Gastroenterology is the specialty which investigates and treats disorders of the digestive system. It helps diagnose, treat, and prevent problems in the digestive system to process food and waste. This relates to your oesophagus, stomach, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreatic ducts, and liver. It also includes your small intestine, colon, and rectum.
You might be referred to a gastroenterologist for a wide range of symptoms. These include stomach or chest pain, or long-lasting changes to your bowel habits. It also covers blood coming out of your bottom or a diagnosis of bleeding in your gut. People with family members who have had digestive diseases may also be asked to see a gastroenterologist. It is also advised to ask your GP about visiting a Gastroenterologist to get screened for bowel and colorectal cancers from 45 years old.
There are several common illnesses related to the gut. These include Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, acid reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
What does a Gastroenterologist do?
When you are referred to a gastroenterologist, they will assess your symptoms and take your medical history. This may include questions about the type of pain you are experiencing, changes in your bowel habits, or other concerns that you raise. Depending on the suspected cause of your symptoms, you may have a variety of tests and procedures to diagnose, manage or treat your condition.
Our Gastroenterology team
The three Blackrock Health hospitals share a history of excellence in the field of Gastroenterology. Our team of experts is highly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of digestive disorders. We can provide dietary education, advice, and preventative actions to help improve your gut health. This can include recommendations for a balanced diet, avoiding trigger foods, and making lifestyle changes to prevent gut issues. By providing you with this guidance, Blackrock Health gastroenterologists and clinical dietitians can help you manage current symptoms and prevent future problems.
Our expert team includes:
Endoscopists
Gastroenterologists
Diagnosis
We have also invested in state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging equipment. This allows our team to perform the latest tests and procedures to provide you with fast, accurate and actionable diagnoses. We are committed to providing compassionate and personalised care, and to ensure you get the best possible treatment. Whether you are experiencing a minor digestive problem or a more complex issue, we are here to help. Our goal is to work with you on a tailored plan to help you achieve optimal digestive health.
Gastroenterology at Blackrock Health
At Blackrock Health, our three hospitals each offer expert and experienced gastroenterology teams. They specialise in the management of all gastrointestinal diseases including patients with the following issues:
Coeliac Disease
Crohn's Disease
Gallbladder Diseases and Gallstones
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Liver Diseases
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcers
What to expect during your gastroenterology appointment
If your doctor refers you to one of our Blackrock Health gastroenterology teams, we will look at your symptoms and medical history. We may ask you questions about the pain you are feeling, changes in your toilet routine, or any other worries you have. We may then suggest a few tests and procedures to diagnose the problem, depending on what we think is causing your digestive issues. These tests could be things like a physical examination, blood tests, endoscopy day case procedures, or imaging tests like MRI or CT scans.
Some specific gastroenterology tests are explained below.
Colonoscopy
We can also use a similar kind of flexible tool to look in your rectum and large intestine - with a test called a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor looks inside your large intestine (colon). This is done by inserting a long, flexible tube with a camera into the rectum. It is used to look for signs of diseases or to check for changes in the lining of the colon. A colonoscopy should be carried out if you have symptoms that suggest there may be something wrong with your intestines. These include bloody stools, persistent abdominal pain, and persistent changes in bowel habits. It can also be done to screen for cancer or other conditions like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. This test can both identify and remove polyps in the same procedure. A biopsy will then be sent to the pathology lab to determine if these polyps are benign or need further treatment.
Endoscopy
An endoscopy is another diagnostic test for a range of gastrointestinal issues. It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end down your throat and into your digestive tract. This allows doctors to get a closer look at what is going on in your gut and take tissue samples if needed.
Endoscopic procedures can be used to diagnose or treat several problems. This includes inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, bleeding in the digestive tract or growths in the stomach. It can also check for gastroesophageal reflux disease or oesophageal structure. This is the narrowing of the oesophageal sphincter, which can make it hard to swallow.
Urea Breath Test
The Urea Breath Test checks for bacterial infections in the gut without using surgery. Most of the time, it is used to see if someone has an infection called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). During the test, doctors take a bit of your breath and check for a chemical called urea. If you have H. pylori, the bacteria break the urea down in your stomach and gut. The test is quick and easy, and you can get the results in a few minutes.
If doctors think that someone has an H. pylori infection or other bacterial cause of tummy problems like pain or bleeding, they might suggest the Urea Breath Test. They might also suggest it if you have a family history of gut diseases and have symptoms like bloating, heartburn, or indigestion.
Treatment, Management or Surgery
If our Gastroenterology team thinks you have a manageable problem with your gut, they may suggest some changes to your lifestyle. This can include changes in your diet or exercise habits. They may also give you some medicine to help with the symptoms. For example, they could prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for acid reflux or antidiarrheals for IBS.
Sometimes, the treatment for your gut problems might be more complicated. If you have an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), you may need to consider surgery to remove the damaged part of your intestine. Or, if you have an oesophageal stricture, you may be recommended surgery to help enlarge your throat to stop food from getting stuck.
Gut health is an important part of overall health, yet it can often be overlooked. If you are feeling bloated and sluggish or finding it hard to digest food. It may be possible that your gut health is out of balance.
Our gut health team at Blackrock Health Blackrock Clinic can direct and support dietary changes to help manage ongoing gut symptoms, such as:
Abdominal pain
Altered bowel habits
Bloating
Gas/wind
Nausea
Reflux
Follow this link to find out more about this service: Gut Health Clinic
Accessing our gastroenterology services
You can access Blackrock Health gastroenterology services easily with a referral from your GP and can then expect world-class clinical care and comfort. Over 75% of our hospital rooms are single occupancy, which can help you make a quicker recovery in a safe environment. We aim to provide you with the best possible outcome, and to restore your quality of life.
Do I need a referral?
You will need a referral letter from your GP or consultant before you make an appointment for most gastroenterology services. Please find our Request Appointment Form to submit a referral document. You can self-refer for the Gut Health Clinic.
Health insurance cover and payment information
Is this insured?
Not all services are covered by health insurance. To find out if you're covered, please check your health insurance before your visit. You can do this on our health insurance Cover Check, or by contacting your health insurer.
How do I pay?
If you do not have health insurance or your health plan does not cover the full cost, you will need to pay the balance due before your treatment or procedure. You may be able to claim back some fees on your insurance. To pay an excess not covered by your insurance or any other inpatient fees, please visit our payment page here. If you have any queries about paying for your care, please contact the finance team in your hospital.
