Im am 14 years old, and I have been having some really bad stomach problems for the last few weeks. My normal doctor wants to send me to a gastroenterologist at the St. Louis Children's Hosptial, and I hate to admit it, but Im kind of scared. What do gastroenterologists do? What should I expect during my first visit?
2007-02-19 00:34:25 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
I'm sorry you are having stomach problems, I can relate. Your first appt will be nothing to worry about. It will what they usually call a consultation. You will have to answer questions, tell him or her what is going on. Don't be scared. It will be harmless.
2007-02-19 00:42:52 · answer #1 · answered by The Queen Bee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gastroenterology is the study of the normal function and diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver. It involves a detailed understanding of the normal action (physiology) of the gastrointestinal organs including the movement of material through the stomach and intestine (motility), the digestion and absorption of nutrients into the body, removal of waste from the system, and the function of the liver as a digestive organ. It includes common and important conditions such as colon polyps and cancer, hepatitis, gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn), peptic
ulcer disease, colitis, gallbladder and biliary tract disease,
nutritional problems, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and
pancreatitis. In essence, all normal activity and disease of
the digestive organs is part of the study of Gastroenterology. Your first visit will allow your gastroenterologist to evaluate your symptoms. As part of that consultation, your gastroenterologist may request additional tests or procedures such as blood tests or endoscopic examinations for diagnosis or treatment. A treatment plan may also be prescribed along with a follow-up plan of care. Sometimes, follow-up may be through your primary care physician.
2007-02-21 04:51:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went to one because I has a lot of stomach pain. They ended up having to stick a tube up my nose and into my stomach with a camera attached at the end so that they could see what was wrong. They found out I had acid reflux disease and they gave me medicine. My stomach doesn't hurt anymore now since I went to the gastroenterologist.
2007-02-19 00:41:44 · answer #3 · answered by Emily C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had 12 endoscopic procedures. If that is something they decide to do they give you medicine before the procedure that makes it where you are kind of out of it but you can still follow directions. I do not remember any of my procedures, yet I could follow directions. The procedure is really very simple and not invasive, so you should be just fine. Good Luck with finding out what the problem is.
2007-02-19 10:53:37 · answer #4 · answered by jhaniese h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They just specialize in Digestive Problems - they are to your digestive system what a cardiologist is to a heart. Check out the following link on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroenterology
I wouldn't worry about the initial visit. They might want to give you an upper endoscopy. This is a procedure that takes about 30 minutes and you get to go home right after it. In all, there is nothing to worry about.
2007-02-19 00:44:06 · answer #5 · answered by poor_broke_investor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I don't like to scare little children. I love sweet innocent angle face of children very much. I always love to play with them. Its a very good stress relief. I always spend time either with friends or children. That's why I don't like to scare them.
2016-05-24 08:05:07 · answer #6 · answered by MaryJane 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