Gastroenterology in Poland

Gastroenterology is the field of medicine focused on the normal function and diseases of the digestive system or the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, liver, as well as colon and rectum. Doctors who specialize in gastroenterology are called gastroenterologists. They are trained to diagnose and treat conditions of the digestive system. Some of the conditions that these specialists can treat include:

• Ulcers
• Acid reflux
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Polyps or growth that can occur in the large intestine (colon)
• Hepatitis C
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• Bloody stool
• Hemorrhoids
• Colon and bowel cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Colitis
• Pancreatitis 

While gastroenterologists can treat diseases of the digestive system, they do not perform surgery. If surgery is required they will work with or refer patients to a gastrointestinal surgeon. The following are a range of nonsurgical procedures that gastroenterologists perform:

• Colonoscopy to detect colon polyps and colon cancer
• Endoscopic ultrasound to examine the upper and lower GI tract
• Sigmoidoscopy to assess blood loss or pain in the bowel
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to identify tumors, gallstones, or scar tissue in the bile duct
• Capsule endoscopy to examine the small intestine
• Liver biopsy to examine fibrosis and inflammation
• Polypectomy to remove a polyp.

How Long Should I Stay in Poland?

The type of procedure that you undergo determines your length of stay in Poland. Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can leave the hospital or clinic on the same day. However, you generally need to stay in Poland for around a week for follow up appointments and to let your body recover before you can travel. If you undergo a diagnostic procedure, your doctor will discuss the results and create a treatment plan during the follow-up appointment.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time for gastroenterology procedures range from a day to 2 weeks, or sometimes longer, depending on the type of procedure. During the recovery period, it is important to avoid any strenuous activities. Your gastroenterologist will let you know the specific time you can resume your normal activities, go back to work, and perform vigorous exercises.

What Aftercare is Required?

It is crucial that you follow all of the instructions closely, to prevent the problem from getting worse or from reoccurring, you may need to make some dietary and lifestyle changes. You may also need to attend follow-up checkups to monitor your condition. You can have the checkups at home with your local doctor, or with your gastroenterologist in Poland.

What's the Success Rate?

Advances in gastroenterology have increased the safety and success rate of treatments. The diagnostic procedures offer high accuracy in finding problems within the gastrointestinal tract, and the treatments are found to be highly successful to treat conditions in the digestive system. For example, a colonoscopy now has a 94% success rate in capturing all colorectal cancer. Still, there are some risks to the procedures that you will need to be aware of, such as a tear in the intestine’s lining, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to the equipment or medication used during the procedure, organ perforation, infection, and incomplete removal (for removal of polyps).

Are there Alternatives?

In most cases, there is no alternative to seeing a gastroenterologist if you experience problems in your digestive system and it is found to be caused by something else that is outside the gastroenterologists’ scope of practice, they will refer you to the relevant specialist.

Gastroenterology in and around Poland

About Poland

Poland, as one of Central Europe's most expansive nations, has only recently begun to make its mark as a key player in the realm of Medical Tourism. Being particularly appealing to tourists from neighboring regions, many visitors arrive seeking Gastroenterology procedures. Poland's open border policy further simplifies travel between its territory and other countries within the European Union (EU), making it an accessible destination for many.

The Polish healthcare system comprises a blend of public and private establishments. While none of these facilities hold JCI accreditation, they are endorsed by local accreditations issued by the Polish Ministry of Health. Their recognition within the European Union testifies to the quality and reliability of these certifying bodies.

In Poland, the most frequently sought-after medical procedures encompass dental, cosmetic, orthopedic, and bariatric treatments. Impressively, the costs of these treatments are significantly lower than what one would expect to pay in Poland's Western European counterparts. Beyond Poland's vibrant capital, Warsaw, cities such as Krakow, Jelenia Gora, and Wroclaw have emerged as favored destinations among medical tourists.

Popular Parts of Poland

Poland, with a population exceeding 38.5 million, is a nation steeped in rich history and recognized for its whopping fourteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Despite frequently being overshadowed in the realm of tourism, the country in reality, boasts of a multitude of alluring attractions waiting to be explored and appreciated.

• Warsaw, Poland’s capital provides tourists with a mix of old and new. Restored Gothic buildings and modern glass structures stand side by side. The city offers a scenic view. Wander around the streets of Old Town to see the oldest part of the city. Warsaw was also the former home of Frederic François Chopin; tourists can retrace his steps by visiting Saxon Garden, where Chopin’s family used to live next door.
• Krakow is Poland’s former capital. The city is full of charms; from cobbled streets, beautiful squares, pretty buildings, churches, and a castle. Wawel Castle, located in the Old Town area, is an architectural wonder with medieval, baroque, and renaissance style. The city has numerous museums that provide insights into its fascinating history.
• Gdansk stands as one of the country's most breathtaking seaside cities. It houses some of the finest museums in Poland and is renowned for its thriving nightlife and diverse culinary scene. Visitors are encouraged to admire the vibrant street art, delve into history at the numerous museums, explore the charms of the Old Town, and embark on a gastronomic adventure with a food tour in Gdynia. In a nutshell, Gdansk offers a rich and memorable travel experience.
• Poznan will amaze tourists once they see its vibrant, playful, and unique treasures. As the birthplace of the Polish nation, the city offers many historical attractions as well as urban green spaces. Tour the Lech Brewery to learn more about the brewing process of beer visit the Old Market Square and find an array of bars and food stalls.
• Wroclaw is not as popular as other cities in Poland. It’s actually full of attractions, incredible architecture, and hidden gems. Tourists will find dwarf statues throughout the city and can go on the dwarf trail. Market Square is the city’s centerpiece that blends colorful buildings and gives a scenic view, especially in winters.

