Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Our gastroenterology and hepatology teams look after the digestive system and the liver at hospitals and clinics across the UAE. We use endoscopy to look inside the gut, from diagnostic gastroscopy and colonoscopy to treatments carried out in the same procedure. We care for both adults and children, and much of our work supports people living with long-term conditions.

What is gastroenterology and hepatology?

Gastroenterology covers the digestive system, and hepatology covers the liver. Together they also care for the pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts. A gastroenterologist uses endoscopy to look inside the gut and take tissue samples. They diagnose and manage conditions such as reflux, irritable bowel syndrome and hepatitis, mostly with medicines rather than surgery. Much of the work is steady, long-term care. Your family doctor handles many digestive complaints first and refers you on when specialist care is needed.

Areas within gastroenterology and hepatology

Paediatric gastroenterology: Care for digestive, liver and nutrition problems in children, such as reflux, constipation and coeliac disease.

When should you see a gastroenterologist?

Book an appointment if you notice:

• Heartburn or indigestion that keeps coming back
• Stomach pain, bloating or a change in your bowel habits
• Ongoing diarrhoea or constipation
• Difficulty or pain when swallowing
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

Vomiting blood, or passing black or tarry stools, is a sign of bleeding in the digestive system and needs emergency care: call for emergency help straight away.

You might also see a gastroenterologist when you have no symptoms at all. Bowel cancer screening, a family history of bowel or liver disease, or a long-term condition that needs monitoring are all good reasons to book. In the UAE, many people see a specialist directly. Some insurance plans ask for a referral from your family doctor first, so it's worth checking your cover before you book.

What to expect

At your first appointment, the gastroenterologist asks about your symptoms, your medical history and any medicines you take, then examines your tummy. Depending on what they find, they may arrange blood tests, a stool test or an ultrasound scan. Many people also have an endoscopy. A gastroscopy or colonoscopy lets the doctor look inside your gut and take small samples for testing, and you may need to fast for a few hours beforehand.

Treatment depends on the diagnosis. For many conditions, changes to diet and daily habits make a real difference, sometimes alongside medicines that ease symptoms or calm inflammation. Some problems are treated during an endoscopy, such as removing a polyp or stopping a bleed. Long-term conditions need regular monitoring over time. Your gastroenterologist talks you through the options and agrees the next step with you.

Gastroenterology and hepatology at Mediclinic

We provide gastroenterology and hepatology care at hospitals and clinics across the UAE. You'll find our services in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Our endoscopy units carry out both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy. Because some of these procedures treat as well as diagnose, a problem can sometimes be found and dealt with in a single visit. Our teams also manage everyday digestive complaints and long-term liver conditions, and children are cared for through our paediatric gastroenterology service.