Gastroenterologist FAQs

A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specialises in the digestive system: the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder. Dr. Hitendra K Garg is a Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist & Therapeutic Endoscopist and Transplant Hepatologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi.

A gastroenterologist treats every organ in the digestive system. That includes the gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach and intestines) and the biliary organs: the liver, bile ducts, pancreas and gallbladder.

Yes. Colonoscopy is one of the core procedures a gastroenterologist is trained to perform, along with upper GI endoscopy, ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound.

Endoscopy is generally safe when performed by a trained and experienced endoscopist. It is used to examine the inside of the digestive tract, including the oesophagus, stomach and small intestine. Complications are uncommon, and the team will explain the specific risks for your procedure beforehand.

Book a consultation if you have any of the following:

• Constipation that does not settle
• Frequent or severe heartburn
• Persistent bloating
• Sudden or severe abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
• Weight loss without trying
• Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice)
• Loose stools that continue for more than two to three weeks

The foods most often linked to intestinal gas are:

• Beans and lentils
• Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and similar vegetables
• Fructose, a natural sugar in artichokes, onions, pears, wheat and some soft drinks
• Lactose, the natural sugar in milk

Everyone tolerates these differently, so speak to a doctor before cutting out food groups.

Factors that increase the risk of liver disease include:

• Heavy alcohol intake
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Viral hepatitis B and C
• Injecting drugs with shared needles
• Exposure to other people's blood and body fluids

Symptoms to watch for include:

• Skin and eyes that look yellow
• Abdominal pain and swelling
• Swelling in the legs and ankles
• Itchy skin
• Dark urine
• Nausea or vomiting

Early liver disease often causes no symptoms at all, which is why blood tests and an ultrasound matter if you have risk factors.

Evidence suggests that any level of alcohol intake is associated with worse liver outcomes, including drinking within commonly recommended limits. If you already have fatty liver or hepatitis, the safest intake is none.

Liver disease is diagnosed with a combination of blood tests (liver function tests), imaging such as ultrasound, CT or MRI, elastography to measure stiffness, and occasionally a liver biopsy. Early detection matters because the liver can recover if the cause is treated in time.

Diet is central in fatty liver disease, where losing 7 to 10 per cent of body weight can reverse fat and inflammation. A balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and lean protein, with added sugar and refined carbohydrates reduced, supports liver function. Discuss any major dietary change with your doctor, especially if you have diabetes or cirrhosis.

Bring your previous reports, scans and a list of your medicines, including blood thinners and diabetes medicines. Dr. Hitendra K Garg reviews your history and reports, examines you, explains whether any test or procedure is needed, and what to expect. OPD is Monday to Saturday, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.