Weather and Climate in Poland

Poland has a temperate climate and sometimes experiences rough weather. Spring starts in late March to May. The season is characterized by a wave of warmer weather with less frequent rain. It is one of the best times to visit Poland because the temperature is comfortable.

Poland's summer season extends from June until August and brings with it a certain unpredictability in weather patterns. The general climate is warm, with temperatures hovering between 18 to 30°C. Amidst sunny spells and elevated temperatures, frequent rain showers and storms are also common phenomena. This period marks the peak of the tourism season and tourists can expect prices to see a corresponding increase. Despite the occasional rains, summer promises a delightful time to experience Poland in all its warmth.

September to November is Autumn, the season where the temperature starts to drop. Late September and October are still warm, while November is cold and wet. Sunny days during this season are known as “Polish Golden Autumn.”

Winter in Poland, which runs from December until early March, can be exceedingly cold. Temperatures often tumble to an average range of 0 to -10°C and can even drop as low as -20°C. Despite the chilly conditions, this is actually the peak season for mountain ski resorts, attracting numerous enthusiasts to take advantage of Poland's picturesque winter landscapes.

Getting Around in Poland

Most international flights arrive at Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport. It’s Poland’s largest and busiest airport. The airport serves domestic and has International connections with many cities around the world. It is the hub for LOT Polish Airlines. Budget airlines such as Wizz Air and EasyJet also operate flights from this airport. There is a smaller airport, Warsaw Modlin Airport, which handles more budget airlines.

To get to the city center, bus, taxi, and train are available. There are five public buses that stop at Warsaw’s city center; bus 175, bus 188, bus 148, bus 331, and bus N32 (night bus). Taxis are available, but always make sure to use licensed taxi services. The fare from the airport to the city center is around 40 PLN. Chopin Airport is linked to Legionowo and Sulejówek Miłosna by a railway service. Tourists can buy ZTM tickets to ride the bus and train which can be purchased at the Passenger Information Point in the arrivals hall, ticket machines at bus stops and train station entrance, or from bus drivers.

Ample public transportation options simplify getting around in Poland. Trains, in particular, offer an incredibly budget-friendly means of travel. For instance, the journey from Krakow to Warsaw is set to cost approximately 45 PLN and spans a duration of around three hours. Meanwhile, a slightly longer five-hour train journey from Warsaw to Gdansk can be undertaken at a reasonable fare of around 65 PLN. Such connectivity and affordability make exploration within Poland both easy and economical.

Within the cities, local buses in the central zone cost around 4 PLN (a single-fare ticket). Major cities offer one-day tickets for 20 PLN. Taxis are relatively cheap and tourists can get around the city quickly. Taxis are metered and usually start at around 6 PLN to 8 PLN. Unlicensed taxi drivers are most likely to cheat and charge more. There are taxis that put a fake phone number in their cars, be careful and ask your hotel staff for the number of the taxi company they have used previously. Cycling is a good way to explore the scenery in Poland. There are many bike rentals around the country, always be aware of drivers since some are careless.

For cities like Krakow, tourists are highly recommended to secure tourist cards. These cards provide unlimited access to public transportation for a period of one to three days. In addition, they also offer free or discounted admission to several museums. This is a great bargains that grants tourists flexibility and sizable savings to fully relish their visit.

Tourist Visas in Poland

Poland is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and several other countries do not need to obtain a visa and can stay in Poland for up to 90 days. EU citizens do not need a visa and can stay indefinitely. Other nationalities must check with their local Polish embassy. All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months.

Additional Information about Visa in Poland:

• It is important to note that the visa requirements for Poland can change at any time, so it is always best to check with the Polish embassy or consulate in your home country before you travel.
• If you are planning to stay in Poland for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa. You can do this at the Polish embassy or consulate in your home country.
• When applying for a visa, you will need to provide a number of documents, including a valid passport, proof of travel insurance, and proof of financial means.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: the official currency is the Polish złoty (PLN). 1 USD converts to 4.21 PLN.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are available in cities and towns; even small villages should have at least one. The best way to exchange rates is at banks or withdrawing money from ATMs. Credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in most hotels and restaurants. Always carry small cash and coins for shops and cafes. Tipping in Poland is mostly optional. In restaurants, 10% is the standard. Room-service staff and porters in hotels expect to be tipped. Taxis don’t expect tips.
3. Local Language: The official language is Polish. Most of the locals in the tourist areas will have decent English. Foreign tourists should be aware that all official information including street signs and directions are only written in Polish.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Christianity is the largest religion in Poland with 87.5% of the population identified as Roman Catholic.
5. Public Holidays: Poland celebrates major Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter. The country hosts many festivals throughout the year such as St. Dominik’s Fair every July to August, Light & Move Festival every October, and Ice Festival every December.