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Gastroenterology is the medical specialty that seeks to prevent, diagnose, and treat conditions relating to the digestive tract involving organs such as gallbladder, pancreas, liver, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and the liver
Gastroenterologists treat diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract such as abdominal pain, indigestion, food poisoning, diarrhoea, lactose intolerance, appendicitis, jaundice, gallstones, hepatitis, ulcers, haemorrhoids, and more.
What are the common gastroenterological conditions and their symptoms?
Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer or rectal cancer, is a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. Cancer occurs when cells within the body begin to grow rapidly and out of control.
The majority of colon cancers begin as small, pre-cancerous polyps. While patients are often asymptomatic at this stage, with time, these polyps can progress to cancer. The prognosis will depend on the size and extent of the cancer. Early-stage colon cancer may not be symptomatic.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer may include:
Diverticula are small pockets in the lining of the intestine that develop with age. If the diverticula become infected, the condition is called diverticulitis. Lack of dietary fibre increases the risk of developing diverticulitis.
Symptoms include:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the frequent occurrence of acid reflux, whereby stomach acid travels up towards the throat due to an abnormally relaxed ring of muscles called the lower oesophageal sphincter, which connects the lower end of the oesophagus to the stomach.
Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:
GERD symptoms may be alleviated by:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is mainly caused by two conditions: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of the large intestine and rectum and causes chronic inflammation and ulcers (sores) to form.
Unlike ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract though it often occurs at the end of the small bowel (the ileum). Crohn’s disease can also affect the entire bowel wall, with affected areas interspersed between healthy colon.
IBD may be associated with:
Symptoms include:
Haemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins in your anus and lower rectum. They typically occur from straining during bowel movements. Haemorrhoids are very common.
Symptoms may include:
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine. It is a constellation of symptoms including:
Celiac disease is a genetic, long-term digestive condition and an autoimmune disorder initiated by eating foods that contain gluten, which is a protein present in products made from wheat, rye, and barley like pasta, cakes, bread, and breakfast cereals.
Common celiac disease symptoms, which may be similar to other health conditions include:
Consult a gastroenterologist for an accurate diagnosis.
Many gastrointestinal conditions have similar symptoms. A proper diagnosis first involves the gastroenterologist asking the patient about their medical and family history followed by a physical examination.
Your doctor may also request additional lab tests and imaging examinations such as those listed below:
Blood tests such as blood counts, liver function test, and pancreatic enzyme test can help diagnose conditions such as bacterial or parasitic infection, celiac disease, lactose intolerance or cause of diarrhoea. Blood tests may also exclude other serious diseases.
Stool analysis used in tests such as faecal occult blood tests used for colorectal cancer screening can help assess the intestinal health by analysing changes in colour, consistency, pH as well as the presence of mucus, blood, white blood cells, bile, fat, and sugars. Understanding the profile can help determine the presence of indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, malabsorption, and infection.
An endoscopy allows the close examination of the stomach or digestive tract using an instrument that looks like a long tube with a camera at the end called an endoscope. Biopsies may also be taken during an endoscopy to be examined under a microscope to help detect cancer cells.
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure performed to detect polyps and other abnormal growths. A camera embedded at the end of a flexible tube is passed through the anus, allowing for examination of the large bowel and part of the small bowel.
An abdominal ultrasound uses sound waves to produce dynamic images of organs such as the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans provide a cross-sectional view of the abdominal organs which helps the doctors visualise the internal structures of the body.
The goal is to help you get back to your daily life and activities. The selection of treatment options such as those listed below by your medical team will largely depend on the individual's condition and health history.
Surgery to remove the cancer is typically the main treatment method for colorectal cancer. Your doctor may also choose to use chemotherapy and radiation therapy before and/or after surgery.
Your doctor may prescribe drugs that neutralise, reduce, and block stomach acid production.
If surgery is required, procedures such as those below may be offered:
Fundoplication (the top of your stomach is wrapped around the lower oesophageal sphincter, to tighten the muscle and prevent reflux)
Insertion of the LINX device (a string of magnetic beads is wrapped around the top of the stomach, allowing the magnetism to draw the junction close but enable food to flow through)
Your doctor will treat the inflammation that triggers your symptoms using drugs to reduce inflammation, suppress the immune system that causes inflammation and antibiotic to treat any infection. Depending on your condition, pain relief and anti-diarrhoea medication may also be given.
As bowel rest can reduce inflammation, nutrition through a feeding tube or nutrients injected into a vein may be prescribed in very severe cases.
Surgery to remove diseased portions of the intestines may sometimes be necessary in severe cases.
There are four stages of haemorrhoid development. For stage 1 and stage 2 haemorrhoids, lifestyle modification and medical treatment may be sufficient. Treatment includes eating high fibre foods, using topical treatments, soaking in warm water, and keeping the anal area clean. Haemorrhoid symptoms often go away within a week.
For persistent bleeding or painful haemorrhoids, your doctor could undertake a rubber band ligation where the doctor places one or two small bands around the base of a haemorrhoid to cut off its circulation. Alternatives include an injection (sclerotherapy) or coagulation through infrared or laser, to reduce the size of the haemorrhoid.
If surgery is required, two options include:
Diverticulitis is treated using diet changes, antibiotics, and possibly surgery.
Mild diverticulitis infection may be treated with rest, liquid diet, antibiotics, and stool softeners.
If the infection is severe, you may be given antibiotics, nutrition given through the vein and surgery may sometimes be necessary.
Your doctor may suggest changes in your diet, removing foods that cause bloating such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, gluten and certain carbohydrates such as fructose, fructans, and lactose.
Depending on your symptoms, fibre supplements, laxative and anti-diarrheal medication may also be prescribed.
Your doctor could also suggest prescription-only drugs to:
If you are living with a gastrointestinal condition, our skilled and dedicated staff can provide the latest treatments to help you get back to your daily activities and improve the quality of your life.
Our gastrointestinal tract serves many essential roles in sustaining our overall health and wellness, beginning with our food and water. The digestive process provides the building blocks we need to live, to function, and to stay healthy.
Here are just a few important factors in maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal system:
Gastroenterologists are physicians who specialise in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They are also trained to treat diseases related to the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. Gastroenterologists work primarily in hospital and clinic settings.
You may want to see a Gastroenterology Specialist if:
You may also want to have regular screenings with a Gastroenterologist if you are over 50 years old for preventive care of colorectal cancer. This is especially so if you have a family history of this disease.
If you have any of these lifestyle risk factors, it may contribute to an increased risk of colorectal cancer:
If you have the following risk factors for hepatological conditions, you should also see a Hepatologist for screening and treatment.
If you or your loved ones have any gastrointestinal health concerns, the multidisciplinary team of the best gastroenterologists in Malaysia are available for consultations at Pantai Hospitals to deal with any gastrointestinal diseases.
At Pantai Hospitals, we can provide the necessary diagnostic and screening services in a modern and comfortable environment. Your test results will be reviewed by a doctor who can explain and offer treatment options based on your condition, lifestyle, and risk factors.
*Information on this page does not represent a complete list of all the diagnostic procedures and treatments that Pantai Hospitals provide. The information provided is for educational reference only and should not be seen as medical advice.
Please consult a qualified healthcare specialist at the Pantai Hospital nearest to you for an accurate diagnosis before starting on any treatment.
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