Gastroenterology is the study of the digestive system and related disorders, including cancer, ulcers, and organ damage. Gastroenterologists specialize in diagnosing and treating these issues, and the field has grown with modern technology. The health of the digestive system is crucial for overall well-being, and ancient remedies were used before modern medicine. Other specialties in gastroenterology include radiology, oncology, and hepatology.
Gastroenterology is the medical study of the digestive system and related disorders. Problems with the stomach, intestines, esophagus, colon and intestines are all part of the study of gastroenterology. A gastroenterology specialist has typically spent several years studying internal and digestive medicine in addition to their regular medical training. The study of digestive disorders has grown tremendously with the development of modern medical technology, allowing specialists in this field a multitude of diagnostic and therapeutic options that were completely unavailable before the 20th century.
The health of the digestive system is essential for the well-being of the whole body. A malfunctioning digestive system can inhibit proper nutrition, slow food processing, and lead to system toxicity due to improper handling of bodily wastes. Gastroenterology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of almost any digestive problem, including various forms of cancer, organ damage, ulcers, and digestive and wastewater systems that function abnormally.
Although gastroenterology has progressed tremendously since the early 20th century, the study and practice of this type of medicine has ancient roots. Before the development of internal scans and modern drug therapy, doctors treating digestive disorders used herbal compounds, diet regimens, and other ancient remedies intended to improve health. Studies were done by performing autopsies on animals and people to determine how organs functioned and what led to disease. Only in the 18th and 19th centuries, however, was technology advanced enough to allow for the study of living humans, thus enabling important insights into the field of gastroenterology. With the development of gastroscopes, instruments that allow visualization of the upper digestive tract, in the 19th century, the diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders began to develop by leaps and bounds.
People who have persistent stomach problems, such as chronic constipation or diarrhea, unexplained cramping or bloating, may be referred to a gastroenterologist for examination. Esophageal problems, such as difficulty swallowing or persistent acid reflux, may also be treated by this type of specialist. These doctors went beyond basic medical care to spend several years specializing, first in general internal medicine, then in the subspecialty of digestive problems. While most are unable to perform surgery, many are licensed to perform minor exploratory procedures.
There are other specialties that fall under the general category of gastroenterology, including radiology and oncology. These sub-specialties deal primarily with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer of the digestive tract, including forms of stomach, prostate and bowel disease. Hepatology, which is a related but separate discipline, involves the study of organs related to digestion such as the liver and gallbladder.
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