Gastroenterologists focus on digestive diseases. Their specialty concentrates on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Most often, the family doctor is the first person seen, but as gastrointestinal problems are often outside their range of practice, referral to a gastroenterologist is required.

The area of gastroenterology is extremely intricate as our digestive system affects our internal organs. These organs are influenced by our diet and what they are exposed to daily. An unhealthy digestive system will cause our bodies to break down. This is why it is so important to see a specialist at the first sign that something may not be quite right.

A person complaining of abdominal pain, bleeding from the rectum or changes in their bowel habits are wise to seek the guidance and treatment a gastroenterologist can provide. There are many other digestive disorders one can suffer from including the vomiting of blood, pain in the chest that worsens after eating, constipation, diarrhea, and unexplained loss of appetite and weight loss.

A gastroenterologist does not perform surgery. Instead, his field is limited to an initial diagnosis and medical treatment. They will do procedures such as biopsies and endoscopic exams and the interpreting of the results. From there, operations are performed by surgeons, with close follow-up with the gastroenterologist before and after surgery and for follow-up care and treatment pertinent to the patient's specific digestive disorder. A healthy digestive system means the body is working as it should to break down food properly and turn it into energy. Proper nutrition is critical to this process.

Some tips to follow include eating smaller meals more frequently and taking time when eating. By doing this, the body feels fuller faster and prevents system overload. Foods rich in fiber are vital. These foods include raw vegetables, whole grains, fruits, beans and nuts. Staying away from fatty, fried foods is important. Watch caloric intake from liquids loaded with sugar such as juice and soda. Exercise and maintain a proper, healthy body weight.

A key point to remember is our bodies have a way of letting us know things are not as they should be. If a person is experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, they must visit their regular family doctor. From there, the referral to a gastroenterologist may be necessary and critical to get these issues diagnosed and treated properly. This is precisely why gastroenterologists are so important to see if suggested to do so.