Gastroenterology, Ulcers, Obesity, and Todays Healthcare climate.

The subject in the health line of work well-known as Gastroenterology is a large and very vital specialty in the realm of medicine. It is known for providing continuing and comprehensive care for the digestive system and its related systems, organs, tissues, and functions. It consists of the gastroenterological care needs of all age groups, sexes, areas on the body, and illnesses. In the United States there are 921,904 total physicians. Of those, over two thirds are male. The average Gastroenterology physician earns between $110,000 and $204,000, however in metropolitan areas, a seasoned Gastroenterologist can make over 300k.

Though there are a number of trivial variances in the education of each, both M.D.'s and D.O.'s are equally certified and competent to become Gastroenterologists. A Gastroenterology physician generally has at least 12-14 years of education including a bachelors degree in a health or scientific related area, a graduate degree (MD or DO,) an accredited Internal Medicine residency (post-graduate), and lastly an accredited Gastroenterology fellowship. It takes approximately 11-13 years of post-secondary education to become a Gastroenterologist.

Gastroenterologist physicians not only identify and treat illness, additionally they give preventive checkups and health-risk assessments, immunizations, screening tests, and healthy lifestyle counseling.

Ulcers are a ordinary issue treated by Gastroenterologists. There are a few different kinds of ulcers. Ulcers of the digestive tract are called Peptic Ulcers. Some of these are caused by bacteria, and some by NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen. NSAID stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The four types of ulcers are as follows - gastric, duodenal, Esophageal, and the Meckel's Diverticulum. Gastric ulcers occur in the stomac, Duodenal in the duodenum, Esophageal in the Esophagus; however the Meckel's Diverticulum is actually a vestigial trait relating to the presence of a yolk sac in earlier human evolutionary stages. Ulcers afflict around 4 million people, and nearly 400,000 new cases are reported each year. Cumulatively, Duodenal and Gastric ulcers are responsible for roughly 6,000 deaths each year.

Another developing and hazardous problem being faced by Americans and the medical community today is obesity in both children and adults. In the last two decades, obesity rates in kids and adults both skyrocketed at a staggering rate, and physicians are gravely concerned. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), there are approximately 112,000 deaths per year that are attributed to conditions related to preventable obesity. Preventable obesity can be defined as obesity that could be prevented through diet, exercise, and appropriate health care.

Obesity rates in children are in particular scary. Heavy children not only are more prone to grow up to be overweight adults, they are also at a much higher and much earlier risk for damaging health effects such as diabetes, hypertension, and risky levels of lipids and fats in the blood. The list of adverse health effects from obesity is endless. There are a few factors and behaviors that put Americans at risk, such as eating out. Eating outside the home usually means fast food with humble nutritional value or at a restaurant where food data is unavailable. Even meals at home are becoming more processed, which means more sodium and fats. Socially acceptable increased food portion sizes have also grown. Technology and convenience are also contributing to a more sedentary lifestyle with less walking, biking, and physical activity.

As with other specialties, another problem facing Gastroenterologist physicians is aging. Up to 1/3rd of the current 921,904 practicing physicians in the United States will be taking into account retiring by the year 2020. A shortage of primary care physicians, such as Gastroenterology physicians, is less of a particular concern as it would be to Family Medicine or I-Med due to the selection of younger healthcare providers to choose to further specialize. The reason behind this is that further specialization beyond general care is needed for higher salaries to pay for their pricey education. The scarcity is expected to hit rural and underserved geographicities the hardest.

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