Hepatologists are medical professionals that specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of health problems involving the gallbladder, biliary tract, liver, and pancreas.
They will diagnose your ailment and treat you in accordance with the results of the diagnosis.
They can also treat the following:
You will need to consult with one based on your situation, as proper evaluation is complete by examining the indications and symptoms of the disease. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disorder, primary biliary cholangitis, cirrhosis, NASH, and sclerosing cholangitis are among the conditions that they can help with.
Hepatologists are most usually called upon to treat viral hepatitis and illnesses associated with alcohol consumption. Hepatitis affects millions of people around the world and has been linked to a number of negative outcomes, including liver cancer and the need for liver transplant surgery. Hepatitis B and C, in particular, are known to be associated with the development of liver cancer. The intake of alcoholic beverages has been linked to cirrhosis and other consequences.
For a variety of causes, like drug overdose, intestinal bleeding due to hypertension, jaundice, ascites, enzymes abnormalities, or abnormal blood tests that indicate liver disease, a general practitioner may send a patient to a hepatologist.
When there is evidence of disease in the biliary system, or when there is fever, this may prompt a regular doctor to refer the person to a hepatologist. Other reasons for referral include hydatid cysts, malaria, or parasitic infections. These specialists may also provide treatment for conditions such as hemochromatosis or pancreatitis, as well as follow-up care for individuals who have undergone liver transplantation.
Ans. A hepatologist is a medical professional who specialises in diagnosing as well as treating liver, pancreas, bile duct, and gallbladder-related disorders and problems. There are millions of people around the globe suffering from such medical conditions, and the prime reasons are lifestyle changes, unhealthy eating habits, and alcohol.
Ans. Your primary health care provider may recommend you to see a hepatologist since he/she might be concerned that your symptoms are related to liver, pancreatic, or bile duct-related problems. Or else, you may need to pay a visit to a hepatologist In medical conditions/diseases, such as cirrhosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, jaundice or any other abnormality with the liver, pancreas, bile duct, and gallbladder.
Ans. Based on your medical condition, your hepatologist may recommend a few diagnostic tests to get to know about your health problem better. You can expect tests like liver biopsy, CT (computed tomography) scan, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, HIDA scan, sonogram, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or MRCP. Along with that, in most cases, hepatologists usually recommend some blood tests as well.
Ans. At the first appointment, you’ll be going over the problems you’re facing, and your hepatologist may recommend some advanced imaging tests such as ultrasound, and other scans to check for any abnormality in the liver area, pancreas, and gallbladder. If your symptoms are pointing at any disease, and your diagnostic tests confirm that, then your hepatologist will go over the treatment plans, and options you have.
Ans. In most cases, you will need a referral from your primary care physician before you book an appointment with a hepatologist. However, if you want, you can pay a visit to a hepatologist without any referral as well, but the referral usually helps people claim health insurance to cover the treatment expenses.