What is Gastroenterology?
Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine dealing with the health of your digestive system and gastrointestinal tract (GUT). Although gastroenterologist are mainly known to treating stomach and gastrointestinal problems, they also treat and diagnose illness involving pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, salivary glands, tongue, epiglottis, rectum & anus. This is also known to be your gut.
The Gastrointestinal System is responsible for:
- Digesting and moving food
- Absorbing nutrients
- Removing waste from your body
Recent studies show that there is a very close tie between your gut and your overall immunity as well as your guy and the production of serotonin in your brain
At Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, our Gastroenterology Department offers the following range of services:
- Abdominal Pain Investigation
- Chronic Diarrhoea
- Coeliac Disease
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Hepatobiliary Problems (Jaundice, Choledocholithiasis, Cholangitis,Biliary Tumour)
- Incontinence and Constipation
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Liver Cirrhosis with or without Portal Hypertension
- Pancreatic Diseases (Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis, Pancreatic Tumour)
- Peptic Ulcer Disease
What is Endoscopy?
Endoscopy is the process by which a long, thin tube is inserted into the body to observe an internal organ or tissue in detail, in this case the gastrointestinal tract. It can also be used to carry out other tasks including imaging and minor surgery.
Endoscopes are minimally invasive and can be inserted into the openings of the body such as the mouth (Gastroscopy), or anus (Colonoscopy).
Endoscopies are done under sedation and are usually daycare procedures, which means the patient can go home the same day.
Before an endoscopy takes place your doctor will take you through all the measures you need to take, to get yourself ready for the procedure.
At AZH, our Endoscopy Department offers the following range of services:
Diagnostic Endoscopy:
- Capsule Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Chromoendoscopy
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
- Rigid Proctoscopy
- Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy
Therapeutic Endoscopy:
- Achalasia Pneumodilation
- Dilations of Gastrointestinal Strictures
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography (ERCP)
- Endoscopic Septotomy of Zenker’s Diverticulum
- Oesophageal Varices Banding
- Foreign Body Extraction
- Haemostasis (Injection Sclerotherapy, APC Coagulation, Metal Clipping, Endolooping)
- Haemostasis Variceal Bleeding (Injection, Banding, Glue)
- Liver Biopsy
- Nasojejunal Feeding Tube Placement
- Oesophageal, Duodenal, Colonic Stent Insertion
- Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Insertion
- Peritoneal Aspiration
- Polypectomy / Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
