The department of Gastroenterology at Aster Hospital specializes in the conditions affecting the liver and digestive tract, including the stomach, duodenum, gallbladder, pancreas, intestines, and colon. We have experts who professionally treat a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn), peptic ulcer disease, colitis, colon polyps, gallbladder disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), pancreatitis, gastrointestinal malignancy, liver diseases, etc. The team consists of highly accomplished Gastroenterologists including Surgical Gastroenterologists, Gastrointestinal Oncologists, and Gastrointestinal Radiologists supported by skilled nurses who provide exceptional patient care. The department has cutting edge technologies for high-precision procedures that aid in performing complex & simple procedures like Endoscopy, Colonoscopy and Endoscopic Variceal Sclerotherapy (EVS).
Facilities
Well equipped with the latest medical equipment, modern technology & infrastructure, Aster Hospital is one of the best hospitals in India.
UGI Endoscopy
Colonoscopy
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Enteroscopy
Liver Biopsy
Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS)
Sigmoidoscopy
Side Viewing Endoscopy
Upper GI and Lower GI Endoscopy (Diagnostic & Therapeutic)
ERCP
Capsule Endoscopy
Double Balloon Enteroscopy
Endoscopic Ultrasound- Diagnostic & Therapeutic
Oesophageal and Anorectal Manometry
24 hr GI Bleed Care
Liver Clinic- for patients with Liver & Gall Bladder diseases
IBD Clinic- Special care for ulcerative colitis &Crohn’s diseases
Some of the best technologies in the hospital includes:
Kerala’s third Da Vinci surgery robot
Highly advanced infection control HEPA filters to remove air borne particles
Highly advanced diagnostic equipment to detect and diagnose various liver conditions.
The unit provides round-the clock clinical services (outpatient, inpatient and emergency) in managing GI and liver diseases, in both adult and paediatric.
Multidisciplinary care
The department of gastroenterology is an integral part of the multi-disciplinary teams which includes GI and oncosurgery, GI and interventional radiology, Hepatopancreaticobiliary care, liver transplant and GI pathology which are involved in the management of complex gastroenterology conditions.
Breath Testing
Hydrogen and urea breath test
Manometry and PH
Oesophageal, anorectal, pH-impedance and biofeedback.
Endoscopy
a. Facilities
Endoscopy suites with dedicated recovery area.
High definition endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound system.
Dedicated high resolution fluoroscopy unit.
Digital spyglass and laser system.
Paediatric endoscopy, colonoscopy, ERCP
Automated endoscope disinfection and reprocessing unit.
b. Diagnostic endoscopy
Including magnification NBI for early cancer
Enteroscopy, EHS and paediatric endoscopy
c. Therapeutic endoscopy
For bleeding, foreign body impaction, bile duct stones and treatment of early cancer
Endoscopic Ultrasound EUS
For CBD stones, mediastinal node, pancreatic biliary cancer cytology and biopsy
ORI Fusion Digital Integrated Operation Theatres With 22 Operating Rooms that are on par with some of the largest in the world, Aster Medcity, for the first time South India, introduces ORI Fusion Digital Integrated Operation Theatres using Karlstorz OR1 Fusion - Asia Pacific’s first complete digital integration system.
The integration enables real-time sharing of images, videos and medical reports, which not only facilitates virtual participation from any location in the world, but also helps the rest of the surgical team to monitor the patient closely during the operative procedure, much to the benefit and safety of the patient undergoing the surgery.
Aster Medcity is also the first surgical facility in the state to offer Robotic Surgery using high-precision da Vinci Surgery Robot.
- UGI Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Enteroscopy
- Liver Biopsy
- Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS)
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Side Viewing Endoscopy.
FAQs
Want to find out more about the treatment? The answer to your questions can be found below.
Why Aster MIMS for a Liver Transplant?
The experts work collaboratively, taking extra care of each patient’s medical condition to provide advanced care centered towards treatment and better quality of living. The hospital is equipped with superior industrial technology that offers robotics-assisted surgery for various liver conditions. In order to provide round-the-clock care, the hospital is equipped with active 24-hour services, and has upgraded facilities to treat all sorts of liver conditions, including chronic liver diseases and intensive care facilities for acute liver failure.
