A health coach (also called a wellness coach or nurse coach) works with you to help you make changes that improve your overall wellbeing. They understand that changing habits can be challenging. They can help you figure out what obstacles might get in the way of your goals, like having limited access to healthy foods or working two jobs.
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology is a branch of medicine that focuses on diseases of the digestive tract and liver. These include the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, colon, anus, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts.
If your primary care doctor notices something unusual with your gastrointestinal tract, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist. These specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of issues, from irritable bowel syndrome to hepatitis C. They also perform endoscopic procedures, in which they use specialized instruments to view your digestive tract.
You can find a gastroenterologist at a hospital, clinic or private office. They may ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. They might gently insert a lubricated finger into your rectum or anus and feel for swelling, lumps or other abnormalities. You can also look for a gastroenterologist who accepts your health insurance. Most gastroenterologists have 5-6 years of specialized training after medical school. Some even choose to sub-specialize in hepatology, which is the study of the liver.
Endoscopy
An endoscopy lets your doctor look inside a body passageway or opening without having to make a large incision. It involves a long, thin tube with a tiny camera at the tip. The tip may have a tool to take a sample of tissue for biopsy, or to fix problems in the digestive tract (such as placing tubes, called stents, to open blocked passageways).
An exam room nurse will give you liquid medicine to gargle or spray in your throat to prevent gagging during the procedure. Gentle air pressure is fed through the endoscope to inflate your digestive tract, which makes it easier to see.
Most endoscopies are done under sedation, which means you won't remember the procedure afterward. Depending on the type of endoscopy, you'll be monitored for about an hour afterward while the effects of the sedation wear off. You'll need to arrange for someone to drive you home, because you'll still be feeling sleepy and might have trouble concentrating. For more details please visit Faraz Berjis - Functional Health Coach
Nutritional Counseling
Nutritional counseling is a two-way interaction in which a health professional explains important information about food and nutrition and helps patients make healthy choices. It includes a dietary assessment, identification of patient goals and an analysis of barriers to changing behavior. It is also a process of developing trust and respect between the patient and the counsellor.
Nutrition counseling can help people who have special dietary needs due to health conditions, age or a chronic disease. It is usually performed by dietitians, but can be performed by other healthcare professionals as well.
A nutritional counselor can help people develop a better relationship with food by helping them learn how to balance their diet, eat in moderation and retrain their eating habits. It is also often covered by insurance as a preventative service. Nutritional counseling can be especially helpful to those struggling with an eating disorder. It allows them to take a deep dive into their past, current and future relationship with food.