Best Gastroenterologists Near Me in Atlanta, GA | WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a GI doctor and a gastroenterologist? ›

Gastrointestinal refers to the digestive organs as a whole. A gastroenterologist, on the other hand, is a doctor who specializes in the subject of gastrointestinal. A gastroenterologist is uniquely qualified to diagnose GI tract disorders and perform operations such as a lower GI endoscopy.

Gastroenterologists are stomach doctors and they use a variety of tests to diagnose gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and conditions, including minimally invasive ways to look at the inside of your esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.

A gastroenterologist may begin by physically examining you. They may feel and listen to your abdominal organs from the outside, or insert a finger into your rectum. They may order follow-up tests, such as blood tests, poop tests or imaging tests like GI X-ray exams that take pictures of your organs from the outside.

"Any time you see blood in your stool or have rectal bleeding that is accompanied by changes in your bowel habits or to the color or consistency of your stool, it's critical that you see a gastroenterologist," warns Dr. Glassner.

What is Gastroenterology? Gastroenterology is the study of the normal function and diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver.

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion/dyspepsia, bloating and constipation are common in the community. However, these symptoms may be misinterpreted and their impact and significance misunderstood both by health care providers and patients.

Blood tests can show levels of specific substances in the blood. Digestive issues for which blood tests support a diagnosis include Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), stomach ulcers, stomach cancer and food allergies.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD or upper endoscopy).

An EGD allows the healthcare provider to directly visualize the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum with an endoscope. This scope is guided into the mouth and throat and then into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Standard imaging tests for gastric conditions include upper gastrointestinal series (UGI), ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans and X-rays. For an even clearer picture of the gastrointestinal tract, a barium swallow or barium enema may be used in conjunction with an X-ray.

What are the most common things found in endoscopy? ›

Options range from no anesthesia or sedation at all to general anesthesia, but for upper endoscopies, moderate or deep sedation is most common. The anesthetics that may be used to minimize pain and discomfort and reduce anxiety include propofol, benzodiazepines, and opioids. No sedation.

A gastroenterologist is a medical practitioner that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive system illnesses and disorders. This comprises the gallbladder, liver, pancreas, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Practically, there is no difference between the two specialists since one (gastrologist) is only a commonly adapted word of a gastroenterologist.

Avoiding food helps in achieving better results and minimizing complications during procedures. This fasting period is usually 8 hours and can vary based on your doctor's advice. Otherwise, if it's a routine checkup or consultation, there are usually no restrictions, and you can eat and drink before the appointment.

Gastroenterologists, sometimes called "gastros" for short, are trained to diagnose and treat problems in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract and liver. These doctors also do routine procedures such as colonoscopies, which look at the inside of your colon. They get 5-6 years of specialized education after medical school.

Gastrointestinal describes the digestive organs as a full. Whereas gastroenterologist, is that the doctor specializing within the field of gastroenterology. A gastroenterologist has the distinctive qualifications to properly determine problems within the GI tract, and conduct procedures such as a lower GI endoscopy.

Gastroenterology is a branch of medicine that addresses issues of the digestive tract and liver. It is a subspecialty of Internal Medicine, so a gastroenterologist completes the same training as an internist before pursuing additional fellowship training.

Whether you have short-term or long-term weight loss goals, our team of gastroenterologists will work with you to find your healthy weight, achieve it and maintain it though health and lifestyle adjustments.