Skip to content
ShreejiiHospital & Research Centre
Request appointment

Speciality

Gastroenterology

Digestive health

Care for digestive system concerns, from the food pipe and stomach through the intestines and liver.

Request an appointment

A request is not a confirmed appointment — reception will call you to confirm.

Speciality and doctor

Reception will call you to confirm availability. This is not a confirmed booking.

Overview

Understanding gastroenterology

Gastroenterology deals with the digestive system, covering the food pipe, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder and pancreas. It addresses common everyday complaints such as acidity and bloating, as well as more persistent conditions affecting digestion and bowel habits.

Read more about Gastroenterology

Gastroenterologists take a detailed history of symptoms, examine the abdomen, and may recommend tests such as blood work, imaging or endoscopic procedures to look directly inside the digestive tract. They then guide treatment, which may involve dietary changes, medicines, or referral for a procedure.

This speciality helps people with ongoing digestive discomfort, changes in bowel habits, unexplained abdominal pain, or those who have been advised to undergo an endoscopy or colonoscopy for further evaluation.

Your first visit

At your first gastroenterology visit, the doctor will ask about your symptoms, eating habits, and any previous digestive problems, and will examine your abdomen. Please bring any previous test reports, endoscopy or scan records, and a list of medicines you currently take.

What else to expect

Based on the assessment, the doctor may suggest blood tests, stool tests, imaging, or an endoscopic procedure to look more closely at the digestive tract, and will explain any preparation needed beforehand.

Conditions

Conditions this speciality covers

General health information about some common conditions in this field — not a complete list, and not confirmation that every treatment mentioned is available at the hospital. Please speak to a doctor about your own situation.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux

A condition where stomach acid frequently flows back up into the food pipe, causing discomfort.

Learn more about Gastro-oesophageal reflux

This happens when the valve between the food pipe and stomach does not close properly, allowing acid to irritate the lining of the food pipe. It is common and often related to diet, weight and lifestyle factors.

Common symptoms

  • Burning sensation in the chest (heartburn)
  • Sour taste in the mouth
  • Discomfort after eating
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Chronic cough or hoarseness

How it is assessed

Assessment is often based on symptoms, with endoscopy considered if symptoms persist or are severe.

Treatment options

Management typically includes dietary and lifestyle changes along with medicines to reduce acid, guided by symptom severity.

Irritable bowel syndrome

A common condition causing recurring abdominal pain along with altered bowel habits.

Learn more about Irritable bowel syndrome

This is a functional disorder where the bowel is more sensitive than usual, often linked to stress, diet or gut sensitivity, without an identifiable structural cause on testing.

Common symptoms

  • Recurring abdominal pain or cramping
  • Bloating
  • Alternating constipation and diarrhoea
  • Mucus in stools
  • Symptoms relieved by passing stool

How it is assessed

Diagnosis is based on symptom pattern, with tests done to rule out other conditions when needed.

Treatment options

Management focuses on dietary adjustment, lifestyle changes and symptom-directed treatment.

Peptic ulcer disease

A sore that develops on the lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine.

Learn more about Peptic ulcer disease

Ulcers can develop due to infection, certain medicines, or other factors that damage the protective lining of the stomach, leading to pain and occasionally bleeding.

Common symptoms

  • Burning stomach pain
  • Pain that worsens or improves with food
  • Bloating
  • Nausea
  • Dark or tarry stools if bleeding occurs

How it is assessed

Endoscopy is often used to confirm the diagnosis and check for the underlying cause.

Treatment options

Treatment usually involves addressing the underlying cause along with medicines to reduce acid and support healing.

Inflammatory bowel disease

A group of conditions causing long-term inflammation of the digestive tract.

Learn more about Inflammatory bowel disease

This includes conditions where the intestinal lining becomes persistently inflamed, leading to recurring symptoms that can affect daily life and require long-term management.

Common symptoms

  • Persistent diarrhoea
  • Abdominal pain and cramping
  • Blood in stools
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue

How it is assessed

Diagnosis involves blood and stool tests along with endoscopic examination and biopsy.

