Gastroenterology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study of diseases of the digestive system. Physicians that are trained in the field of gastroenterology are known as gastroenterologists. A gastroenterologist can diagnose, treat, and also carry out different procedures for the treatment of diseases of the digestive system. Some of the common procedures that a gastroenterologist can carry out include colonoscopy, endoscopy, ultrasound and liver biopsy. The digestive system starts from the mouth, along with the alimentary canal, to the anus. The gastrointestinal system consists of 3 parts. They include the following:

  • Responsible for the digestion and the movement of food from to the mouth, through the intestines, until it’s passed out from the body.
  • The absorption of food nutrients
  • Elimination of waste materials from the body.

Some of the organs that constitute the digestive system include the pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, intestines (small and large), liver, gallbladder, pancreas, tongue, epiglottis, rectum and the anus. As earlier mentioned, a gastroenterologist can treat any disease that affects the organs above.

What Are the Reasons for Visiting A Gastroenterologist?

Gastroenterologists can treat various diseases of the digestive system. Below are some of these diseases.

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • Ulcer
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Hepatitis diseases
  • Polyps
  • Jaundice
  • Colon cancer
  • Haemorrhoids
  • Bloody stool
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Pancreatitis
  • Celiac disease

What Diseases Can A Gastroenterologist Treat?

A gastroenterologist is trained to treat diseases associated with the digestive system. Below are some of the common diseases of the digestive system.

  1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Inflammatory bowel disease is a term used to describe two main diseases. These are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. These are chronic disorders of the digestive tract.
  2. Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease of the digestive tract that leads to the inflammation and ulceration of parts of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the colon and the rectum. Some of the initial symptoms of this disease include abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Other signs and symptoms of this disease include loss of weight, fever, and anaemia. These symptoms might vary in severity. They present intermittently. A patient might feel relieved for some time before the symptoms start presenting. Ulcerative colitis can also lead to complications if not well managed. Some of these complications include toxic megacolon, inflammation of the joints, eyes and the liver. In severe cases, patients might develop colon cancer. The exact cause of ulcerative colitis isn’t known yet, however, there are some factors that contribute to the development of the disease. They include genetics, immune system, and environmental factors. It has been observed that this disease is more prevalent in the developed world. Gastroenterologists diagnose this disease by performing colonoscopy, tissue biopsy on the patient. Patients can also reduce the risk of developing the disease by modifying their diet to contain more high calories or lactose-free. There are some medications that can be used to treat the signs and symptoms of this disease. Some of the include aminosalicylates, steroids, and biologic therapy. Surgery can also be done in severe cases of ulcerative colitis.

What Are The Causes Of Ulcerative Colitis?

The cause of Ulcerative colitis isn’t exactly known. However, different studies and research have made some suggestions. Some of these suggestions are factors such as genetics, environmental factors, immune system.

  • Environmental factors: Environmental factors such as diet is one that could increase the risks of having ulcerative colitis. As an illustration, consuming food that has excessive amounts of unsaturated fat and pantothenic acid increases the risk of having ulcerative colitis. In addition, foods rich in sulphur have also been implicated to raise the chances of having this inflammatory disease.
  • Immune system: Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is one in which the body T cells fails to recognize the body tissues. This is what happens in Ulcerative colitis. T cells fail to recognize the rectum, and they attack it. Ulcerative colitis is usually localized to the rectum and doesn’t affect the entire colon, as compared to Crohn’s disease.

It has been observed that smoking reduces the chances of having this disease

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Ulcerative Colitis?

The signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary in patients. However, some of the common symptoms of the disease include the following;

  • Diarrhoea: Patients affected by ulcerative colitis tend to present with bloody diarrhoea and pus. This is one of the features that differentiate it from Crohn’s disease.
  • Rectal pain: Patient might also present pain in their rectum. This can be attributed to the ulceration in the affected parts of the digestive tract.
  • Rectal bleeding: Ulceration of the rectum and colon eventually leads to bleeding, which is evident in the stool passed by patients.
  • Loss of weight
  • Weakness
  • Fever
  • Failure to grow, especially in children
  • Urgency to defecate

The duration of the symptoms varies in patients. Also, some patients might have short periods of remission, while others will have long periods of remission.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Ulcerative Colitis?

