Jackson Hospital | Partners | Fall 2017

8 Jackson Hospital If you’re having problems with your digestive system, your pri- mary care doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist. A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in preventing, diagnosing and treating disorders of the gastrointesti- nal tract. That includes the esophagus, stomach, intestines, pancreas and liver. All of these organs have roles in aiding digestion. When you eat, food is broken down and nutrients are absorbed. It's how your body gets the fuel it needs to function. Problems with any one of your digestive organs can interfere with this process. Depending on the organ affected, you may have symptoms such as heartburn, trouble swallowing, bloat- ing, pain, nausea or diarrhea. Skilled specialists Specific conditions gastroenterologists address include: •  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) •  Hepatitis •  Stomach ulcers •  Celiac disease •  Diverticulitis •  Nutrition problems •  Inflammatory bowel disease •  Cirrhosis •  Pancreatitis •  Cancer Some of these conditions may also require surgery, which gastroenterolo- gists don’t perform. But they do work with surgeons to make sure patients receive the best possible care. And they may perform procedures that allow patients to avoid surgery. For example, there are nonsurgical techniques to re- move stones from the bile ducts in the liver and to treat certain tumors. Other procedures gastroenterologists commonly perform include: Colonoscopy. This involves a long, flexible tube with a light and camera. It allows doctors to directly visualize the large intestine—the colon—for signs of cancer and growths (polyps) that can be removed before they become cancerous. What is a gastroenterologist? Endoscopy. This procedure involves instruments similar to those used for colonoscopy. But they’re used to exam- ine and treat the esophagus, stomach and other organs. Rigorous training Gastroenterologists are highly edu- cated. Like other doctors, they com- plete four years of medical school. They then receive three years of training in internal medicine, which is followed by a three- to four-year fellowship in gas- troenterology. They may also become board certified. Sources: American College of Gastroenterology; American Gastroenterological Association COMMUNITY COMPREHENSIVE CARE JAVIER DE LA GARZA, MD The Jackson Clinic Gastroenterology 1722 Pine St., Suite 204 Montgomery 334-293-6825