Gastroenterology and Hepatology

What is Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Gastroenterology is a category of medicine that concentrates on digestive system functions and its conditions. Disorders that impact the gastrointestinal tract, including all the parts from the mouth to the anus, are the primary focus of this field. Doctors involved with this specialty are known as Gastroenterologists. They carry out several diagnostic and treatment procedures such as Colonoscopy, Fibroscan, Gastroscope, ERCP, Video endoscopy, etc. Hepatology (also known as hepatobiliary medicine) focuses on the function of the liver, biliary tree and pancreas. The physicians with this specialty are called Hepatologists.

In the 1920s and 30s, the nutritionist Victor Lindlah quoted: ‘we are what we eat’. The digestive system is mainly involved in the metabolism of food. The digestive tract begins at the mouth and ends at the bowel. The long journey through the body may sometimes be hindered by dysfunctional organs, disrupting the process of digestion and impacting nutrient absorption. Some of the conditions that can disrupt this seemingly natural process are as follows:

Doctor and Kid in clinic consultation room

Esophagus, Stomach and Small Bowel Disorders

  • Gastritis
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Diseases (GERD)
  • Stomach cancer
  • Bacterial infection (Helicobacter Pylori)
  • Malabsorption (celiac disease, tropical sprue)

Large Bowel (Colon/Rectal) Disorders

  • Colorectal cancer
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Colonic polyps

Liver, Biliary System and Pancreatic Disorders

  • Gallbladder stones
  • Stricture (narrowing) or obstruction (blockage) of the bile ducts
  • Hepatitis (A,B,C)
  • Liver cirrhosis and failure
  • Liver abscesses and liver tumours
  • Pancreatitis
  • Cancers of the bile duct system, gall bladder and pancreas
  • Cysts appearing in the liver, pancreas or bile ducts

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Meet Our Gastroenterology And Hepatology Specialists

Get to know our specialists here at Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara.

Resident Consultant

Dr Dennis Khoo Yeap Teng

Dr Dennis Khoo Yeap Teng


Qualifications
MBBS (Malaya) , MRCP (UK) , MRCPS (Glasgow) , Fellowship in Gastroenterology , Hepatology & Advanced Endoscopy (MOH)

Spoken Language
Cantonese, English, Hokkien, Malay, Mandarin


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Dr Gan Ing Earn

Dr Gan Ing Earn


Qualifications
MBBS , MRCP (UK) , FRCP (Glasgow) , Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy (MOH, Australia, Japan)

Spoken Language
English, Malay, Mandarin


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Dr Rajesh Kumar Paramasivam

Dr Rajesh Kumar Paramasivam


Qualifications
MD , MRCP (Glasgow) , Fellowship Gastroenterology (MAL, AUS) , Fellowship Interventional Endoscopy (Bangkok, Mumbai)

Spoken Language
English, Malay, Tamil


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Dr Sandev Singh

Dr Sandev Singh


Qualifications
MBChB (Manchester) , MRCP (UK) , Fellowship Advanced Endoscopy (Mumbai)

Spoken Language
English, Malay


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When Should I See a Gastroenterologist / Hepatologist?

If you encounter pain and bloating in the abdominal area, regular heartburn episodes, constipation, gas, diarrhoea, hepatitis, poor liver function, and trouble with swallowing, you should visit a gastroenterologist and hepatologist.

The most common disorders of gastroenterology and hepatology are found below:

  • GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
  • Gastritis
  • Esophageal disorder
  • Helicobacter pylori infection
  • Small and large intestine disorder
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Liver and biliary tract disorder
  • Pancreatic disorder
  • Motility disorder of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Stomach disorder
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Hepatitis B, C
  • GI tract cancers and tumours

Which Kind of Doctor Specializes in the Treatment of Liver Disorders?

Both gastroenterologists and hepatologists can treat liver diseases, however, their specialty differs. A gastroenterologist focuses on the disorders of GI tract such as colon, pancreas, gallbladder and liver. On the other hand, a hepatologist focuses exclusively on the liver and pancreatic conditions. Both gastroenterologists and hepatologists undergo multiple years of training which includes the diagnosis and treatment of various liver conditions.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Gastroenterologist / Hepatologist

Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists at Thomson Hospital have a long history of treating patients with a broad array of conditions that affect the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, intestines and colon. As an aspect of your custom treatment plan, doctors may also refer you to or consult other specialists from different fields to find the most appropriate treatment for your case.