Gastroenterology : Science of Digestion

Gastroenterology is a branch of medical science that deals with the digestive system of the human body. The digestive system consists of gastrointestinal tract (also called the GI tract ) which includes oesophagus,stomach , small and large intestines.It consists of many other assisting organs of digestion, gallbladder, pancreas and liver . Physicians who specialise in gastroenterology are called gastroenterologists. Medharbour multispeciality hospital has the best gastroenterologist in Gurgaon who are experts in diagnosis, treatment and after care of both inpatients and outpatients.

Symptoms of gastroenterology

Symptoms of gastro issues vary from person to person depending on the function hampered or organ affected .

More or less these are most commonly seen symptoms .

• Abdominal pain and uneasiness
• Vomiting food ,water or blood
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Heartburn and indigestion
• Continuous burping
• Ulcers
• Sudden weight gain/weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating or swelling
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Pustules in mouth and inner lining of intestine
• Dryness of mouth
• Dizziness

Best test for gastroenterology-diagnosis and screening for gastroenterology.

Issues in the gastrointestinal tract can be deciphered by various tests ,some of which are very common,well known and completely painless while other tests are conducted for precise detection of the disease .

• Lab tests
  • Faecal occult blood test
  • Stool culture
• Imaging tests
  • Barium beefsteak meal
  • Colorectal transit study
  • CT Scan
  • Defecography
  • Lower GI series
  • MRI(Magnetic resonance imaging)
  • MRCP(Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography)
  • Oropharyngeal motility study
  • Radioisotope gastric emptying scan
  • Ultrasound
  • Upper GI series
• Endoscopic procedure
  • Colonoscopy
  • ERCP(Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
  • EGD(Esophagogastroduodenoscopy)
  • Sigmoidoscopy
• Other procedures
  • Anorectal manometry
  • Esophageal manometry
  • Esophageal pH monitoring
  • Capsule endoscopy
  • Gastric manometry
  • MRCP(Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography)

Digestive organs diseases treated at Medharbour

Some GI problems are mild and usually go away on their own, but some conditions are serious enough that you have to see a physician or gastroenterologist.

Celiac disease

Celiac is caused by an autoimmune reaction to gluten,proteins found in grains such as barley, rye, wheat, and their hybrids. When a person with celiac disease consumes gluten, it triggers an immune reaction which destroys villi, small hair-like projections on the lining of the small intestine.When the villi are destroyed, the small intestine is unable to effectively absorb nutrients, vitamins, and minerals from food. This results in malnutrition and can lead to many serious health problems, including infertility, permanent damage to the small bowel, and even cause  intestinal lymphoma.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Also called nervous stomach, irritable colon, mucous colitis or spastic colon. In IBS one experiences a combination of frequent abdominal pain, bloating and cramps along with either diarrhoea or constipation.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a disorder in which a person is unable to digest lactose, carbohydrates present in all mammals’ milk and in its derivatives. This is due to low levels of an enzyme called lactase which is  responsible for digesting lactose.

Chronic Diarrhoea

Chronic diarrhoea is a gastrointestinal condition in which the person passes watery, mushy or loose stools .The condition lasts for weeks .

Constipation

Constipation is a condition in which people experiences hard, dry and painful bowel movements, occurring less frequently than normal (generally fewer than three bowel movements a week).

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as having symptoms of acid reflux that causes heartburn and throwing up of bile and sometimes food that’s usually undigested.

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) is a gastrointestinal condition, most commonly caused by an infection by a microorganism called Helicobacter pylori, in which ulcers or open sores develop in the inner lining of the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory digestive disease that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It most commonly involves the ileum.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease.It is a digestive disorder that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Gallstones

The gallbladder is a small digestive organ located in the right upper abdomen.

Gallstones are stone-like lumps that develop in the bile ducts or gallbladder. They can be of different shapes and sizes ranging from a centimetres to metres.. Its job is to produce, store and release bile, a fluid that aids digestion of fat.

Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas occurs in people of all ages .Pancreatitis can be either acute or chronic and can also be a cause of morbidity.

Liver Disease

The liver is the second largest organ and plays a vital role in digestion,breaking down of food, storing energy, and getting rid of waste and toxins from the blood.

Mentioned above are just a few of the wide scope of gastrointestinal diseases that hampers everyday living , causes irritation ,anxiety, malnutrition and even death . Medharbour’s gastroenterology wing with a specialised gastroenterologist near you is the best you can get.

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