The speciality of gastroenterology is concerned with the digestive system. In its most comprehensive sense this includes not only the oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, rectum and anus but also the pancreas and hepatobiliary system. Particularly in larger hospitals, hepatology is a separate discipline, although is still typically practised by doctors who have trained as gastroenterologists.
Gastroenterology is dominated by five main patterns of disease.
- Tumours
- Bleeding
- Motility problems (either obstruction or increased motility)
- Malabsorption
- Disorders related to gastric acid
The categories of motility disorders and malabsorption in particular encompass a large number of conditions.