Success rate in Liver Transplant
It is very important for the patient to receive timely care and treatment in the case of liver diseases. A transplant can transform a life, but it is imperative to get it done at the right place to ensure chance of survival. At Aster MIMS, the doctors are highly qualified, and superbly trained in the latest treatment techniques to replace the diseased liver with a healthy one. Through procedures that impart proper care and diagnosis during the liver transplant surgeries, the patient can lead a normal life, as the liver is a unique organ in the human body capable of regeneration.
How obesity can be identified?
The ideal way to measure obesity is by calculating Body mass index (BMI) of a person. BMI is defined as a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg/m2). Increased BMI shows high body fatness.
Do Genetic reasons cause obesity?
Genetic predisposition is one of the reasons for obesity, it is a well-known and currently proven fact. Around 43% of the general population is susceptible to become obese due to genetic factors.
Is obesity curable?
Obesity is a progressive and relapsing chronic disease which can be either prevented or reduced by losing weight by following a healthy dietary pattern and regular regimen of exercise.
What is bariatric surgery?
It is a surgical intervention to promote weight loss by making changes to your digestive system. Decreasing the size of the stomach creates a feeling of fullness when you eat.
When to opt for bariatric surgery, am I the ideal candidate?
Bariatric procedures are suggested to you if other weight management measures are failed and you suffer from obesity related health conditions
When should I be able to do exercise after bariatric surgery?
About 150 minutes of weekly exercises are suggested after the procedure, moderate activities like walking and jogging can be done depending on the individual’s health condition.
What is Gastro sciences?
Gastro sciences is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders in the digestive system including our body parts like the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and biliary system.
What should you expect on your first visit to a gastroenterologist?
During your first visit, your gastroenterologist will evaluate your symptoms and analyze your problem. He may also request you to undergo additional tests or procedures such as blood tests, endoscopic examinations, and imaging studies for diagnosis or treatment and imaging studies.
How are gastrointestinal problems caused?
Several factors such as food bacteria, infection, stress, medications, and chronic medical conditions like Crohn’s disease, IBS, and colitis can lead to gastrointestinal issues.
What is inflammatory bowel disease? and How do you get it?
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a term that is used to describe long-standing chronic inflammatory disorders in your digestive tract due to a dysregulation of the immune system. The most common types of IBD are -
- Ulcerative colitis - This type of IBD causes long-lasting ulcers and inflammations in the large intestine and rectum.
- Crohn’s disease - This condition affects your GI tract and leads to abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea, malnutrition, fatigue and weight loss. While Crohn’s disease mostly affects the small intestine, however, it can also affect the large intestine and the upper gastrointestinal tract. Even though there is no cure for this condition, certain treatment options can help in controlling the disease and can relieve the symptoms.
Currently, the exact cause of IBD is unknown, but this condition mostly occurs due to immune system malfunction. Several risk factors such as family history, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, and smoking can also affect IBD.
What are haemorrhoids and how are they treated?
Also known as piles, Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum that usually develop inside the rectum or under the skin around the anus. There are different types of haemorrhoids -
- External haemorrhoids: These develop under the skin around the anus and cause swelling around the anus along with pain and itching,
- Internal haemorrhoids: These develop inside the rectum causing painless bleeding during bowel movements.
- Thrombosed haemorrhoids: In some cases, blood within the haemorrhoids sets thrombosed leading to severe pain.
- Treatment: Treatment includes laxatives, ointment, banding or surgery.
What is Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and how does it occur?
GERD is the repeated flow of stomach acid in the oesophagus and can irritate the inner lining of the oesophagus. This condition presents itself as -
- A burning sensation in the chest that usually occurs after eating or at night
- Pain that worsens when lying down
- Bitter acidic taste in the mouth
- Chronic cough or food refluxing back into the mouth.
What is Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy?
Gastroscopy and colonoscopy is the procedure/test to check your upper digestive system to diagnose an ulcer, cancer, and a biopsy. This will also help in the treatment of bleeding, the removal of foreign bodies as well as the removal of early cancer.
