The gastroenterologist, or gastro, is the doctor who specializes in treating diseases or changes in the entire gastrointestinal tract, which goes from the mouth to the anus. Thus, it is responsible for treating various diseases related to digestion, stomach pains, intestinal cramps, constipation and diarrhea, for example.
The gastroenterologist can work in clinics or hospitals, can perform consultations, tests, prescribe medication and give guidance on what to do to maintain the health and proper functioning of the organs of the abdomen.
Within gastroenterology, there are other medical specialties, such as hepatology, which is the specialty responsible for the liver and bile ducts, proctology, which is responsible for investigating changes in the rectum, such as tumors, hemorrhoids and fissures, for example, and endoscopy digestive system, which is responsible for the study that serves to diagnose and treat diseases of the digestive tract through an endoscope.
When to go to the gastroenterologist
The visit to the gastroenterologist is indicated when there are symptoms involving organs related to digestion, such as the esophagus, stomach, intestine, pancreas and liver. Thus, in case the person feels nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, enlargement of the belly or burning in the stomach, for example, it is indicated to consult the gastro.
The main diseases treated by the gastroenterologist are:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease, which causes heartburn, pain and burning in the stomach area. Understand what it is and how to identify gastroesophageal reflux. Gastritis and gastric ulcer, which cause burning and pain in the stomach, in addition to nausea and poor digestion; Gallbladder stone: which can cause pain and vomiting after eating. Learn more about what to do in the gallbladder stone; Hepatitis and cirrhosis, which are serious liver diseases that can cause yellow eyes, vomiting, bleeding and an enlarged belly; Irritable bowel syndrome, a disease that causes abdominal discomfort and diarrhea; Pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, caused by stones or the use of excessive alcoholic beverages, and causes pain in the belly; Inflammatory bowel disease, disease related to immunity, which causes diarrhea and bleeding in the intestine; Lactose intolerance, type of food intolerance that causes diarrhea and abdominal bloating after drinking milk and dairy products. Learn how to know if it is lactose intolerance. Hemorrhoids, a disease that causes bleeding from the anus.
Thus, in the presence of signs and symptoms that indicate pain or changes in digestion, it is possible to seek out the general practitioner, who is capable of caring for many of these diseases, however when it is necessary to perform a special procedure, the general practitioner indicates the consultation with a gastroenterologist, who is the specialist doctor in this area.
Where to find
Through SUS, the consultation with a gastroenterologist is carried out with the referral of the family doctor or general practitioner of the health post, in case of need to support the treatment of some of these diseases.
There are also a lot of gastroenterologists who attend privately or through a health plan, and for that, you should contact the health plan through the phone or internet, so that the doctors available for care are shown.