The exact cause of ulcerative colitis isn’t known yet. However, some risk factors have been identified. Some of them include the following;

  • Age: This disease is more prevalent in people between the age of 15-29, and also in people aged 55 and above.
  • Race: Ulcerative colitis tends to occur more in people of Jewish descent, as compared to other races.
  • Family history: People that have relatives that have had ulcerative colitis, have a high chance of developing the disease.

What Are the Complications Of Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis can lead to different complications, especially when it’s not well managed. Some of the complications include:

  • Liver diseases
  • Toxic megacolon
  • Dehydration
  • Severe bleeding
  • Inflammation of the joints, eyes and skin.
  • Perforated colon

How Is Ulcerative Colitis Currently Treated?

Ulcerative colitis can be treated with medications. Examples of medications that can be used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates and corticosteroids.

  • Aminosalicylates: They are the first line drugs for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Examples of aminosalicylate are sulfasalazine and magazine.
  • Corticosteroids: They are used for the suppression of the immune system, considering that Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disease.

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. This disease may affect any part of the digestive tract. Some of the signs and symptoms of this disease include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, loss of weight, fever and so on. It can also present with some complications if the disease is not well treated. Some of the complications of Crohn’s disease include anaemia, inflammation of the eyes, joints, skin disorders and so on. Some patients might also present with bowel obstruction, and in severe cases, colon cancer might also occur. Just like Ulcerative colitis, the exact cause of Crohn’s disease isn’t known yet, however, there are some factors that contribute to the development of the disease. They include environmental, immune and infections. Unlike in ulcerative colitis, smoking significantly increases the risk of developing Crohn’s disease. The disease has no cure. However, there are some treatment options that can help to relieve the symptoms of the disease, and also maintain remission. Some of these drugs include corticosteroids, methotrexate and so on. Lifestyle changes also help in reducing the risk of developing the disease.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Crohn’s Disease?

  • Gastrointestinal symptoms: Most people affected by the disease do present signs and symptoms way before a diagnosis is made. This disease mostly starts in the age range of 15 and 30. Although, it can also occur at any age. Patients might present with abdominal pain, especially in the lower right quadrant. Other symptoms might include diarrhoea. Stools passed out by patients might be bloody or not. Patients also have an increased bowel movement. Intestinal stenosis is also prevalent in Crohn’s disease. Patients also tend to vomit. If left untreated, patients might present with fistula around the anal area or anal fissures. Other common gastrointestinal symptoms include colorectal polyps, faecal incontinence, aphthous ulcer, dysphagia, and vomiting.
  • Extraintestinal symptoms:
  1. Musculoskeletal diseases:  Crohn’s disease could lead to the development of some joint diseases. It is associated with a particular type of joint disease known as the seronegative joint diseases, which include diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis. Other conditions might involve the different joints of the body, like the knee, wrist, and shoulder joints.
  2. Endocrine system: Crohn’s disease also affects the endocrine system, and cause conditions such as thyroid dysfunction.
  3. Eyes: It affects the eyes, and could lead to uveitis. Patients also complain of photophobia. In addition to this, they might be the inflammation of the sclera. If these conditions are left untreated, the patient might eventually end up losing his vision completely.
  4. In addition, some other systems of this disease are clubbing, and anaemia. Patients usually have iron deficiency anaemia, and also macrocytic anaemia. Examples of macrocytic anaemia are Vitamin b12 and folate deficiency.

What Are the Causes Of Crohn’s Disease?

