A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in the management of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Because of their specialized medical training in gastroenterology, endoscopic procedures led by a gastroenterologist often lead to more accurate detection of polyps and cancer with fewer complications.

The most common conditions, diseases, and disorders diagnosed and treated by gastroenterologists include:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  
• Heartburn
  
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  
• Celiac disease
  
• Gallbladder or liver disease
  
• Acid reflux
  
• Hemorrhoids
  
• Digestive diseases
  
• Cancer (gastrointestinal, liver, pancreas, colon, rectal)
  

Your primary care provider may refer you to a GI specialist to receive medical advice and treatment for a number of conditions, including:

• Acid reflux
  
• Ulcers
  
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  
• Hepatitis
  
• Hemorrhoids
  
• Gallstones
  
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  
• Lactose intolerance
  
• Pancreatitis
  

For conditions of the liver, you may be referred to a herpetologist - a GI doctor with special expertise in liver conditions.

Gastroenterologists specialize in any conditions related to the digestive or gastrointestinal tracts, which encompass the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver.

Your primary care provider may refer you to a gastroenterologist if you're experiencing abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea or constipation, heartburn, acid reflux, bloating, black bowel movements, rectal bleeding, sudden and unexplainable weight loss, having difficulty swallowing, and more.

Starting at the age of 50, it is recommended that you start getting screened routinely for rectal and colon cancer with an endoscopic procedure known as a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy used to detect abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. This is performed by inserting a long, flexible tube, known as a colonoscope, into the rectum. A tiny video camera at the tip of the tube allows a doctor to see inside the entire colon.

This tube also allows doctors to remove polyps and other abnormal growths and take tissue samples (biopsies).

Colonoscopies are useful in preventing colorectal cancer and removing colon polyps before they turn into cancer. In addition to being a useful tool for colon cancer screening, they may be used to look inside your large intestine to find the causes of things like abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or changes in bowel habits. They can help doctors diagnose inflammatory bowel disease and differentiate between Chron's disease and ulcerative colitis. A doctor may also schedule a follow-up exam if any polyps are removed during the procedure.

If you're age 50 or older and at average risk of colon cancer and have no family history of colon cancer or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy screening every 10 years (or sometimes sooner).

Endoscopy procedures are nonsurgical tests used to examine the internal organs. The traditional endoscopy procedure involves inserting a small, flexible tube into the body’s cavities to view the internal organs. After the patient receiving the procedure is sedated, the gastroenterologist inserts the flexible tube - with a camera at its end - into the body through the mouth. This tube snakes through the digestive tract, allowing the gastroenterologist to view the internal organs.

Another procedure, capsule endoscopy, involves the patient swallowing a small pill-sized capsule that houses a tiny camera. As this capsule moves through the digestive tract, the small camera takes pictures of the internal organs from inside the body. These images are then sent to a recording device in the doctor’s office for review.

Endoscopy is a diagnostic test used to examine the internal organs for disease. This can help detect and diagnose conditions such as:

• Cancers of the gastrointestinal tract
• Anemia
• Inflammation of the internal organs
• Polyps
• Internal bleeding
• Foreign objects trapped in the GI tract

Endoscopies are relatively straightforward procedures that require little recovery time. You may be asked to stay at the doctor’s office while the sedation wears off, but this usually only takes an hour or so. After the procedure, you may experience mild symptoms of gas or bloating, but these sensations will usually go away within several hours. If these symptoms persist, talk to your health care provider.