What is Gastroenterology?

Gastroenterology is the medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the disorders and diseases of the digestive system. Gastroenterology deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and overall management of a wide range of diseases, and disorders associated with the esophagus, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas, small intestine, colon, and liver.

The methods used in diagnosis are generally endoscopic methods including gastroscopy, which is the medical examination of the upper digestive tract including the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum via a long, flexible tube with a small camera inside, and colonoscopy, which is performed through the rectum and examines the lower part of the digestive tract, including the rectum, large intestine, and colon via a thin, and flexible tube with a camera. Sedation is administrated during the upper and lower endoscopy, and colonoscopy to minimize anxiety and discomfort and improve the overall tolerability of the patient.

In fact, many digestive system disorders and diseases have common or similar symptoms. Diagnosing digestive system disorders and diseases accurately requires a thorough examination. What is important is to make an accurate diagnosis to identify any serious and life-threatening diseases requiring specific treatment, and diseases that can be corrected with lifestyle changes and simple medical treatment. A health history, physical exam, tests, endoscopic exams, and sometimes biopsies may be utilized to achieve an accurate diagnosis.

The gastrointestinal tract is the tract of the digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus. The hollow organs that make up the gastrointestinal tract are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. It also includes the salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Esophageal diseases

Symptoms such as heartburn, bad breath, difficulty swallowing, and painful swallowing are commonly associated with a variety of esophageal diseases, including gastroesophageal reflux, and cancer. Diagnostic examination and treatment for serious esophageal diseases such as reflux, esophageal bleeding, esophageal inflammation, and esophageal cancer are carried out by specialist gastroenterologists.

Stomach Diseases

Stomach disorders are common gastrointestinal problems in society. A variety of stomach disorders may occur due to some factors affecting the digestive system. Stress makes the stomach more prone to acid ulceration and hyperacid secretion, and worsens stomach disorders. Depending on the complaints such as stomach pain, and heartburn, diagnostic examination and treatment for gastric diseases such as gastritis, ulcer, reflux, stomach hernia, and stomach cancer are carried out by specialist gastroenterologists.

Intestinal Diseases

After mixing and breaking down foods coming from the esophagus, the stomach passes food in small portions through the duodenum to the small intestine. The main function of the intestines is to absorb and digest foods. The small intestine begins with the end of the stomach. The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine. This is the part where peptic ulcers are most common. Stomach bleeding is most often caused by ulcers in this part. Additionally, for diagnosing Celiac Disease, which is also known as gluten allergy that affects the lining of the small intestine and causes malabsorption, an endoscopic procedure including a biopsy is required. Intestinal diseases can often cause abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.

The large intestine, which is also called the colon, also has its own diseases. Diverticulum, spastic colon, and polyps are in this group. When colon polyps are identified via colonoscopy, they should be removed as they may develop into cancer in the future. In addition, every individual over the age of 45 should have a colonoscopy within the colon cancer screening program.

Diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease), which are common diseases of both the small and large intestines, are also performed in the gastroenterology department.

Anal Canal Diseases

Anal fissures, anal fistula, hemorrhoids, and anal pruritus (anal itching) are quite common in the anus region.

Liver, Bile, and Pancreas Diseases

Liver diseases are among the most serious diseases. Liver diseases are among the most common diseases that gastroenterologists encounter. Liver diseases include liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, liver abscesses, liver hydatid cysts, 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. Gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, gallbladder polyps, injuries or strictures in the biliary tract, and gallbladder tumors are among the common diseases that may develop in the bile ducts.

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 due to 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. The diagnosis and treatment process is planned according to the course of these diseases in the gastroenterology department.

The Department of Gastroenterology deals with a wide range of diseases. In the diagnosis of these diseases, a comprehensive examination is performed by the doctor after taking the patient's history in general. If the physician deems it necessary, many different diagnostic methods are used. These may include ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), Endoscopic Ultrasound  (EUS), and in addition, laboratory tests such as blood and stool testing may also be required.