Gastroenterology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive system. Gastroenterologists deal with diseases such as gastritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, bile ducts, and colon cancer. Through endoscopic procedures (gastroscopy to colonoscopy), ultrasound and other diagnostic methods, gastroenterologists gain insight into the state of the patient’s digestive organs.
Gastroenterology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive organs, which include: esophagus, stomach, gall bladder, liver, pancreas, spleen, small intestine, large intestine and rectum.
The most common gastroenterological diseases are: gastritis, ulcer, reflux esophagitis (gerd), enteropathies, diverticulosis, polyps, colon tumors, irritable colon syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases.
The main diagnostic method in gastroenterology is endoscopies, i.e. gastroscopy and colonoscopy. Due to the preparation for the examination and the actual performance, patients avoid and postpone them. However, as far as gastroenterology is concerned, endoscopies represent the gold standard in diagnostics, and in most cases are superior to other methods (ultrasound, magnetic resonance and MSCT) for several reasons. By placing an endoscope (a thin, flexible instrument with a camera), the gastroenterologist during one examination can see the condition of the mucosa, see live movements and function of all organs, and can also take tissue samples for biopsy as well as perform minor interventions.
Gastroenterological diagnostic methods:
- Gastroscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Ultrasound examination
- Magnetic resonance
- MSCT