The gastroenterologist, or gastro, is the doctor who specializes in treating diseases or changes of the entire gastrointestinal tract, which goes from the mouth to the anus. Thus, it is responsible for treating various diseases related to digestion, stomach pains, intestinal cramps, constipation and diarrhea, for example.
The gastroenterologist can work in clinics or in hospitals, can perform consultations, tests, prescribe medicines and give advice on what to do to maintain the health and functioning of the organs of the abdomen.
Diseases treated by the gastroenterologist
This medical specialty takes care of all the changes that occur in organs related to digestion, such as the esophagus, stomach, intestine, pancreas and liver.
Thus, the main diseases treated are:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease, which causes heartburn, pain and burning in the stomach region. Understand what gastroesophageal reflux is and how it is to be indeterminate.
- Gastritis and gastric ulcer, which cause burning and pain in the stomach, in addition to nausea and poor digestion;
- Stone in the gallbladder : it can cause pain and vomiting after eating. Learn more about what to do on the gallbladder stone. Learn how to identify and what to do in case of gall bladder.
- Hepatitis and cirrhosis, which are serious liver diseases that can cause yellow eyes, vomiting, bleeding and increased belly;
- Irritable bowel syndrome, a disease that causes abdominal discomfort and diarrhea;
- Pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, caused by stones or use of excessive alcoholic beverages, and causes pain in the belly;
- Inflammatory bowel disease, immunity-related disease, which causes diarrhea and bleeding in the gut;
- Lactose intolerance, type of food intolerance that causes diarrhea and abdominal bloating after ingesting milk and milk products. Learn how to know if it is lactose intolerance.
- Hemorrhoids, a disease that causes bleeding through the anus.
Thus, in the presence of signs and symptoms that indicate pain or altered digestion, it is possible to seek out the general practitioner who is able to take care of many of these diseases, or the gastroenterologist who is the specialist physician in this area.
Where to find
Through SUS, the consultation with a gastroenterologist is performed with the referral of the family doctor or general practitioner of the health clinic, if necessary to support the treatment of some of these diseases.
There are also many gastroenterologists who attend privately or health plan, and for this, you should contact the health plan through the phone or internet, so that the doctors available for care are shown.
