Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat They DoWhen to See OneHow They DiagnoseTreatments OfferedSpecialized TrainingAppointment TipsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What They Do
When to See One
How They Diagnose
Treatments Offered
Specialized Training
Appointment Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
A gastroenterologist, or GI doctor, is a healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treatingdiseases and conditions of the digestive tractand liver. This can include heartburn, stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), cirrhosis, and much more.
You may be referred to a gastroenterologist for a variety of reasons, such as if you have gastrointestinal symptoms that do not resolve with typical treatment or you are experiencing sudden, significant symptoms like severe abdominal pain or blood in your stool. You may also see one for routine colorectal cancer screening.
This article gives you an overview of who gastroenterologists are, what they do, and how they differ from primary care providers. It also discusses the symptoms and conditions for which you may need to see a GI doctor.
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What Gastroenterologists Do
GI doctors have an in-depth understanding of digestion, nutrient absorption,gastrointestinal motility(how and how quickly food passes through the body), and the function of the liver in digestion.
Their work involves everything from the evaluation and treatment of digestive disorders to the prevention of disease and the maintenance of good gastrointestinal health.
Practicing GI doctors specialize in issues related to the:
These include:
What Are Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders?
When Should You See a GI Doctor?
Primary care doctors can often treat short-lived gastrointestinal issues, such as occasional constipation or diarrhea. They may also be able to manage cases of heartburn or bloating.
You may, however, be referred to a gastroenterologist if:
Signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders that may prompt a visit to a GI doctor include:
Cancer Screening
People 45 and older should bescreened for colorectal cancerevery 10 years, according to the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). You may need screening sooner if you have certain risk factors, such as a family history.
Speak to your healthcare team about when you should get a colonoscopy.
Do You Need a Gastroenterologist?
How They Diagnose GI Issues
In addition to conducting a physical exam, gathering a symptom history, and reviewing your personal and family medical history, GI doctors use several diagnostic tools.
They are extensive and include lab tests, radiologic studies, directed imaging tests, and tissue studies.
Two examples you may already be familiar with include:
Others include:
Treatments They Offer
The treatments a gastroenterologist may recommend can range from medications and lifestyle changes to surgery and organ transplantation.
Lifestyle Modifications
In some cases, lifestyle changes may be all that is needed to improve a digestive issue. This can include:
These strategies may also be recommended along with medical treatment.
Medications
The list of drugs used to treat digestive disorders is extensive and may include antibiotics, antacids, antidiarrheals,proton pump inhibitors(PPIs),H2 blockers, promotility agents likeReglan(metoclopramide), and anti-inflammatory medications (including biologic therapies to treat inflammatory bowel disease).
Over-the-counter medications like stool softeners, laxatives, fiber supplements,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs), and hemorrhoid creams may also be recommended.
A gastroenterologist can prescribe any of these options, as needed.
Procedures
Training and Certification
If finding a new doctor seems like a chore or you are particularly happy with your primary care provider, you may wonder if seeing a gastroenterologist is necessary.
Remember that GI doctors have extra training in their area of expertise. They also see a wider variety and more instances of gastrointestinal disorders than general practitioners, which can help inform more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
In most cases, a primary care physician will be the one to refer you to a gastroenterologist—specifically because these specialists have training that they do not.
Providers who are not trained in gastroenterology are five times more likely to miss colorectal cancer during colonoscopy than GI doctors.
Education
Gastroenterologists must undergo training and certification in internal medicine and then pursue additional training gastroenterology, the study of the function and diseases of the digestive system.
Gastroenterologists typically undergo 14 years of education and practical training to achieve a board certification. This includes three years of fellowship training devoted specifically to the diagnosis, management, treatment, and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.
Subspecialties
Some gastroenterologists choose to specialize in specific disorders or organ symptom. One of the most common ishepatology, devoted to the study of the liver, which requires an additional one-year fellowship.
Others will partake in fellowships and training in subspecialties such as inflammatory bowel diseases, gastrointestinal motility, interventional endoscopy, and transplant hepatology, among others.
First Visit Appointment Tips
When you are referred to a gastroenterologist, it’s important to be clear about your GI symptoms, including bowel movements, gas, diarrhea, or hemorrhoid pain. This will help your provider to arrive at a diagnosis.
If you have chronic symptoms, keep a journal outlining the time, date, duration, and specifics of each event. Be sure to write down what you were doing at the time, including the foods you ate and whether you were stressed, lying down, or exercising vigorously.
Moreover, ask as many questions as you need to fully understand the procedures and what a test result may or may not mean. Examples include:
Keep in mind that the more accurately you describe your symptoms and communicate with your GI doctor, the sooner they will know where to start the investigation.
Before your appointment, check that the gastroenterologist accepts your insurance. If a test or procedure is recommended, check on your coverage and what your exactcopay or coinsurancecosts will be. Ask about less costly alternatives, discounts, and payment plans if the out-of-pocket costs are too high.
A Word From Verywell
Talk to your primary care physician about seeing a gastroenterologist if you feel you have symptoms that suggest a condition that a GI doctor should check for. Their expertise is key to arriving at a correct diagnosis and receiving the proper treatment.
5 Reasons You Might Need a Gastroenterologist
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).Digestive Diseases Statistics for the United States.Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, et al.ACG clinical guidelines: Colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021 Mar 1;116(3):458-479. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122.American College of Gastroenterology.Your Doctor has Ordered a Colonoscopy: What Questions Should You Ask?Additional ReadingNorthup, P.; Argo, C.; DeCross, A. et al.Procedural Competency of Gastroenterology Trainees: From Apprenticeship to Milestones.Gastroenterol.2013 Apr;144(4):677-80. DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.02.020.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).Digestive Diseases Statistics for the United States.Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, et al.ACG clinical guidelines: Colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021 Mar 1;116(3):458-479. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122.American College of Gastroenterology.Your Doctor has Ordered a Colonoscopy: What Questions Should You Ask?Additional ReadingNorthup, P.; Argo, C.; DeCross, A. et al.Procedural Competency of Gastroenterology Trainees: From Apprenticeship to Milestones.Gastroenterol.2013 Apr;144(4):677-80. DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.02.020.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).Digestive Diseases Statistics for the United States.Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, et al.ACG clinical guidelines: Colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021 Mar 1;116(3):458-479. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122.American College of Gastroenterology.Your Doctor has Ordered a Colonoscopy: What Questions Should You Ask?
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).Digestive Diseases Statistics for the United States.
Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, et al.ACG clinical guidelines: Colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021 Mar 1;116(3):458-479. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122.
American College of Gastroenterology.Your Doctor has Ordered a Colonoscopy: What Questions Should You Ask?
Northup, P.; Argo, C.; DeCross, A. et al.Procedural Competency of Gastroenterology Trainees: From Apprenticeship to Milestones.Gastroenterol.2013 Apr;144(4):677-80. DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.02.020.
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