What is Gastroenterology & Hepatology?

What is Gastroenterology and hepatology?

Gastroenterology and hepatology are medical specialities that focus on the digestive system and its organs. The digestive system involves the whole gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines and the rectum), liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts. People experiencing the following symptoms are advised to seek consultation with specialists in gastroenterology and hepatology:

Heartburn/acid reflux symptoms
Abdominal pain/bloating
Indigestion
Nausea or vomiting
Swallowing problems
Change in bowel habits (constipation/diarrhoea)
Blood in the stools
Unintentional weight loss
Jaundice

The following are some of the medical conditions managed by gastroenterology and hepatology specialists:

1. Gastrointestinal diseases:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) / Hiatus hernia
Peptic ulcer disease
Helicobacter pylori infection
Gastritis
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Gastroparesis
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Inflammatory bowel disease e.g. Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis
Gastric and Colonic polyps
Coeliac disease
Diverticular disease
Small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Haemorrhoids

2. Liver diseases:

Viral hepatitis (Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E)
Fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Liver cirrhosis
Alcohol-related liver disease
Autoimmune liver disease e.g., autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
Benign liver tumours e.g., liver cysts, haemangiomas