Treatment options

Treatment aims to control inflammation and manage symptoms, often requiring long-term follow-up.

Gallstones

Hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder and can cause pain or blockage.

Learn more about Gallstones

Gallstones form when substances in bile crystallise, and while many people have no symptoms, some experience pain, particularly after fatty meals.

Common symptoms

  • Pain in the upper right abdomen
  • Pain after fatty meals
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Yellowing of skin or eyes if a stone blocks the bile duct

How it is assessed

Ultrasound imaging is commonly used to detect gallstones.

Treatment options

Management depends on symptoms and may range from dietary advice to surgical removal of the gallbladder when indicated.

Services

Tests, treatments and services

Charges and preparation apply to a consultation, test or procedure — not to a condition.

Common approaches in this speciality

General health information about how doctors in this field usually investigate and treat — not a list of services confirmed at Shreejii. Please ask reception what is available.

Consultations

  • Gastroenterology consultation

    A review of your digestive symptoms, diet and history to guide further evaluation.

    Why and what it involves: Gastroenterology consultation

    Why it is done: To identify the likely cause of your digestive complaints.

    What it involves: Discussion of symptoms and a physical examination of the abdomen.

Diagnostic tests

  • Upper GI endoscopy

    A procedure using a thin camera to examine the food pipe, stomach and upper intestine.

    Why and what it involves: Upper GI endoscopy

    Why it is done: To directly view the digestive tract lining and identify abnormalities.

    What it involves: A day-care procedure usually done under sedation, requiring fasting beforehand.

  • Colonoscopy

    A procedure using a camera to examine the inside of the large intestine.

    Why and what it involves: Colonoscopy

    Why it is done: To evaluate the colon for causes of bleeding, pain or altered bowel habits.

    What it involves: Bowel preparation beforehand and a day-care procedure under sedation.

Treatments & procedures

  • Dietary and medical management

    A structured plan combining dietary changes and medicines suited to your condition.

    Why and what it involves: Dietary and medical management

    Why it is done: To relieve symptoms and manage the underlying digestive condition.

    What it involves: Follow-up visits to adjust the plan based on response.

Follow-up & ongoing care

  • Follow-up review

    Scheduled visits to monitor symptoms and treatment response over time.

    Why and what it involves: Follow-up review

    Why it is done: To ensure the condition is well controlled and address any new symptoms.

    What it involves: A clinical review and, if needed, repeat tests.

Specialists

Doctors in Gastroenterology

View all doctors

Costs

Charges and estimates

The hospital has not published verified charges for this speciality yet. Contact the hospital for a personalised estimate — the cost depends on the consultation, tests or procedure your doctor recommends.

Final bills depend on your treatment plan, room category and clinical needs. Insurance cover and cashless approval depend on your insurer and policy.

Health library

Health articles on Gastroenterology

View all articles

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an endoscopy for ordinary acidity?

Not always. Mild, occasional acidity is often managed with lifestyle changes and medicines, but an endoscopy may be recommended if symptoms are persistent, severe, or accompanied by warning signs such as difficulty swallowing or weight loss.

Is irritable bowel syndrome the same as inflammatory bowel disease?

No, these are different conditions. Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder without visible inflammation, while inflammatory bowel disease involves ongoing inflammation of the intestinal lining that can be seen on tests.

Do I need to fast before an endoscopy or colonoscopy?

Yes, some preparation is generally required, such as fasting before an upper endoscopy or a bowel cleansing routine before a colonoscopy. Your doctor will give specific instructions based on the procedure planned.

Can diet alone control digestive symptoms?

Diet plays an important role in many digestive conditions and can significantly help with symptom control, but some conditions also need medical treatment alongside dietary changes.

Are gallstones always removed once found?

Not necessarily. Gallstones without symptoms are often simply monitored, while those causing pain or complications may need further treatment, which your doctor will discuss based on your situation.

Sources for general health information

This page is general health education, not medical advice. It has not been individually reviewed by a Shreejii doctor unless stated.

Speak to a Gastroenterology specialist

Send a request and reception will call you to confirm a suitable time. A request is not a confirmed appointment.

Questions about this speciality?

Request an appointment or call the hospital.