Gastroenterologist in Seoul, in plain English

A gastroenterologist in Seoul you can talk to

Many people searching for a gastroenterologist in Seoul do not need a hospital department on day one. They need a doctor who understands the digestive system, listens to the whole story and decides what is worth testing. That is the role of our GI clinic in Apgujeong.

Dr. HyunSung Park is a board-certified internal medicine specialist in Korea with subspecialty training in gastroenterology. He is a graduate of the State University of New York, ECFMG certified, a former clinical professor at Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital and a member of the American Gastroenterological Association. He has treated patients in Korea since 2010 and runs every consultation one-to-one in English.

The aim of a first visit is simple: work out the likely cause of your symptoms, rule out anything serious, and leave with a plan you understand.

Digestive problems we commonly see

Our GI clinic covers the everyday and the persistent. We have separate pages for some topics, such as IBS, bloating and fatty liver, but the starting point is usually the same consultation.

Symptoms that come and go for months deserve as much attention as a sudden upset. Tell us when the problem started, what makes it better or worse, how your weight and appetite have changed, and whether anyone in your family has had bowel or stomach cancer, celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. These details often point to the cause faster than any single test.

• Heartburn, acid reflux and indigestion
• Gastritis and stomach ulcers, including H. pylori infection
• Food poisoning, traveler's diarrhea and gastroenteritis
• Constipation, diarrhea or a change in bowel habits
• Cramping, gas and IBS-type symptoms, and suspected food intolerance
• Abnormal liver blood tests and suspected gallbladder problems
• Hemorrhoids and other rectal symptoms (initial assessment, with surgical referral if needed)

What we can do in clinic, and what we refer

After a focused history and abdominal exam, Dr. Park may suggest targeted tests rather than a long panel. Depending on your symptoms, these can include a complete blood count, liver and kidney tests, pancreatic enzymes, inflammation markers, urinalysis, a stool test for hidden blood, and testing for H. pylori. Abdominal ultrasound can be arranged when the liver, gallbladder or kidneys need a closer look.

Treatment may include acid-reducing medicine, anti-nausea or antispasmodic medicine, antibiotics when there is a clear indication, and IV fluids if you are moderately dehydrated.

Endoscopy and colonoscopy are not performed at VEI Clinic. When a scope is needed, for example for reflux that does not settle with treatment, trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss, anemia or bleeding, we refer you to a hospital and give you an English summary to take with you.

Who this clinic suits, and who should go elsewhere

The GI clinic suits adults with new or ongoing digestive symptoms who are stable enough to walk in: expats who want continuity in English, travelers with a stomach upset, and people who have abnormal results from a health checkup and want them explained.

It is not the right place for a medical emergency, for anyone who needs an urgent scope, or for children's digestive problems, which are better seen by a pediatrician. If you already know you need a colonoscopy for screening, we can still help by reviewing your history and pointing you to a suitable hospital.

If you have a long-term digestive condition diagnosed abroad, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or Barrett's esophagus, we can help with interim care and prescriptions where appropriate, and arrange specialist hospital follow-up for monitoring that needs a scope.

Red flags: when to call 119

Some digestive symptoms need emergency care rather than a clinic visit. Call 119 or go to a hospital emergency room if you have any of the following.

• Severe, sudden or spreading abdominal pain, or a hard, rigid abdomen
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• Black, tarry stools or heavy bright red bleeding
• Persistent vomiting with signs of dehydration, such as dizziness or very little urine
• High fever with confusion, or yellowing of the skin or eyes with severe pain
• Chest pain or shortness of breath alongside stomach symptoms