Gastroenterology Medical Checkup

A gastroenterology medical checkup in Cuba involves the assessment and diagnosis of disorders affecting the digestive system, known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This field addresses a wide range of health concerns, from common issues like acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to more complex conditions such as liver disease, pancreatic disorders, and gastrointestinal cancers, with a focus on the unique dietary and health factors relevant to the .

The Digestive System (Gastrointestinal – GI Track)

The digestive system is a complex network of organs responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste from the body. It includes:

• Mouth: Digestion begins in the mouth whereby the food is mechanically broken down by chewing and mixed with saliva, which contains enzymes that begin the process of chemical digestion.
• Esophagus: The esophagus is a muscular tube that transports food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach through coordinated muscle contractions called peristalsis.
• Stomach: The stomach uses its muscular walls to mix and churn food with gastric juices, which contain acids and enzymes that break down proteins, turning the food into a semi-liquid substance called chyme.
• Small Intestine: The small intestine is the primary site for nutrient absorption, where digestive enzymes and bile further break down food, allowing nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal walls, while the remaining waste moves on to the large intestine.
• Large Intestine: The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes from the remaining indigestible food matter, forming solid waste (feces) that is then stored in the rectum until it is excreted from the body.
• The Anus: The anus is the final part of the digestive system, where the body expels solid waste (feces) during defecation, controlled by the coordinated action of internal and external sphincter muscles.

Beyond these primary components, the digestive system also covers:

• The Liver: The liver plays a vital role in detoxifying the blood, producing bile for digestion, and storing nutrients.
• The Pancreas: The pancreas is responsible for producing enzymes that aid in digestion and hormones like insulin that regulate blood sugar levels.
• The Gallbladder: The gallbladder is a small organ beneath the liver that is responsible for storing bile and releasing it into the small intestine to help digest fats.
• The Bile Ducts: The bile ducts are channels that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine.

Key Components of a Gastroenterology Medical Checkup

A gastroenterology medical checkup typically involves a comprehensive evaluation of the digestive system to detect, diagnose, or monitor gastrointestinal disorders.

Medical History and Symptom Assessment

• Detailed Medical History: A thorough review of the patient’s medical history, including any previous digestive issues, surgeries, medications, and family history of gastrointestinal diseases, will be conducted.
• Symptom Discussion: An assessment of current symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or blood in the stool, will be carried out.

Physical Examination

• Inspection: Visual assessment of the abdomen for distension, asymmetry, scars, or visible masses as well as observing the skin for signs of jaundice, rashes, or other abnormalities related to liver or digestive health.
• Palpation: Assessing the abdomen area to detect tenderness, swelling, or masses and checking for abdominal rigidity or guarding.
• Percussion: Assess the size and density of underlying organs of the abdomen looking for fluid accumulation (ascites) or air in the intestines.
• Auscultation: Listening to bowel sounds to evaluate the activity of the intestines.
• Rectal Examination: Manual examination of the rectum to check for abnormalities such as hemorrhoids, masses, or blood, and assess the tone of the anal sphincter and check for signs of bleeding or tumours.
• Assessment of Other Symptoms: Checking for signs of dehydration or malnutrition, such as dry mucous membranes or poor skin turgor. Also, examining for lymph node enlargement, particularly in the abdomen or neck, which can indicate infection or malignancy.

Laboratory Tests

• Blood Tests: These can help detect signs of inflammation, infection, anemia, liver function abnormalities, or other indicators of gastrointestinal disorders.
• Stool Tests: These may be ordered to check for blood, infections, or digestive problems such as malabsorption.

Diagnostic Procedures

• Endoscopy: A flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) is used to examine the upper digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, and duodenum). This procedure is commonly used to diagnose GERD, ulcers, or cancer.
• Colonoscopy: Similar to endoscopy, but this procedure examines the lower digestive tract (colon and rectum). It’s often used for colon cancer screening or to investigate symptoms like rectal bleeding.
• Capsule Endoscopy: A small, pill-sized camera is swallowed to take images of the small intestine, which are transmitted to a recording device.
• Imaging Studies: Ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI may be used to get detailed images of the digestive organs, helping to identify structural abnormalities or masses.
• Biopsy: During procedures like endoscopy or colonoscopy, small tissue samples may be taken for further analysis under a microscope.

Specialized Tests

• Liver Function Tests (LFTs): These tests assess how well your liver is functioning and can help diagnose liver conditions such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.
• Hydrogen Breath Test: Used to diagnose lactose intolerance, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or fructose malabsorption.
• pH Monitoring: This test measures the acidity in the esophagus to diagnose GERD.

Consultation and Follow-Up

• Diagnosis and Treatment Plan: Based on the results of the checkup, the gastroenterologist will discuss their findings with the patient and recommend a treatment plan, should there be a need for treatment. This could include medications, dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, or, in some cases, surgical interventions.