The exact cause of Crohn’s disease isn’t known yet. However, there are some factors that increase the risk of developing the disease. Below are some of them:

  • Heredity: Crohn’s disease is more prevalent in people that have a family history of the disease. It has been suspected that genetics play a role in the development of this disease. However, a majority of those affected by the disease have been reported not to have a history of the disease.
  • Infections: Some microorganisms have been implicated to be factors in the development of Crohn’s disease. Some microbes are usually present in intestines affected by the disease. Some of these microbes include Mycobacterium avium and Listeria.
  • Environmental factors: This disease is more predominant in people who consume a lot of protein and dairy products, while those who consume more fibres and vegetables have fewer chances of having the disease.
  • Immune system: People with a weakened immune system tend to have a high risk of developing Crohn’s disease. Infections also increase the risk of developing the disease.

What Are the Risk Factors Of Crohn Disease?

  • Age: Crohn’s disease can happen at any age. However, it’s been noted that it’s more likely to occur when people are young. The majority of Crohn’s disease patients are diagnosed before the age of 30.
  • Race: Crohn’s disease tends to occur more in people of Jewish descent, as compared to other races.
  • Family history: People that have relatives that have had Crohn’s disease, have a high chance of developing the disease.
  • Medications: There are some medications that can lead to the development of Crohn’s disease. Some of them include ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen and so on. Although these medications do not cause Crohn’s disease, they lead to the inflammation of the bowel, which worsens the disease.
  • Cigarette smoking: Unlike Ulcerative colitis, smoking increases the risk of developing Crohn’s disease. This is why it’s important to avoid smoking if you realize you have a high risk of developing the disease.

What Are The Complications Of Crohn’s Disease?

  • Bowel obstruction: This disease affects the thickness of the wall of the intestine. It might also affect other parts of the digestive tract over time. The scarring of the bowel may eventually narrow the digestive tract, and surgery might be needed to remove the affected part.
  • Fistulas: In severe cases of Crohn’s disease, the ulcer can extend entirely through the walls of the intestine, leading to a fistula. When this occurs in the abdomen, food might bypass the areas of the bowel that are needed for absorption to occur. Fistulas can also occur between the bladder and vagina, out into the skin, leading to the drainage of the contents of the bowel into the skin.
  • Colon cancer: Crohn’s disease when not well treated increases the risk of developing colon cancer.
  • Malnutrition
  • Anal fissure

How Is Crohn’s Disease Treated?

There is presently no cure for Crohn’s disease. However, there is some treatment that can be given to improve the long-term prognosis and also improve the signs and symptoms. Some of the medications gastroenterologist administer include the following;

  • Corticosteroids: Examples of these group of drugs include prednisone. They’re capable of reducing inflammation. Corticosteroids also help to relieve symptoms on a short-term purpose. They can also be used in combination with other drugs, such as immune system suppressor drugs.
  • Aminosalicylates: Examples of this type of drugs include sulfasalazine and mesalazine.
  • Antibiotics: They help to decrease the amount of drainage, and also helps to heal fistulas rapidly.
  1. Peptic Ulcer Disease

Peptic ulcer disease can be described as a condition in which there are open sores in the stomach and also in the small intestine. This is due to a break in the lining of the stomach or intestine.  Peptic ulcer disease can be divided into two parts. They are;

  • Gastric ulcer: This is the kind of ulcer that develops on the inner lining of the stomach.
  • Duodenal ulcer: This is the type of ulcer that develops in the upper part of the duodenum.

Some of the signs and symptoms of an ulcer include heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, belching, bloating and so on. Some of the prevalent causes of peptic ulcer disease include Helicobacter pylori infection, side effects of medications. Other less common causes of this disease include smoking, complications of other medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, liver cirrhosis and so on.  A peptic ulcer can be treated by changing your diet, and also your lifestyle. In case this doesn’t work, gastroenterologists might administer some medications. Examples of this medications include proton pump inhibitor, and antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and clarithromycin.

What Are The Causes Of Peptic Ulcer Disease?

Peptic ulcer disease when there is a break in the lining of the digestive tract. This often leads to the development of sores, that may bleed. This bleeding if uncontrolled and left to persist for long can lead to anaemia. The stomach has a mucous covering that reduces the effect of the acid on its inner lining. However, some drugs, such as NSAIDs usually depletes prostaglandin, that enhances the production of the mucus in the stomach. Below are some of the causes of peptic ulcer.