History of Aster Liver Transplants
Ever since then, the hospital has been judicious in adding better facilities to ensure timely care to its patients. The highly skilled team of medical professionals at the hospital performs transplants of foreign patients, while the aim of the process itself is to provide better quality of life. The surgeons follow state-of-the-art techniques in replacing the diseased organ with a healthy one. By making use of sophisticated diagnostic techniques they ensure that the surgery is productive, and the patient gets back to health with minimal hospital stay expenses.
What is Obesity?
Obesity is a complex disease characterized by abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in body that may impair health. People who have obesity are prone to develop heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer.
What are the causes of Obesity?
The primary cause of obesity is the energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. Overweightness is commonly caused by over eating and sedentary lifestyle. For instance, if you consume high amounts of energy, particularly fat and sugars, but do not burn off the energy through exercise and physical activity, much of the surplus energy will be stored by the body as fat. Factors that can lead to obesity are, Increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugars Decrease in physical activity due to the increasingly sedentary nature of work Environmental and societal changes associated with development Lack of supportive policies in health, agriculture, environment, food processing and education Diseases – Hypothyroidism, Chronic stress, Insomnia & Hypersomnia Eating Disorders Smoking cessation Drugs
What are the diseases associated with obesity?
There are several ailments associated with overweightness, an obese person has more chance to develop other disease conditions such as,
Cardiovascular diseases - Ischemic Heart Disease and Stroke
Hypertension
Insulin Resistance & Diabetes Mellitus
Dyslipidaemia
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea & Hypoventilation Syndrome
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease - NASH – CLD
Gallbladder disorders
PCOS & Infertility
Musculoskeletal disorders - Osteoarthritis
Cancers - Endometrium, Breast, Kidney, Liver, Prostate, Esophagus, Colon.
Psychological disorders.
The risk for these diseases increases with increase in BMI.
What are the treatments available for obesity?
The aim of the obesity treatment is to maintain a healthy Body mass index (BMI) to prevent many other diseases associated with obesity. Following a healthy dietary pattern and regular physical activity helps in sustaining overall health.
Is bariatric procedure safe?
Yes, it is relatively safe procedure with the help of cutting-edge modern technology and experienced medical team at Aster Medcity, Kochi
Are there any side effects of undergoing bariatric surgery?
The side effects of bariatric surgery are relatively lesser compared to the health issues that you suffer from obesity. Some side effects may include general weakness, malnutrition, temporally hair loss. You can overcome these issues by following the guidelines from dietitian and doctor.
When would I be able to return to work after bariatric surgery?
Usually, it may take up to one to two weeks to return to work, depending on the type of procedure that you undergo.
Who is a gastroenterologist?
A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in treating issues related to the gastrointestinal tract which includes our oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and other digestive organs like the liver, pancreas, bile ducts, and gallbladder. These doctors not only prescribe medicines to treat gastric issues but also perform endoscopic procedures such as endoscopy and colonoscopy.
Which is the most common gastrointestinal disease?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and acidity are some of the most common gastrointestinal diseases.
Which bacteria can cause gastrointestinal infection?
Various bacteria can cause one or more disorders related to the GI tract. These include -
- E. coli
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Campylobacter
- Clostridium.
How can you identify Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis?
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can be identified through various symptoms. These include -
- Diarrhea,
- Fever,
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Unintended weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blood in the stool.
What is heartburn and how do you get it?
Heartburn is the feeling of a burning sensation in your chest that often gets worse after eating or while lying down or bending over. This condition usually occurs due to stomach acid reflux in the oesophagus. While heartburn is an occasional condition and can be managed through lifestyle changes, however, if it occurs frequently and impacts your daily routine then you may require medical care.
What are polyps and what causes them?
Polyps are the growth that develops on the lining of the colon. They may cause symptoms or grow into colon cancer, Hence they require special attention and treatment.
When do you need to see a gastroenterologist?
If you are having severe digestive issues such as frequent flatulence (gas), abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, jaundice, bowel movements, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, constipation, bloating, trouble in swallowing and frequent heartburn or if you have anything else that is affecting your digestive system then you must consult a gastroenterologist. It is also advisable that people who have a family history of GI cancer and Inflammatory bowel diseases must get them checked by a gastroenterologist at regular intervals.
Gastroenterologists are not only concerned with disorders related to the stomach and intestines but also provide treatment for diseases of the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver.
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