GASTROENTEROLOGY

     A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in disorders and conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, also called the digestive tract.  After completing general medical education, gastroenterologist train for three years in adult internal medicine.  Then, gastroenterologists study for an additional 2-3 years specifically for conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.

    Many people go to a gastroenterologist with heartburn, abdominal pain, bowel disturbance, rectal bleeding, and liver problems like hepatitis.  Office visits often consist of an exam, laboratory tests, and prescription of medications to treat the problem.  When indicated, direct examination of the stomach, colon, etc. is done using a fiber optic flexible instrument called the endoscope.