![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/04ba0b2450a4460bad90b90bc9908adf.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1280,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/04ba0b2450a4460bad90b90bc9908adf.jpg)
Frequently Asked Questions
A gastroenterologist is tasked with studying, managing and treating disorders involving the gastrointestinal tract. They diagnose potential problems that stand in the way of your body’s ability to comfortably and easily digest food, move it through the body and get rid of waste.
What tests are usually conducted when consulting a gastroenterologist?
There are a number of tests that a gastroenterologist may recommend depending on your digestive concerns. Here are a few of the most common ones:
-
Colonoscopy (checks rectum, colon, and intestinal tract)
-
Upper GI endoscopy (checks esophagus and upper gastro system)
-
Flexible sigmoidoscopy (similar to a colonoscopy, but only examines a portion of the colon)
-
Endoscopic or abdominal ultrasound
-
Abdominal Angiogram
-
CT enterography
What treatments are generally administered post consultation?
If a problem is identified in the gastrointestinal tract or system, there are a number of possible solutions your GI doctor may explore:
-
Polyp removal (done with an endoscope)
-
Esophageal, colonic, duodenal or bile duct stent placement (allows the comfortable passage of bodily fluids, solids, and waste)
-
Cecostomy (clears bowels)
-
Surgical procedures (such as bowel surgery, appendectomy, colostomy, proctectomy, gastric bypass surgery, etc)
What is a gastroenterologist and what may I expect?