Gastroenterology & Hepatology

What is Gastroenterology and hepatology?

Gastroenterology and hepatology are medical specialities that focus on the digestive system and its organs. The digestive system involves the whole gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines and the rectum), liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts.

People experiencing the following symptoms are advised to seek consultation with specialists in gastroenterology and hepatology:

• Heartburn/acid reflux symptoms
• Abdominal pain/bloating
• Indigestion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Swallowing problems
• Change in bowel habits (constipation/diarrhoea)
• Blood in the stools
• Unintentional weight loss
• Jaundice

The following are some of the medical conditions managed by gastroenterology and hepatology specialists:

1. Gastrointestinal diseases:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) / Hiatus hernia
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Helicobacter pylori infection
• Gastritis
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Gastroparesis
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Inflammatory bowel disease e.g. Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis
• Gastric and Colonic polyps
• Coeliac disease
• Diverticular disease
• Small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Haemorrhoids

2. Liver diseases:

• Viral hepatitis (Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E)
• Fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
• Liver cirrhosis
• Alcohol-related liver disease
• Autoimmune liver disease e.g., autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
• Benign liver tumours e.g., liver cysts, haemangiomas

3. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases:

• Gallstones
• Gallbladder polyps
• Pancreatitis
• Pancreatic cysts