Robert Mead Gastroenterology : Gastroenterology

The word Gastroenterology is a combination of three Ancient Greek words: gastro - stomach, enteron - intestine, logos - reason. It is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system, its disorders and treatments and it includes the liver, gall bladder and pancreas that are sited alongside the alimentary canal.

Literally it means the study and application of science to understand the stomach and the digestive system.

Putting this into practice I use my years of experience to take a careful and in depth medical history and undertake a thorough examination. I supplement this with carefully selected and cost effective further investigation. I use my medical knowledge and sound reasoning to make a diagnosis and to relate the symptoms and treatment to my patients’ lives, diets, and health.

Communication and consideration for your health are key aspects in my care and you should expect to leave with a clear understanding of the diagnosis and what I propose to do next to investigate or begin treatment. This will be repeated in my letter sent to you and your GP shortly after your consultation.

Common Gastroenterological diseases I specialise in are irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn and gastro-oesophageal reflux, Barrett’s oesophagus, peptic ulcers, coeliac disease (gluten enteropathy), gallstones and gallbladder problems, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis, malabsorption and unexplained weight loss. I have specially trained in early cancer detection in the oesophagus, stomach and colon.

I have specialist interests in pain from the digestive system, and diarrhoeal and constipatory disorders. This includes the interesting functional disorders and the more unusual, but still common diseases, such as bile salt malabsorption, microscopic colitis and small bowel bacterial overgrowth.

I also work in a specialist Hepato-biliary (HPB) multi-disciplinary team examining the gall bladder, pancreas and biliary system often involving jaundice (yellow in the eyes), pain and concerns over cancers.

Care of these conditions involves a personal consultation and examination by me and may require further investigation or treatment with endoscopy procedures. Endoscopy is the use of a lighted thin flexible tube which directly inspects the internal linings of the digestive tract, while the patient remains comfortable and often sedated.

Problems such as early cancers, internal bleeding, polyps or stones lodged in bile ducts can be frequently treated through the endoscope saving my patients major surgery.