Gastroinernoligist. (if i spelled that correctly)?

Question

I went to see one today, and I found out I have liver problems and need to get a scope. Anyone else get one? If so, please share your experiance

I'm getting an endoscopy, Share experiances please :)

They aren't doing a scope for liver problems. I have had other problems but the Gastro said that I did have them after seeing my CT scans

Answer 1

Despite what the nurse above thinks, you have probably been seeing the correct doctor. Hepatology, the study of the liver, is a subspecialty of gastroenterology, which is the specialty involved in management of digestive tract problems. Gastroenterologists are board certified doctors of internal medicine (internists) who are additionally board certified in gastroenterology. Hepatology is often an additional focus that gastroenterologists may concentrate on.

Although I have never undergone an upper endoscopy (or a lower one for that matter) I do these procedures routinely. I am a general surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery.

These procedures are usually quite well tolerated. They are performed under what is termed "conscious sedation". Conscious sedation is the combined use of medicines which both induce deep drowsiness and blunt pain sensation. I use a combination of versed, a rapid acting sedative, and fentanyl, a rapid acting short lasting (very powerful) narcotic.

Conscious sedation is used to render a patient sleepy enough that they do not object to the procedure, but awake enough that they do their own breathing, and awake enough that with some coaxing, they can comply with requests such as "roll to your other side!"

Versed is a particularly good agent to use for conscious sedation because it not only makes people sleepy, but it robs them of the ability to lay down memory. Even if a patient is arousable enough to occassionally open their eyes during the procedure, they typically don't remember a thing afterward!

For people who have a substantial history of alcohol intake or intravenous drug use, conscious sedation can be a real problem. These patients tend to require significantly higher doses of medication to acheive the same effect. When people metabolize these medications rapidly, many care providers (myself included!) are uncomfortable raising the dosing too high. The concern is that the effects may not be occuring but the side effects may occur anyhow!

One of the most important side effects of these kinds of medications involves respiratory depression. Any patient undergoing a procedure under conscious sedation requires not only continuous cardiovascular monitoring, but continuous pulse-oximetery as well.

The heart rate/rhythm requires continuous observation as well as the blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygen saturation in order for procedures under conscious sedation to be performed safely.

Answer 2

Gastrointerologist, well dear I'm a Registered Nurse of 23 years and if you went to a Gastrointerologist for a liver problem, that is a problem. A Gastrointerologist specializes in the Gastric Intestinal tract and is not the choice of a physician for someone who has liver problems. This would need to be checked out by an internist. A scope goes from mouth to rectum. It does not even visualize a liver. I would check with my primary care physician prior to having the procedure.

Answer 3

Yes. I have a thing where everything I spell has to be correct, if not I feel compelled to look it up. People who spell correctly on a daily basis? I think around 15% Most Americans are rather lazy.

Answer 4

Liver problems are usually from improper diet and lack of exercise and digestion. Stay away from fried foods, fatty foods, alcohol and if you smoke stop. Limit sugar and caffeine

Drink lots of organic apple juice, it literally cleanses the liver and drink pure water (at least 8 glasses per day).

I suggest you read "Gut Solutions" a book on the digestive system, including the liver.

Answer 5

I used to work for one
What kind of scope are you getting

Answer 6

Gastroenterologist.
I have had an endoscopy. There was nothing to it. They gave me good drugs and I don't remember a thing.

Answer 7

In medical expertise,there are many kinds of technical words related.So for this one,you should call Gastro intestinologist.

Answer 8

Endoscopy is really not a problem. I had one done and it didn't bother or hurt me at all.

Answer 9

they hurt your poor eensy weency throat :(