Gastroenterology is a specialty focused on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the digestive system (gastrointestinal or GI tract), including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, gallbladder, pancreas, liver, and bile ducts.
Gastroenterologists are specially trained to perform endoscopic procedures, which provide a detailed view inside your digestive system to see how things are working and what might be causing certain symptoms.
An endoscopy is performed using a long, thin, flexible tube with a tiny video camera on the end. Endoscopic procedures include:
You should tell your gastroenterologist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Routine colonoscopy screening begins at age 45. For individuals with a family history, screening may begin earlier. Talk to your primary care provider or gastroenterologist about your colorectal cancer risk and timeline for screening.
