The Department of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, also known as Gastroenterology Department, is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions related to the gastrointestinal tract and liver. It encompasses a wide variety of conditions ranging from simple stomach upsets to complex liver diseases.
Some of the major duties and responsibilities of the MDL Department include:
Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders: The MDL unit treats disorders of the gastrointestinal tract including peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, reflux disease, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and diverticulitis.
Endoscopic Procedures: The MDL department performs several endoscopic procedures, such as gastroscopy (to view the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum), colonoscopy (to view the inside of the colon), and ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ) for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the bile duct and pancreas.
Treatment of liver disorders: The gastroenterology department treats liver disorders such as fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver fibrosis, and other liver diseases.
Screening and Prevention: The gastroenterology department plays a role in the screening and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases, including colorectal cancer screening with colonoscopy.
Diagnosing Digestive Disorders: The MDL department specializes in diagnosing digestive disorders and planning treatment strategies.
Treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders: The gastrointestinal department also treats functional disorders, such as dyspepsia and IBS, where the symptoms are not accompanied by obvious structural changes.
Multidisciplinary Care: Gastroenterologists often work with other medical specialists and healthcare providers to provide a comprehensive approach to care for patients with complex gastrointestinal and liver conditions.
The MDL department is critical for treating conditions that affect the digestive system and liver. Early diagnosis, endoscopic procedures and advanced treatment options play an important role in managing gastrointestinal and liver diseases and improving patients' quality of life.