Best gastroenterologist in Karachi
oladoc provides a comprehensive list of the best gastroenterologists in Karachi in 2024. We have compiled this list very carefully, looking at authentic reviews depicting real patient experiences. We take into account doctor ratings, experience, qualifications, and patient satisfaction scores to rank the top gastroenterologists near you.
Who is a gastroenterologist?
Gastroenterologists are medical specialists who treat the diseases of the stomach, liver, pancreas, colon, rectum, small intestine, esophagus and gallbladder.
They diagnose and manage the conditions of the digestive system and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The gastrointestinal tract is responsible for the digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and removal of waste products from the body.
The GI tract starts from the mouth all the way through to the anal canal. Therefore, there are an extensive number of diseases associated with this tract which need specialist care for diagnosis and management.
What is gastroenterology?
Gastroenterology is a medical specialty concerned with digestive health and diseases affecting the digestive system and the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastroenterology, therefore, deals with all disorders and conditions of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, gallbladder, liver, and rectum. Doctors who specialize in gastroenterology are called gastroenterologists.
When should you see a gastroenterologist in Karachi?
The common digestive issues for which the help of a gastroenterologist in Karachi is sought include:
- Stomach Pain
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Pancreatitis
- Hemorrhoids
- Stomach Ulcers
- Food Poisoning
- Heartburn
- IBS
- Lactose Intolerance
- Gallstones
- Colon Polyps
For most of the aforementioned symptoms, the best stomach specialists in Karachi can prescribe medication and advise lifestyle modifications.
Your primary healthcare provider can also refer you to a stomach specialist if you experience unexplained bloating, difficulty swallowing, blood in stool, and unexplained weight loss.
For people who are over the age of 50 years, sessions should be held with a gastroenterologist in Karachi for preventive care, as the risk for colon cancer increases with age.
For people with a history of colonic cancer in the family, preventive care and yearly colonoscopies should start at the age of 40 years.
What Are The Main Areas Of Concern Of A Gastroenterologist?
A gastroenterologist in Karachi caters to various issues pertaining to the gastric tract. They deal with hepatology and the diseases of the liver, including hereditary diseases, acquired infections like hepatitis B and C, as well as complications of alcoholic liver disease.
Additionally, they deal with the diseases of the gallbladder, biliary tree, and bile duct. Even though gastroenterologists don't deal with liver transplants, they manage a patient with liver disease up until there is a need for a transplant. They can also work with the surgical team to manage a liver patient.
Pancreatic diseases are also the main area of concern of a stomach doctor. Pancreatitis is the most common disorder of the pancreas, followed by pancreatic cancer. Pancreatitis is an extremely painful condition of the pancreas that occurs due to chronic alcohol intake or due to gallstone obstruction. A stomach doctor can perform procedures like ERCP to diagnose and manage pancreatitis if needed.
The best gastroenterologist in Karachi can also perform endoscopic surveillance of high-risk patients, including those with peptic ulcer disease, patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and people with a family history of colonic cancer. They routinely perform screening procedures on the latter and the elderly. They also perform biopsies to rule out cancers of the GI tract.
Gastroenterologists educate their patients about the risks of unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. Most of the GI tract diseases can be avoided if people eat healthily, use clean water, and work out regularly. As board certified gastroenterologist Dr. Janese S. Laster states, “What you eat plays a big role in determining the health of your gut.”
What conditions does a gastroenterologist in Karachi treat?
A gastroenterologist in Karachi can provide treatment for the following conditions:
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Condition
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Description
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Abdominal pain
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Pain or discomfort that you experience anywhere in your belly region, between your chest and your pelvis is known as abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is a common problem that can be acute or chronic. It may range from mild to severe. Abdominal can go away on its own but may require medical intervention in some cases.
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GERD
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition in which acid from your stomach moves back up into your esophagus. A gastroenterologist can recommend medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery to treat GERD.
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Consuming contaminated food can lead to food poisoning characterized by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, among other symptoms. Treatment depends on what caused the food poisoning; parasites, viruses, or bacteria.
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Abdominal bloating
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Bloating is a feeling of fullness or tightness in your stomach most likely caused by a buildup of gas.
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Diarrhea
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Passing 3 or more loose or watery stools in a day is known as diarrhea. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. A severe form of diarrhea that does not go away on its own within two days may require treatment from a gastroenterologist.
