#qld gastroenterology

[cubspaediatricdietetics]

Why You Should See a Gastroenterology Specialist

A gastroenterology specialist can help you with conditions like unexplained weight loss and blood in the stool. They have received extensive, hands-on training in endoscopy -- a nonsurgical way to examine the digestive tract.

They've also been trained to perform advanced procedures with endoscopes, such as polypectomy and esophageal and intestinal dilation (stretching narrowed areas). They can even diagnose and treat liver cancer.

Evaluation

Gastroenterology is the study of the normal and diseased action of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, gallbladder and pancreas. It involves detailed understanding of the movement of food and water through these organs, as well as their structure, function and role in digestive diseases such as ulcers, inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and cancer.

Gastroenteologists receive extensive specialized training in endoscopy, which is the use of narrow flexible tubes with built-in video cameras to view internal structures. They also undergo rigorous training in interpreting the results of these tests and learning how to conduct them safely and effectively.

If you are over 50, your gastroenterologist will most likely recommend a screening colonoscopy to identify early signs of colorectal cancer. They can also diagnose and treat other conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, such as diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux and peptic ulcers. They are also trained to perform a variety of invasive procedures, such as sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies.

Diagnosis

If your primary care doctor notices a problem with the lining of your digestive tract or your stomach, colon or liver, they’ll likely recommend you see a gastroenterology specialist for a more detailed assessment. Gastroenterologists are experts in how your body breaks down food, absorbs nutrients and eliminates waste. They’re also knowledgeable about symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, heartburn and trouble swallowing.

A gastroenterology specialist will likely perform a state-of-the-art procedure called an endoscopy. It lets your doctor view your upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach and the first part of your small intestine) via video from a thin tube that goes down your throat while you’re under sedation.

A gastroenterologist will likely also perform a sigmoidoscopy, which examines the lining of your lower gastrointestinal tract and the bottom section of your colon, or rectum. It helps detect ulcers, bleeding or early signs of cancer that won’t appear on X-rays.

Treatment

Gastroenterologists are experts in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders affecting your digestive tract. That includes the mouth and salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, gallbladder, pancreas and bile ducts. They have 5-6 years of specialized education after medical school and are the doctors you would see for a screening colonoscopy or other tests that look inside the digestive tract.

They can treat symptoms such as acid reflux, abdominal pain and nausea. They also can perform endoscopic surveillance procedures such as sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies that examine the lower GI tract. They also have directed training in endoscopic biliary examination (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or ERCP), removal of tumors without surgery (endoscopic mucosal resection or EMR) and placement of internal drainage tubes (stents).

If you find blood on your toilet paper or while using the restroom, that could be a sign of hemorrhoids. Your gastroenterologist may prescribe medications to ease the pain or recommend more extensive treatments like hemorrhoid banding.

Prevention

If you suffer from frequent heartburn, a gastroenterology specialist may recommend avoiding foods that are known to cause this condition. He or she can also test for gluten sensitivity, which affects a small number of people, and celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the body can’t properly digest gluten.

Queensland gastroenterology receive special training in the use of endoscopes, narrow flexible tubes with built-in cameras, to visualize inside the digestive tract. They are also trained to perform advanced procedures such as removing gallstones without surgery and diagnosing and treating liver tumors.

The specialized training of a gastroenterology specialist makes him or her a valuable member of the healthcare team. He or she can help prevent, diagnose and treat conditions of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. Those who are board certified in this field earn the suffix FACG (Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology). This honor is only granted to physicians who have achieved high levels of expertise in their specialty.

[cubspaediatricdietetics]

Gastroenterology Specialists | cubspaediatricdietetics.au

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that treats digestive disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, liver and biliary disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

We investigated the proportion of new patients and follow-up presentations at three public hospital outpatient gastroenterology clinics in Australia. Facility 1 is a tertiary referral centre, facility 2 has specialised IBS, motility, hepatology and transplant hepatology services whereas centre 3 is a public gastroenterology clinic.

Dr Radford-Smith

Dr Radford-Smith is an Australian gastroenterologist who specializes in gut health, inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal neoplasia. He is also an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland and an Honorary Group Leader at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

He is a keen advocate for the utilisation of clinical data in optimising patient care and outcomes. He is also a passionate researcher and has published over 170 articles in the field of gastroenterology.

He leads a team of researchers who have designed a simple clinical tool to help Gastroenterologists triage patients referred for a colonoscopy. They are also developing a novel approach to understanding the role of the microbiome in the development of IBD.

Dr Luke Hourigan

Dr Luke Hourigan is an experienced gastroenterologist who practices privately at Greenslopes Private Hospital (associate of Queensland Gastroenterology). He has a specialist interest in the management of Barrett's oesophagus and large colonic polyps.

He is a member of the Australian Gastroenterology Endoscopic Association and serves on the education committee of the World Endoscopy Organization. He is also an active participant in the NETI National Colonoscopy Training Initiative.

A/Professor Hourigan is a past President of the Gastroenterology Society of Queensland and an Honorary Clinical Professor at the University of Queensland. He has been involved in gastrointestinal endoscopy training and research for many years and has a particular interest in the use of advanced endoscopic techniques to manage premalignant and malignant lesions.

He has extensive experience in the diagnosis, management and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders including inflammatory bowel disease and hepatitis. He is a leading authority in the field of endoscopic management of diseases of the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and pancreas.

Dr Michael Payne

Dr Michael Payne is a gastroenterologist at queensland gastroenterology who treats digestive problems such as acid reflux, stomach pain, constipation, Crohn’s disease and ulcers. He also offers cancer treatment using radiation therapy, which can reduce the number of treatments required and improve quality of life for patients with advanced cancers.

Dr Payne completed his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at Queens University before completing a Master’s degree in Sports Medicine. He then went on to complete a medical degree and residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Ottawa, followed by a clinical fellowship in Australia.

As a radiation oncologist, Dr Payne treats patients with cancer of all types and works to ensure that they receive the best possible care and are treated as individuals. He believes that diet, lifestyle and attitude can play a role in determining the success of cancer treatment. As a result, he makes sure that each patient understands what to expect during treatment and helps them make informed decisions about their health.

Dr Peter MacDonald

Dr Peter MacDonald is a g gastroenterology specialist at queensland gastroenterology who is interested in gastrointestinal surgery, including coloproctology. He is also a medical writer and has published several books. He is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and the London Gastroenterological Society.

He is a former President of the International Association for the Study of the Liver and a Founding Editor of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He was also the first recipient of the GESA Distinguished Research Prize.

Australian Hepatology has been blessed with a number of leading hepatic pathologists who have made significant contributions and achieved world recognition. These include the late Pauline Hall (alcoholic liver disease),63 Andrew Clouston (steatohepatitis and the ductular reaction referred to above) and Prithi Bhathal who has contributed greatly in the field of portal hypertension and cirrhosis.