A gastroenterologist is a healthcare professional who has been educated and trained to treat patients who are experiencing health problems or have diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract and liver. They also diagnose and treat diseases that affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver.

An internist or Internal Medicine doctor is someone who specializes in diagnosing and treating illnesses, diseases, and health problems. Most internists are also primary care doctors and treat patients on a regular basis. They can diagnose and treat common illnesses or more serious problems. Most people see an internist regularly. Those with chronic illnesses may do so on a monthly or even weekly basis. Internists are the most common types of doctors.

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has gone through additional training to provide more advanced medical and diagnostic care to patients with all different kinds of illnesses. These medical professionals generally hold at least a master’s degree, so they have a comprehensive basis of medical knowledge to help patients suffering from chronic and acute conditions. They may work in hospitals, intensive care units, hospice centers, and even doctor’s offices, depending on their specialty.