what is a gastroenterologist and are they trained in ibs?

what is a gastroenterologist and are they trained in ibs ? Gastroenterologists are doctors that have been specifically trained in medicine to deal with conditions (illnesses) of the gut and liver. The training of a gastroenterologist varies from country to country, but in the UK, a gastroenterologists training occurs after basic medical training and normally takes at least 5 years. The basic medical training of a uk doctor is also five years so to become a gastroenterologist takes a miminimum of 10 years from starting at medical school. In reality, the training is ussually longer due to most trainees taking part in research for between 1 to 3 years.

Are gastroenterologists trained in ibs ? The answer to this is yes! ibs is very common and on average, most clinics will see cases of ibs each week. The odd exception will be those specifically trained to be a hepatologist or liver specialist. The specific training in ibs varies, but most gastroenterologists will feel comfortable in dealing with such cases. Picking your gastroenterologist is important though as some have more of an interest in ibs than others. One such gastroenterologist provides online help at www.ibs-help-online.com