevents delay in diagnosis.

How to Perform a Gastroenterology Examination (Step by Step)

The anxiety of “What will happen in the examination?” leads many people to delay the appointment. However, gastroenterology examination is usually planned and step by step.

1) What is asked at the first consultation?

The gastroenterologist usually focuses on the following topics:

• When the complaint started, in which situations it increased/decreased
• Diet, sleep, stress and lifestyle
• Medications used (painkillers, antibiotics, stomach medications, etc.)
• Family history of similar diseases
• Previous examinations and treatments

It is useful to take old endoscopy/colonoscopy reports, blood tests and a list of your regular medications to the appointment.

2) Physical examination and preliminary evaluation

Signs such as abdominal examination, signs of jaundice and tenderness are evaluated. Then, if necessary, tests are planned.

3) Investigations that may be requested

Depending on the condition:

• Blood tests (hemogram, iron, liver enzymes, etc.)
• Stool tests (infection, occult blood, etc.)
• Imaging such as ultrasound, MRI/CT
• Endoscopy (gastroscopy) and/or colonoscopy

After the examination, the plan is clarified: sometimes only dietary/medication adjustments are sufficient, sometimes further investigations may be required. For a more detailed description of the procedure: What is endoscopy, how is it done? and Colonoscopy preparation guide.

Endoscopy and Colonoscopy: When Do I Need It, Should I Be Afraid?

Endoscopy and colonoscopy are very valuable procedures in the diagnosis of digestive system diseases. The concern of “will it hurt?” is common among the public; however, in most centers today, the patient’s comfort is increased with sedation (drowsiness).

• Endoscopy (gastroscopy): The esophagus-stomach-twelve finger intestine is evaluated. It may be requested in cases such as reflux, suspicion of ulcer, prolonged stomach pain, anemia.
• Colonoscopy: The large intestine is evaluated. Blood in the stool, prolonged diarrhea/constipation, screening for polyps and some abdominal pain.

Short notes on preparation and post-processing

• It is very important to follow the preparation plan recommended by the doctor for bowel cleansing during colonoscopy.
• If sedation is taken after the procedure, it may be necessary not to drive the same day.
• If your doctor deems it necessary, a biopsy may be taken; this is a routine procedure and is diagnostically valuable.

How to Make a Gastroenterology Appointment (Practical Guide) + Tips for Istanbul

to facilitate the Gastroenterology appointment process, the following steps are useful:

1. Write down your complaints in short notes: when do they start, what triggers them, what relieves them?
2. Prepare your regular medications and any reports/analyses.
3. When making an appointment, be sure to select the “gastroenterology” branch; in some hospitals it can be confused with “internal medicine”.
4. If there is a possibility of endoscopy/colonoscopy, ask the registration unit for information about fasting/medication before the procedure.

When choosing between “gastroenterology doctors”

it is important to find the right specialist for your needs rather than a single “best” name. You can look at the following

• Specialist’s area of interest (reflux, IBD, hepatology, etc.)
• Procedure experience (endoscopy/colonoscopy)
• Follow-up plan and communication approach

For those looking for a gastroenterology doctor in Istanbul

there are many options and competition is high in searches for Istanbul gastroenterology doctor. Therefore, when making a choice:

• Ease of transportation (public transportation/parking)
• Availability of appointments and the ability to perform examinations in the same center
• Multidisciplinary approach if necessary (general surgery, radiology, nutrition support) such criteria make your job easier.

If you want to schedule an appointment, our related pages are: Online appointment and Contact.

Frequently Asked Questions (Short Answers)

**Should you fast for a gastroenterology examination? It is not usually required for routine examinations; however, fasting may be necessary if blood tests or endoscopy is planned. Confirm with the center before the appointment.

**Internal medicine or gastroenterology for reflux? Internal medicine may start in mild complaints; gastroenterology specialist evaluation is more appropriate in recurrent / prolonged reflux.

**How often is a colonoscopy performed? It depends on age and risk status. Factors such as family history, history of polyps determine the range; consult your gastroenterologist for a decision.

**Blood in the stool which department? Gastroenterology evaluation is usually required; emergency admission may be appropriate in some cases.

Digestive system complaints can become chronic when postponed because they “pass”. Seeing a gastroenterologist at the right time reduces unnecessary anxiety and provides fast access to the right treatment. If you want to clarify your complaints and create a plan, do not delay the gastroenterology appointment step.