A medical specialty that focuses on the study, diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This includes the body parts involved with our digestion of food and drinks, starting with esophagus and continuing down to the rectum.
Surgery may be used to remove a cancerous or non cancerous growth or damaged part of the body, such as the intestine. It may also be used to repair a problem like a hernia (a hole or weak spot in the wall of the abdomen). Minor surgical procedures are used to screen and diagnose problems of the digestive system.
Gastroenterologist have extensive training in evaluating, diagnosing, managing and treating the following symptoms and health conditions