The branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and related organs.
A medical procedure that involves the insertion of a thin, flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) into the digestive tract to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines for abnormalities or perform therapeutic interventions.
A procedure in which a flexible, lighted tube (colonoscope) is inserted through the rectum to examine the colon and rectum for abnormalities, such as polyps, tumors, or inflammation.
A chronic condition characterized by the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.
A group of chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.
A late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by long-term liver damage, often due to chronic liver diseases like hepatitis or alcoholism, leading to impaired liver function.
Inflammation of the pancreas, which can be acute or chronic and is often characterized by severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes in the blood.
Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by viral infections (hepatitis A, B, C, etc.), excessive alcohol consumption, autoimmune diseases, or certain medications, leading to symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain.
Inflammation or infection of small pouches (diverticula) that develop in the wall of the colon, often due to fecal matter becoming trapped in these pouches, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits.
Swollen veins in the rectum or anus that may cause pain, itching, and bleeding, often due to straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, or chronic constipation.