What is gastroenterology?
Gastroenterology is the field of medicine focused on the diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the digestive system. The digestive system is a system of organs working to convert food into energy needed by your body – starting from the mouth to the anus and includes the throat, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, gall bladder, liver, colon and rectum.
A gastroenterologist is a doctor who is trained in diagnosing and treating clinical conditions of the digestive system. Gastroenterologists specialise in maintaining or restoring your digestive health.
Common gastrointestinal disorders
Common gastrointestinal disorders that affect Singaporeans include:
- Gastritis
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Constipation
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Inflammatory bowel disease
The early symptoms of a gastrointestinal disorder include bloating, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, and irregular bowel movement. These symptoms are often overlooked since they are usually mild or because they come and go. However, early identification and treatment of digestive problems is essential for good gut care so that you can receive proper nutrition and continue enjoying the food you eat.
Gleneagles Hospital gastroenterology
Gleneagles Hospital has a team of 21 experienced gastroenterologists who can treat simple to complex cases such as chronic liver conditions, hepatitis, malabsorption and even various cancer conditions of the digestive system. We also have a multi-disciplinary team of specialists such as oncologists, transplant surgeons, general surgeons and intensive care specialists, and experienced nurses, allied health professionals and dietitians to provide comprehensive care for any of your digestive health concerns.
The endoscopy centre at Gleneagles Hospital is a newly refurbished one-stop centre that provides a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. Endoscopy is a procedure that allows gastroenterologists to visualise your digestive tract to better assess your gastrointestinal condition. Some of the procedures we offer in our endoscopy centre include gastroscopy, capsule endoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic submucosal dissection and variceal banding.