Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology (Greek γαστήρ, gaster, " stomach "; ἒντερον, enteron, " intestine ") is a branch of internal medicine. A specialist in gastroenterology doctor called a gastroenterologist.
Gastroenterology deals with diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and associated with this tract organs liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Priorities within the subject area are the endoscopy, hepatology and gastroenterology oncology. Important gastroenterological diseases, for example, ulcer disease ( gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer ), tumors of the digestive tract ( colon cancer ), liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis, intestinal diseases such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A large group of diseases includes the so-called functional disorders (functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome).
Methods
Diagnostic and therapeutic measures in gastroenterological diseases are often endoscopically, ie in the form of a stomach or colonoscopy performed. These smaller operations such as removal of tumors, ligation of bleeding vessels or insertion of stents or prostheses for reopening closed parts of the intestine can be made. Agent may ERCP the biliary or pancreatic duct be explored and treated if necessary.
Currently, endoscopy is working on the expansion. Thus, large fluid collections in the pancreas can be relieved by an artificially created hole in the stomach wall. So-called NOTES (natural orifice endoscopic surgery translumenal ) methods attempt surgical operations such as gall bladder removal, pancreas operations, etc. by artificially created holes in the stomach, intestine or perform vagina. Driving force behind this evolution is the desire of some scars after complete freedom after surgery, but also difficult to be carried out surgical operations ( pancreas, mediastinum ) could thus be significantly lighter and more elegant feasible. An important pillar of gastroenterology is the ultrasound ( sonography). The malfunction occasionally require so-called functional tests as the pressure measurement ( manometry ) or measurements of the passage time of the stomach, small intestine or large intestine.
Training
In Germany, the training includes a six-year training and testing to become a specialist in internal medicine and so far an additional two years of training in gastroenterology facilities with subsequent testing. Since 2006, new training regulations are put in place in most states, which provide a three-year training in internal medicine and a further three years of training in gastroenterology and an exam. Information is available from state medical boards.