Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, which include the organs from mouth into anus, along the alimentary canal, are the focus of this speciality. Physicians practicing in this field are called gastroenterologists.
A gastroenterologist needs to have a detailed understanding of the normal physiology of all the above mentioned organs as well as motility through the intestines and gastrointestinal tract in order to maintain a healthy digestion, absorption of nutrients, removal of waste and metabolic processes.
A gastroenterologist also needs to have a clear understanding of ailments affecting the organs of the gastrointestinal system like:
- peptic ulcer disease
- gastric cancers
- esophageal cancers
- achalasia
- Barret’s esophagus
- colon polyps
- colon and bowel cancers
- pancreatitis
- pancreatic cancers
- cholecystitis
- biliary tract disease
- gallbladder stones and cancer
- hepatitis
- gastroesophageal reflux
- colitis
- nutritional problems and malabsorption,
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- a host of other disease condition