Gastroenterologists deal with problems related to digestive system, such as oesophagus, stomach, liver, rectum, colon, small intestine, gallbladder, biliary tract, and pancreas. It encompasses understanding of normal physiological action of gastrointestinal areas such as absorption and digestion of nutrients, waste removal from system, liver’s functioning, etc. It is known as subspecialty field of the internal medicine.

There are many diseases and conditions of gastrointestinal problems such as gas, constipation, bloating, etc. but there are also many severe conditions as followed:

• Stomach and Oesophagus

Problems involved in stomach and oesophagus include of Achalasia, Barrett’s Oesophagus, Oesophageal Cancer, Stomach or Gastric Ulcer, Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux, Gastro Paresis, Peptic Ulcer, and Swallowing Disorders.

• Liver

Problems that gastroenterologists deal with are Alcohol Liver Disorder, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Liver Transplant, Portal Hypertension, Viral Hepatitis A and E, Viral Hepatitis B, and Viral Hepatitis C.

• Biliary Tract and Pancreas

Problems associated with Biliary Tract and Pancreas Are Acute Pancreatitis, Chronic Pancreatitis, Bile Duct Tumour, Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction, and Gallstone Disease.

• Small and Large Intestine

Problems of small and large intestine includes of Ulcerative Colitis, Sporadic Colorectal Tumour, Kids Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer, Hereditary Colorectal Cancer, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Crohn’s Disease, Colorectal Cancer, Colon Polyps, Collagenous and Lymphocytic Colitis, and APC1307K.  

The common symptoms of having gastrointestinal disorders are acid reflux or heartburn, nausea, vomiting, bloating, flatulence, belching, gallstone pancreatitis, indigestion or dyspepsia, and so on but some of these conditions can be treated well with proper care and treatment from gastroenterologists. There are many best gastroenterologists in Mumbai whom you can consult if you ever suffer from these symptoms or conditions and treated accordingly.

To be gastroenterologist, one requires 13 years’ minimum education along with extensive training. Students interested in this field should be focused in biology, mathematics, and chemistry subjects during undergraduation. After attainment of both bachelors and master’s degree, students prefer to attend medical school for 4 years. After this training they are awarded with either Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or Doctor of Medicine. After this also they require residential internal training which is for 3 years, with further fellowship in gastroenterology. They are trained in all aspects and areas of gastroenterology during this fellowship. After this fellowship and proper training, they become specialists in gastroenterology and are eligible as per the board and offered certification in the field.

There are several ways to prevent or manage digestive problems. For this you require to avoid dietary habits and lifestyle which inflames or affects gastrointestinal tract or related symptoms. Lifestyle habits which you can work on is to quit smoking, cut down on alcohol or avoid use of it, eat healthy diet which has high fibre, exercise each week with proper care, avoid use of aspirin unless prescribed by doctor, avoid sulpha drugs and steroids unless prescribed by doctor, and cut down on acidic and high fat foods which affects your digestion.

By bringing change in such simple lifestyle you can prevent symptoms associated to digestive conditions and also manage them if diagnosed with any.