Patients suffering from abdominal pain, bowel habit disturbances, nausea, weight loss, gallstones and rectal bleeding should discuss their symptoms with their GP who may then choose to seek the advice of a specialist doctor in this field.
Your doctor will take a full medical history and will normally perform a thorough clinical examination. Blood tests are frequently requested and in more complex cases other tests will be required. Additional tests such as ultrasound, CT or MRI scans may be required to help the specialist determine the cause of symptoms.
Often endoscopy and / or colonoscopy are recommended in order to make an accurate diagnosis. These tests allow the specialist to study the inside lining of the stomach, duodenum and colon which in conjunction with other tests will allow a diagnosis to be made and ensure the correct clinical management is offered.
Many gastroenterological conditions are caused by or related to diet choices. Gut health relies heavily of plant-based food choices. Medical research has shown that sub-optimal consumption of plant based dietary fibre is associated with an increased risk of developing bowel cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation / diverticular disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
The 2021 Gibraltar Public Health and Lifestyle Report noted that 82% of Gibraltar’s population do not eat the recommended five or more portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Our-Nations-Health-final-2021.pdf (healthygibraltar.org)
Our gastroenterology team at the Specialist Medical Clinic is available for consultation every week. Endoscopy and Colonoscopy are carried out routinely in the clinic and at our associated hospitals in Spain.
If you are suffering from abdominal pain or gastro-intestinal symptoms, please contact the clinic to book an appointment.

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Your Specialists
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Mr. David Deardon BM MD FRCS FRCS(Ed)
Chief Executive / General Surgeon & Endoscopist
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Dr Gareth Latin
Consultant Gastroenterologist
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Alfonso Antequera Perez
Consultant Upper GI and Bariatric Surgeon