Gastroenterology

"Gastroenterology" is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases arising from the pathologies of organs that make up the digestive system. It is a subspecialty of internal medicine.

Who is a Gastroenterologist? A Gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases within the scope of gastroenterology.

Organs Involved in Gastroenterology: The organs relevant to gastroenterology include, in sequence from the mouth, the esophagus, stomach, small intestines, large intestines, and anus. The organs supporting digestion, such as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, are also part of the gastroenterologist's area of expertise.

Diseases Addressed by Gastroenterology: Gastroenterology covers a wide range of diseases. Some of the major ones include:

• Gastroesophageal reflux and peptic ulcer disease
• Barrett's esophagus and achalasia
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Tumoral diseases of the stomach and esophagus
• Acute infectious and non-infectious diarrhea, as well as chronic diarrhea
• Celiac disease and other malabsorption syndromes due to absorption disorders in the small intestine
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with cycles of chronic diarrhea and constipation
• Polyps, masses, and tumoral diseases of the large intestine
• Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
• Gallbladder and biliary tract diseases such as cholelithiasis, choledocholithiasis, and acute cholecystitis
• Inflammatory, cystic, and tumoral diseases of the pancreas
• Cystic and tumoral diseases of the liver
• Liver damage due to infectious agents, hepatitis A, B, C, D, E viruses, drugs, and toxic substances
• Acute and chronic hepatitis
• Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis, and cirrhosis
• Acute and chronic nutritional problems

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures in Gastroenterology: Gastroenterology utilizes various interventional procedures for diagnosis and treatment. Some of these include:

• Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy: These procedures involve using a flexible tube inserted through the mouth to visualize the upper part of the stomach and the small intestine (gastroscopy) or through the anus to visualize the colon (colonoscopy). They allow for visual examination, biopsy sampling, and therapeutic interventions.
• Rectoscopy: A visual examination using a rectoscope to examine the rectum, particularly useful for diagnosing hemorrhoids and rectal masses.
• Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS): This procedure involves using an ultrasound probe within a flexible tube to examine diseases of the esophagus, stomach, bile ducts, and pancreas.
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): A procedure where a flexible tube is passed through the mouth into the small intestine to visualize and treat pathologies in the bile ducts.
• Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC): This involves inserting a thin needle under the skin into the bile ducts to visualize and treat pathologies.
• Liver Biopsy: A diagnostic procedure to determine various liver diseases, including cystic, tumoral, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
• Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG): A method used to provide nutrition to patients who cannot be fed orally for an extended period, involving the insertion of a feeding tube into the stomach through an endoscopic approach.

The Tekden Hospital Gastroenterology Department, along with expert gastroenterologists and other healthcare professionals, offers comprehensive services in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of various digestive system disorders.

Services Provided in the Tekden Hospital Gastroenterology Department:

Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases: Diagnosis and management of diseases such as gastric ulcers, reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and celiac disease. Treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Endoscopy and Colonoscopy: Endoscopic examination of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon. Polyp removal, biopsy for advanced diagnosis, and other interventional endoscopic procedures.

Helicobacter Pylori Treatment: Evaluation of conditions like gastric ulcers and gastritis to determine if they are related to Helicobacter pylori infection. Antibiotic treatment and Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Assessment of Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Diagnosis and treatment of upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Stopping bleeding through endoscopic interventions.

Early Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Cancers: Early diagnosis of gastrointestinal system cancers such as stomach, intestine, pancreas, and others.

Motility Disorders and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Evaluation of motor function disorders of the digestive system. Treatment of functional disorders like irritable bowel syndrome.

Liver Diseases: Evaluation of liver enzyme levels and treatment of liver diseases. Management of conditions like cirrhosis and fatty liver disease.

The Tekden Hospital Gastroenterology Department combines modern technology and expert knowledge to protect and treat patients' digestive system health. It aims to improve the quality of life of patients through individualized treatment plans for gastrointestinal disorders.