Can gastroenterologists perform surgery?

No, gastroenterologists typically do not perform surgery. They advise GI surgeons on treatments based on their diagnosis and testing.

Can a hepatologist diagnose gallbladder issues?

Yes, a hepatologist can monitor and diagnose gallbladder anomalies as it is a part of the liver.

Are gastroenterologists and proctologists the same?

A gastroenterologist treats the whole digestive system, while a proctologist focuses solely on the intestinal region. Proctologists also perform surgery on the intestinal region.

Can I see a gastroenterologist if I have a constant bloated feeling and loss of appetite?

You may schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist regarding any digestive symptoms. For easy appointment booking, log on to myAster.

Schedule Your Appointment with a Gastroenterology Specialist on myAster Today!

Gastero Enterology

Get Effective Gastroenterology Diagnosis & Treatment with Our Specialists

Gastroenterology is the field of medicine that deals with your digestive system and its physiological functions. Since the system regulates multiple body functions, gastroenterologists often specialize in treating the digestive system's distinct aspects (and ensuing conditions). Common examples of this include acid reflux treatment and consultation for gastritis.

Though your digestive tract has several organs that factor into its functioning, gastroenterologists focus on the GI (gastrointestinal) tract.Treatment of organs associated with the digestive tract, such as the liver, for instance, usually requires insight from a hepatologist. Practitioners in these sub-specializations can prescribe procedures like cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal), as they are required to have foundational training in gastroenterology.

A significant point you must note here is that gastroenterologists do not perform surgery. However, they often work closely with GI surgeons to navigate a suitable treatment course for your condition.

Gastroenterology clinics in Dubai can provide you with general treatment for the GI tract. However, their treatment scope does not end there. Most experts in this field specialize in distinct areas of treatment, aligned with the respective organs that influence digestion. Since digestion is a mostly linear process, we can categorize lines of gastroenterologist treatment accordingly. Some broad areas of consultation and treatment in this field include:

- Esophageal treatment is focused on treating conditions that affect your food pipe. A prominent disorder in this category is GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease), which requires dedicated acid reflux treatment.
- Gastrointestinal treatment focuses on the stomach and intestines. Many conditions require specialist treatment in this division, ranging from appendicitis to gastritis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a chronic condition. They also play a key role in identifying and supervising the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.
- Liver, pancreas & gallbladder treatment, which will require consultation and diagnosis from an expert in the respective sub-specializations of gastroenterology. Treatment in this category addresses conditions that affect the organs related to digestion, such as cirrhosis, gallstones, hepatitis, and pancreatitis.

Gastroenterologists also provide diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment for conditions that involve the digestive system as part of their pathophysiology. For instance, if you are not seeing results from conventional weight loss methods, then you may be referred to a GI surgeon for potential gastric sleeve surgery or other bariatric methods.

Having a clear idea of when to visit a gastroenterology specialist is key to getting an early diagnosis and effective treatment.

When To Visit a Gastroenterology Doctor in Dubai

There can be multiple reasons behind needing to see a gastroenterology specialist in Dubai.

- You may opt for an appointment with a gastro specialist yourself if the issue you are facing is apparent
- You may also be referred by your family doctor to get an expert perspective on a gastric issue like gastritis.

In cases where you are unsure whether the issue you are facing is gastric or due to other anomalies (e.g., heartburn), it is important to keep an eye on common symptoms that could indicate underlying GI system issues. Some telltale symptoms to watch out for include, but are not limited to:

- The presence of blood or other abnormal coloration in your feces
- Feeling sharp pain and constant discomfort in your abdomen
- Facing digestion and metabolism issues, including acidity symptoms
- Having adverse reactions to a particular food, such as nut allergies.

You may also require consultation from a gastroenterologist at regular intervals, to rule out the risk of potential cancer in the gastric tract. If you are over 50, you should schedule a check-up with your gastroenterologist to scan for risk factors that point toward disorders such as colon cancer.

A gastroenterologist’s perspective may also be required for cases of malnutrition and other issues related to weight gain/loss. In these instances, gastroenterologists collaborate with other specialists such as dietitians to create a holistic treatment plan for you. They also play a key role in the approval of procedures like gastric sleeve surgery.

As in any other prominent healthcare hub, the best gastroenterologists in Dubai provide an extensive range of diagnoses and treatments for various gastric health conditions. They may also assist other medical departments in providing accurate diagnoses of chronic conditions, such as diabetes.

Common Procedures and Treatments

The spectrum of treatments that are administered in gastroenterology is diverse. Gastroenterologists provide monitoring, diagnosing, and treatment for gastric anomalies within the ambit of non-surgical treatment. A major aspect of these treatments is endoscopy, which involves the insertion of a tube/catheter with a camera fitted on it for close inspection of your GI tract and organs. It is ideal for diagnosing conditions like gastritis, among many others.

The type of endoscopy performed is classified by the target region of inspection.

- An upper endoscopy targets the preliminary sections of the digestive system, up until the small intestine.
- An enteroscopy specifically targets your intestines.
- A colonoscopy focuses on the colon section of your large intestine and is pivotal in detecting colon cancer.
- A sigmoidoscopy involves examining your bowels for signs of blood loss and other anomalies.
- Polypectomy is a hand-in-glove procedure with endoscopy in certain instances, where your gastroenterology specialist will remove polyps in the small intestine and stomach.
- Gastroenterologists can also perform biopsies of core organs in the digestive system, such as the liver and pancreas.
- In some cases, they supervise feeding tube insertion to ensure equilibrium in the digestive tract during other surgical procedures.
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) is a technique that combines endoscopy and fluoroscopic X-rays to accurately map out your gall bladder (and bile ducts). It is instrumental in the overall diagnosis and treatment leading to cholecystectomy.

Finding the right gastroenterologist to recommend an ideal treatment course involves consideration of multiple factors. All those factors get streamlined into one simple, intuitive interface with myAster.

myAster: Seamless Gastroenterologist Consultation

Through an easy-access mobile app and website, myAster brings the best gastroenterologists in Dubai to one intuitive interface. With a few clicks, you can launch filtered searches for gastroenterology specialists based on factors like languages spoken and sub-specializations. Additionally, you can view your gastric test results from anywhere with myAster, as they are available digitally on the app. Scheduling follow-up appointments is also facilitated through timely notifications. In short, myAster will simplify your medical journeys, from start to finish.

Do gastroenterology specialists perform cancer treatment?

Gastroenterologists can accurately diagnose and pinpoint specific cancers of the digestive system, such as colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer. They accomplish this through dedicated diagnosis methods, including endoscopy and biopsies.