What is Gastroenterology?
gastroenterology; The digestive system is a branch of science that deals with diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, biliary tract and pancreas, starting from the mouth. The gastroenterology unit deals with the diagnosis and treatment of various digestive system diseases.
In the Gastroenterology departments of Acıbadem Healthcare Group; Hepatologists also apply treatments for liver diseases, including complications of cirrhosis.
What are the Working Areas of the Department of Gastroenterology?
The working area of the gastroenterology department is quite wide. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases that appear different from each other but may be related to each other, from diseases of the esophagus and stomach to diseases that develop due to the intestine, liver, gallbladder and pancreas, are carried out in this area.
Diagnosis and treatment services are provided to patients in the gastroenterology department. Diagnostic methods are generally endoscopic methods. One of these methods for the stomach is called gastroscopy, and the one for the large intestine is called colonoscopy. These diagnostic methods are made with the camera system today. Cameras located at the end of a thin tube are sent to the patient's body and the area is examined. During the endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures, sedation is applied so that the patient does not feel any discomfort.
What Diseases Does Gastroenterology Deal With?
Many digestive system diseases have similar symptoms. Diseases that the field of gastroenterology deals with are generally among the common diseases. Digestion starts from the mouth and continues to the anus. This process includes the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, rectum, and anus. Diagnosis and treatment of these diseases are carried out by specialist doctors in the gastroenterology department.
Many of these diseases can usually be minimized with lifestyle changes. In addition, it can be treated with early diagnosis by changing bowel habits, eliminating problems affecting the functioning of the intestines, and cancer screening tests that are recommended to be carried out regularly every year.
Gastrointestinal Channel Diseases
Diseases of the esophagus (esophagus), which is the first part of the gastrointestinal tract, may be the cause of symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing and bad breath. Diagnosis and treatment of esophageal injuries caused by bleeding or foreign body related to the esophagus, especially reflux, damages caused by irritants such as oil solvents and bleach, and serious diseases such as esophageal cancer are performed by gastroenterology specialists.
Stomach Diseases
Stomach ailments are among the most common diseases. Many different diseases of the stomach, which is constantly in operation, can occur. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as gastritis, ulcer, reflux, stomach hernia, stomach cancer are performed depending on complaints such as abdominal pain and heartburn.
Intestinal Diseases
The general function of the intestines is to absorb the food we eat. Diseases involving chronic inflammation of the digestive tract may develop in the intestines. These; It is called ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Diverticulum, spastic colon and polyps are also among the various intestinal diseases.
Diseases such as ulcers and celiac disease in the duodenum, a part of the small intestine, can cause loss of appetite and diarrhea. Again, these diseases are diagnosed and treated in the gastroenterology department.
Colon Diseases
There are many different diseases that affect the colon and rectum. Functional disorders of the intestine, that is, in cases where it does not work properly, some diseases may occur. These; colitis, polyps, irritable bowel syndrome, anal fissures, constipation, hemorrhoids, abscess or colon cancer. Although colonoscopy is used in the diagnosis of many colon diseases, different diagnostic methods are also preferred. After the diagnosis of the disease is made, the appropriate treatment method is started by the physician.
Rectal Diseases
Rectal diseases are also among the most common diseases. The most common of these are hemorrhoids and hemorrhoidal bleeding. Apart from these; anal fissure (anal crack), anal pruritus (anal itching), anal fistula and abscesses are observed.
Liver, Bile and Pancreas Diseases
Liver diseases are among the most important diseases. Liver diseases are among the most common diseases that gastroenterology physicians encounter. These; diseases such as liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, liver abscesses, liver hydatidosis, liver cancer, benign liver tumors, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and hepatitis D.
Bile diseases are also among the diseases that develop in connection with the liver and pancreas. Some diseases that develop in the bile ducts are; gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, gallbladder polyps, injuries or strictures in the biliary tract, and gallbladder tumors.
Pancreatic-related diseases are among the diseases included in this group. The hormones insulin and glucagon, which are important hormones for the body, are produced in the pancreas. If the pancreas is removed for any reason, the body can no longer produce these hormones. For this reason, people who have their pancreas removed should pay attention to this situation. Some diseases related to the pancreas are; acute pancreatic and chronic pancreatic infection and pancreatic cancer. Diagnosis and treatment process is planned according to the course of these diseases in the gastroenterology department.
Gastroenterology department has a wide range of diseases. In the diagnosis of these diseases, a comprehensive examination is made by the doctor after taking the patient's history in general. If the physician deems it necessary, many different diagnostic methods are used. These; It can be Ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR), Endoscopic Retrogard Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP), Endosonography, and also laboratory tests such as blood and stool test, stool elastase measurement may be requested.