If you have any digestive health issues, including pain in your abdomen, difficulty evacuating your bowels, or other similar concerns, you would likely be referred to a gastroenterologist. A gastroenterologist is often more likely to detect certain types of polyps or cancers, especially in the colon. Visiting a gastroenterologist on a regular basis, especially as you get older, can help reduce the risk of developing serious health issues and/or spending time in a hospital.

A gastroenterologist is a medical specialist whose primary focus is to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal diseases. They treat both men and women and some may also specialize in children or individuals with genetic abnormalities for which gastrointestinal problems may be more commonplace. A gastroenterologist will perform endoscopic procedures where they will use specialized instruments to view the gastrointestinal tract from the inside. Gastroenterologists do not perform surgery.

When you first visit a gastroenterologist, a nurse or physician’s assistant will most likely check your vital stats, including blood pressure, height and weight, temperature, and so forth. Next, a gastroenterologist may discuss your symptoms that led you to contact him or her initially. Tests or other procedures may be ordered and the doctor will seek out any pathology that may be affecting your GI tract.

Also known as hepatobiliary medicine, hepatology focuses on the liver, pancreas, and biliary tree. These are subspecialties of gastroenterology. There are numerous components that comprise gastroenterology, including proctology, which focuses more on anus and rectum diseases and health.