Washington, D.C. is home to 129 practicing gastroenterologists who have offices in 1 county and 21 zip codes, including zip codes 20007, 20010, 20037, 20006, 20017, 20060, 20307, 20016, 20036, 20032, 20073, 20009, 20422, 20854, 20520, 20310, 20018, 20015, 20011, 20003, and 20002.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Washington, D.C. has a population of 550,521, which gives it a specialist to resident ratio of 1 gastroenterologist for every 4,267 residents.

Description

Gastroenterology is the study of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the body. A gastroenterologist diagnoses and treats diseases of the digestive organs, including the stomach, esophagus, intestines, pancreas, liver and gallbladder. This specialist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer in the GI tract, and jaundice. A gastroenterologist also performs complex diagnostic procedures, including the use of endoscopes to see and treat internal organs.

Diseases / Illnesses Treated

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are Hemorrhoids, Hiatal Hernia, Digestive Disorders, heartburn, Rectal Bleeding, Ulcer, Ostomy Care, Polyps, colon cancer, Crohn's Disease, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Constipation, acid reflux, Bowel Diseases, cystic fibrosis, Ulcerative Colitis, Nausea, Appendicitis, and Colitis.

Procedures Performed

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including GERD Services, abdominal surgery, Appendectomy, Cholecystectomy, laparoscopy, Liver Transplantation, and Cholecystography.

Tests Performed

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including endoscopy, Colonoscopy, Barium Enema, Liver Biopsy, Sigmoidoscopy, Barium Swallow, Abdominal Ultrasound, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), Gallbladder Scan, Upper Gastrointestinal Series, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, Radiographic X-Ray, Proctoscopy, Pancreas Scan, Abdominal Angiogram, Anoscopy, Liver Scan, and Abdominal X-rays.