Ronald J. Barkin, MD

Gastroenterologist

Dr. Ronald J. Barkin is a Gastroenterologist in Alexandria, VA with special training and skill in preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions of the tongue, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, intestines, anus, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, and bile ducts. As a Gastroenterologist, Ronald J. Barkin, MD performs diagnostics and treatments to identify and address digestive system dysfunctions. Gastroenterology is a medical specialty focused on digestive (gastrointestinal) tract care. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Gastroenterologists include acid reflux, hepatitis C, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, pancreatitis, jaundice, colon polyps, and colon cancer. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Gastroenterologists include endoscopic ultrasounds, colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, liver biopsies, esophagus and intestine dialation, surgical hemostasis, and cancer tumor extraction.

An internist who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive organs including the stomach, bowels, liver and gallbladder. This specialist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer and jaundice and performs complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using endoscopes to visualize internal organs.

Hepatologist

Dr. Ronald J. Barkin is a Hepatologist in Alexandria, VA with special training and skill in treating diseases of the liver and connected systems. As a Hepatologist, Ronald J. Barkin, MD performs diagnosis and treatment of liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic disorders. Hepatology is a subspecialty of gastroenterology. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Hepatologists include viral hepatitis and diseases related to alcohol, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and liver cancers. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Hepatologists include percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, liver biopsy, and liver transplant.

The discipline of Hepatology encompasses the structure, function, and diseases of the liver and biliary tract. The American Board of Internal Medicine considers Hepatology part of the subspecialty of gastroenterology. Physicians who identify themselves as Hepatologists usually, but not always, have been trained in gastrointestinal programs.