GASTROENTEROLOGY

A gastroenterologist is a doctor, who diagnoses and treats digestive tract organ illnesses. Digestive tract organs include the oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver, gallbladder with bile ducts, pancreas and peritoneum. Abdominal pain may signal problems with various internal organs, whose diagnosis can only be made by a specialist. Therefore it is necessary to consult a good gastroenterologist competent in diagnosing and treating digestive organs. Gastroenterology is the area of medicine that focuses on it.

The most typical complaints are indigestion, a prolonged stomach ache, protracted bloating, reflux (GERD) disease or burning sensation in the stomach, a feeling of heaviness in the chest, abdominal discomfort, irregular and painful bowel movements, prolonged constipation, persistent diarrhea, repeated vomiting of unknown origin, persistent nausea and unexpected weight loss.

The most common diseases are gastritis, ulcer disease, intestinal vascular disease, gallstones, incorrect emptying of the gallbladder, pancreatic inflammation, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric and duodenal inflammation, chronic intestinal diseases, inflammatory bowel disease of varying origins and digestive problems. Gastroenterology treats these diseases.

Gastroenterologists conduct various additional examinations to clarify the diagnosis. The required additional examinations are designated for each patient individually. Potential additional examinations include gastroscopy or upper endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography and endoscopic ultrasonography, USGliver, gallbladder, pancreas, capsule endoscopy, colonoscopy or lower endoscopy, defecography, x-ray examination, irrigoscopy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance.

If the patient has previously undergone examinations or tests related to digestive organ illnesses, they should bring the excerpts and conclusions with them, because this will help the doctor to make a diagnosis and keep track of the illness better. It is also necessary to collect information about medicines used and complaints, as well as eating habits. During the visit, the doctor-gastroenterologist will ask the patient about his or her complaints and symptoms of the illness. It is vital to describe the symptoms as accurately as possible so that your doctor can decide which additional tests are needed and arrange for appropriate treatment.

In terms of price, consultations depend on the chosen service and the additional services required. A visit to a specialist usually costs from EUR 35 to EUR 50. However, one should bear in mind that additional tests may also be required. For example, abdominal ultrasonography costs around EUR 45 and gastroscopy starts from EUR 105.

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