  • Helicobacter pylori: These bacteria live in the mucous layer that protects the stomach and intestine. Usually, these bacteria do not cause any damage to the digestive tract. However, they do sometimes cause inflammation of the gastric lining, leading to the formation of sores, and leading to an ulcer. The mechanism through which these bacteria causes ulcer is not quite H. pylori are mostly concentrated in the antral part of the stomach.
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: The prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a long time can lead to the development of an ulcer. Usually, the gastric mucosa secretes a layer of mucus that protects the stomach from the effect of the gastric acid. Prostaglandin stimulates and enhances the production of this mucus. However, NSAIDs such as aspirin blocks the activity of cyclooxygenase, which is primarily responsible for the production of prostaglandin. The production of this stomach protective mucus layer is decreased when an individual uses NSAIDs. This significantly increases the risk of having an ulcer. In addition, the risk of developing ulcers becomes increasingly higher when NSAIDs are used for the treatment of chronic diseases, and used for a long time. There are some NSAIDs that can be safely used, without depleting the stomach protective mucus layer. An example of such NSAIDs is celecoxib.
  • Stress: Stress is also a common cause of peptic ulcer of the ulcer. This includes physical and emotional stress. People who are exposed to high levels of stress have a high risk of developing an ulcer, due to the secretion of acid, that comes with stress.
  • Nutrition: There are some food substances, that increases the chance of having an ulcer. Some of them are caffeine and spicy food. Studies have also shown that alcohol also increases the risk of having an ulcer, especially those who consume an excessive amount of the drink.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Peptic Ulcer?

Some of the signs and symptoms of a peptic ulcer include the following:

  • Heartburn
  • Anaemia: This occurs when there is blood loss associated with hematemesis is not well managed or controlled. The chronic blood loss will eventually lead to anaemia due to chronic blood loss.
  • Severe cases of ulcer can lead to perforation. This can lead to peritonitis and a feeling of stabbing pain in the epigastric region. This kind of condition is usually an emergency and usually requires surgery.
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating and belching

What Are The Risk Factors Of Peptic Ulcer Disease?

  • Diet: People that consume a lot of spicy foods have a high risk of developing peptic ulcer disease.
  • Stress: Stress tends to increase the secretion of acid into the stomach. This is why it’s important to avoid stress if you know you have a high risk of developing the disease.
  • Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing peptic ulcer disease. This is more prominent in those that are infected with Helicobacter pylori.

What Are The Complications Of Peptic Ulcer Disease?

Below are some of the complications of peptic ulcer disease.

  • Infection: One of the complications of peptic ulcer disease is a perforation, which might lead to the development of an infection in the abdominal cavity.
  • Obstruction: Peptic ulcer disease can lead to the obstruction of the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract. This might lead to weight loss.
  • Bleeding: Peptic ulcer can lead to anaemia. This occurs when the bleeding occurs without proper treatment for a long time.

How Is Peptic Ulcer Diagnosed?

  • Urea breath test: Your physician may prescribe a Urea breath test to check if the bacteria is present in the blood or faeces of the patient.
  • Endoscopy: This is usually the first line diagnostic procedure in old people and a confirmatory diagnostic procedure in people below the age of 50.

How Is Peptic Ulcer Treated Now?

  • Physicians usually administer the triple therapy which includes 2 antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor.
  • Surgery can also be done for the treatment of complications.

Gastroenterologist Near Me

It’s important to go see a gastroenterologist if you suspect you have any of the above signs and symptoms.

References

Brand, R. (2006). Risk of colon cancer in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer patients as predicted by fuzzy modelling: Influence of smoking. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 12(28), p.4485.

Buc, E., Kwiatkowski, F., Alves, A., Panis, Y., Mantion, G. and Slim, K. (2006). Tobacco Smoking: A Factor of Early Onset of Colorectal Cancer. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, 49(12), pp.1893-1896.

Genel, S. (2013). Clinical Presentation of Celiac Disease Masks Therapeutic Perspectives of Celiac Disease. Pharmaceutica Analytica Acta, 04(04).