A gastroenterologist is a type of medical professional who is qualified to perform treatments and diagnose diseases of the gastrointestinal system. The gastrointestinal system is a system of organs that work together to process and digest food and liquids that pass through the body. It begins with the esophagus, leads into the stomach, and then goes through the intestines before exiting the body. Anytime someone experiences any issues on any portion of their gastrointestinal system, a GI specialist will likely be able to help them manage their symptoms with treatment. Treatments can be more conservative, but when these conservative options fail, procedures are the next best option. There are a few types of procedures that gastroenterologists can perform. To learn more about these specific kinds of procedures, keep reading below.
What types of procedures can a gastroenterologist perform?
- Liver biopsy — A liver biopsy is performed in-office, for patients who may be at risk of or have been diagnosed with liver disease. This is a minimally invasive procedure where a gastroenterologist collects a sample of the liver tissue for testing. The patient can go home the same day.
- Colonoscopy — Colonoscopies are routinely performed at least every 10 years for people 45 and older. It involves using a long tube with a video camera attached to view the inside of the colon for any abnormalities like cancerous polyps.
- Capsule endoscopy — During a capsule endoscopy, a small pill-like capsule with a video camera inside is swallowed by a patient so that the physician can view the inside of the gastrointestinal tract. It’s most often used to help diagnose gastrointestinal disease.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Digestive Health Institute with any further questions!
Still wondering what other things you should know about digestive health services? Are you not sure why you might need care, or maybe you are looking for more information or have other digestive health questions? Please don’t wait to reach out to one of our team members for help. Our team of GI specialists has the training and experience to answer any questions you may have. They can also help you find the most effective treatments for your conditions and for common GI issues.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.