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Problems with the digestive system are the focus of a Consultant Internal Medicine Specialist in Gastroenterology Hepatology.
Gastroenterology is a field of medicine that studies the digestive system and any disease that affects the function of the esophagus, stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, liver, small intestine, colon and rectum.
Hepatology, meanwhile, studies health disorders of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas.
In Indonesia, Gastroenterology and Hepatology are one field to treat diseases in the organs mentioned above.
The education that must be taken to obtain the title of Internal Medicine Specialist Consultant Gastroenterology Hepatology (Sp.PD.KGEH), after graduating from general medicine, first undergoes the education of an Internal Medicine specialist.
Then continue the subspecialization of Gastroenterology Hepatology. To get the specialist degree, it takes about 5 to 6 years of education.
Diseases treated
Health conditions that are the focus of this Internal Medicine Specialist Consultant Gastroenterology Hepatology include problems in the process of digesting food, the process of absorbing nutrients to the process of removing digestive waste from the body.
Here are some medical conditions that are usually treated by Gastroenterology Hepatology doctors, including:
1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or increased stomach acid is characterized by the appearance of heartburn symptoms such as burning because stomach acid rises into the esophagus or esophagus.
2. Peptic ulcers or gastric ulcers
Peptic ulcers occur due to wounds that appear on the walls of the stomach, lower esophagus and upper part of the small intestine. The cause of peptic ulcers is inflammation caused by H.pylori bacteria and tissue erosion due to stomach acid.
3. Digestive tract tumors and cancers
Tumors and cancers can affect organs in the digestive tract such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, bladder, rectum and anus.
4. Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a collection of symptoms caused by irritation of the digestive tract such as pain, recurrent abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. This disease is recurrent and often occurs in women.
5. Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral inflammation and infection of the liver. Transmission is usually through blood with blood transfusions or the use of the same syringe. Symptoms include lack of appetite, weakness and jaundice.
6. Inflammation of the pancreas or pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas is a disease caused by enzymes from the digestive organs triggering a chemical reaction and attacking the pancreas to create inflammation in the organ. The danger if not treated immediately is that it can cause bleeding in the gland, tissue damage, infection, and pancreatic cysts and cancer.
7. Gallbladder disease or cholelithiasis
Gallbladder disease or cholelithiasis is a disease characterized by sudden abdominal pain due to the formation of stones in the gallbladder.
When should I consult a Consultant Internal Medicine Specialist in Gastroenterology Hepatology?
When diseases of the digestive system do not heal after being treated by a general practitioner, it is best to see an Internal Medicine Specialist Consultant in Gastroenterology Hepatology. Especially when symptoms such as the following appear:
- Abdominal pain that does not improve.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Recurrent nausea and vomiting.
- Heartburn or burning in the chest.
- Diarrhea.
- Jaundice.
- Phases with blood.
- Flatulence that does not improve.
- Reddish and brown urine.
- Legs to ankles swell.
Actions taken by an Internal Medicine Specialist Consultant in Gastroenterology Hepatology
The following are some of the medical actions taken by Internal Medicine Specialist Consultant Gastroenterology Hepatology in dealing with patient problems.
1. Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a medical procedure using an endoscope tool in the form of an elastic hose equipped with lights and a camera. The tool is then inserted from the mouth to the esophagus, stomach to the intestines to see the condition inside the organs of the digestive system.
2. Capsule endoscopy
Similar to endoscopy, capsule endoscopy uses a capsule instead of an endoscope. The advantage is that it can examine more clearly even to the small intestine that is not reached by an endoscope.
3. Colonoscopy
This is a medical procedure to examine the condition of the intestines with the aim of detecting polyps or cancer.
4. Enteroscopy
A medical procedure that may be performed when endoscopy and colonoscopy fail to find anything. An enteroscopy can reveal the cause of bleeding and sores caused by Crohn's disease.
Sigmoidoscopy aims to determine the cause of indigestion due to pain and bleeding.6.
6. Liver biopsy
A medical procedure to determine the cause of inflammation and fibrosis in the liver.
Thank you for reading this article. Have a nice day.
