Gastroenterology is the study of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the body. A gastroenterologist diagnoses and treats diseases of the digestive organs, including the stomach, esophagus, intestines, pancreas, liver and gallbladder. This specialist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer in the GI tract, and jaundice. A gastroenterologist also performs complex diagnostic procedures, including the use of endoscopes to see and treat internal organs.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are Hemorrhoids, Hiatal Hernia, Digestive Disorders, heartburn, Rectal Bleeding, Ulcer, Ostomy Care, Polyps, colon cancer, Crohn's Disease, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Constipation, acid reflux, Bowel Diseases, cystic fibrosis, Ulcerative Colitis, Nausea, Appendicitis, and Colitis.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including GERD Services, abdominal surgery, Appendectomy, Cholecystectomy, laparoscopy, Liver Transplantation, and Cholecystography.

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including endoscopy, Colonoscopy, Barium Enema, Liver Biopsy, Sigmoidoscopy, Barium Swallow, Abdominal Ultrasound, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), Gallbladder Scan, Upper Gastrointestinal Series, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, Radiographic X-Ray, Proctoscopy, Pancreas Scan, Abdominal Angiogram, Anoscopy, Liver Scan, and Abdominal X-rays.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Arkansas has 97 practicing gastroenterologists. Broken out by city, gastroenterology doctor density in Benton is 2, in Bentonville is 5, in Conway is 3, in El Dorado is 1, in Fayetteville is 7, in Fort Smith is 10, in Hope is 1, in Hot Springs is 5, in Hot Springs National Park is 5, in Jonesboro is 6, in Little Rock is 50, in Lowell is 3, in Mountain Home is 2, in North Little Rock is 7, in Paragould is 1, in Pine Bluff is 4, in Prescott is 1, in Rancho Mirage is 1, in Rogers is 1, in Russellville is 1, in Springdale is 2, in Van Buren is 1, and in West Memphis is 1.

Arkansas is home to many lakes and rivers for those interested in fishing and water sports. Cruise up the Arkansas River, fish in the White River of the Ozark Mountains, or drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi River Delta. Tour Arkansas wine country in the Altus area, step inside a log cabin from the 1800s in southern Arkansas, or hike nature trails in Hot Springs National Park. Arkansas’ population is 2,779,154. Little Rock is Arkansas’ capital city, and has numerous restaurants, museums, golfing, and an extensive park system. Visit the monument that marks the initial point for surveys of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Arkansas has a population of 2,779,154. Of this population, 662,920 are under the age of 18 and 381,547 are at or above the age of 65.