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H. pylori infection
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Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that can attack your stomach lining causing nausea, unexplained weight loss, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. A recent study noted that the global prevalence of H. Pylori infection declined in the last 3 decades in adults but not in children and adolescents. H. Pylori is a leading cause of gastric cancer, the 5th most common type of cancer worldwide according to the stomach cancer statistics shared by the World Cancer Research Fund.
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Ulcerative colitis
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Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that leads to sores or ulcers in your colon and rectum. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and involves medications or surgery to remove the colon (colectomy).
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Peptic ulcer disease
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Peptic ulcer disease causes sores or ulcers in the inner lining of your stomach or duodenum i.e., the first part of your small intestine. Symptoms can range from burning and pain in the stomach to bleeding which may be noticeable in your stools which can be black or tarry or your vomit.
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What are the most common digestive disorders In Pakistan?
According to data from the gastroenterology department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), there has been an increase of 30 percent in the number of patients with digestive issues compared to previous years.
The most common issues people presented with included indigestion, followed by gastric ulcers and bleeding esophageal varices, which is a complication of chronic hepatitis. People also presented with inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, with ulcerative lesions in the large intestine.
The top infectious causes of gastrointestinal diseases are cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. The rise of gastric diseases among the pediatric population is also on the rise, suggesting that the consumption of unclean water and junk food are the main culprits.
Moreover, there is a prevalence of hepatitis in Pakistan due to a severe lack of clean drinking water and hygienic food. Constipation is another common digestive issue, especially among the Pakistani population, owing to poor dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle.
Problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are also quite widespread in Pakistan. Research figures show a 33.2% prevalence of IBS making it the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) in the country.
The common digestive disorders in Pakistan are mentioned in the table below:
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Digestive disorder
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Description
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IBS
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A long-term disorder characterized by a group of intestinal symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, constipation, gas, etc. According to the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), IBS is one of the most common diseases diagnosed by gastroenterologists.
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Cholera
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An infectious disease caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, thirst, vomiting, etc.
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Typhoid
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An infection caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria that causes high fever, headache, and stomach pain, etc.
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Dysentery
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An intestinal infection that causes bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain among other symptoms.
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Hepatitis
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An inflammation of the liver. It has 5 main types: A, B, C, D, and E. Each has its own distinct causes and symptoms.
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Constipation
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A common condition characterized by infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stools.
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What procedures does a gastroenterologist In Karachi perform?
A gastroenterologist in Karachi can perform the following procedures:
1. Colonoscopy
In this procedure the gastroenterologist uses a thin tube-like instrument with a tiny camera and light on the end known as a colonoscope to examine the inside of your rectum and colon.
2. Liver biopsy
A liver biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of your liver tissue is removed and checked under a microscope to look for signs of damage or disease.
3. Sigmoidoscopy
A procedure performed by gastroenterologists to check the inside of the sigmoid colon which is the part of the large intestine closest to the rectum.
4. Endoscopy
A procedure in which a thin tube is inserted into the body through an opening such as the mouth to check the internal organs. An endoscopy helps doctors diagnose potential diseases and illnesses.
5. Gastroscopy
A gastroscopy is a test conducted to see the inside of your esophagus (food pipe), the stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).
6. Hemorrhoid banding
Hemorrhoid banding or rubber band ligation is a procedure to treat hemorrhoids that involves tying them off at their base using rubber bands, stopping blood flow to the hemorrhoids.
7. Esophageal pH monitoring
Esophageal pH monitoring is a test to check how much and how often stomach acid enters the esophagus, as well as how long it stays in the esophagus. This test can help diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Common gastroenterology subspecialties
Gastroenterologists can choose to specialize in a specific organ of the GI or in a particular disorder. If a gastroenterologist decides to study the liver as a specialty, they are known as hepatologists.
Others can choose a subspecialty based on a disease. Common subspecialties that a gastroenterologist in Karachi may specialize in include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Colorectal cancer
- Interventional endoscopy
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Transplant hepatology
- Neuro-gastroenterology
What are the qualifications of a gastroenterologist?
A gastroenterologist or stomach specialist has the following qualifications:
- A college degree (4 years).
- A medical degree (4 years).
- Residency in internal medicine (3 years).
- Fellowship in gastroenterology (2-3 years).
- The successful completion of a specialized exam to become a board-certified gastroenterologist.
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