During an upper endoscopy, an endoscope is easily passed through the mouth and throat and into the esophagus”

Emobileclinic Trending Topic: ENDOSCOPY

Emobileclinic Specialist

An endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure used to examine a person’s digestive tract and also to examine the interior surfaces of an organ or tissue. Endoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic medical procedure.  It involves examining the inside of a person’s body using an endoscope which is a medical device consisting of a long, thin, flexible (or rigid) tube which has a light and a video camera.

During an upper endoscopy, an endoscope is easily passed through the mouth and throat and into the esophagus, allowing the doctor to view the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine.

Similarly, endoscopes can be passed into the large intestine (colon) through the rectum to examine this area of the intestine.

Why Do I Need an Endoscopy?

If you experience any of the following:

Stomach pain

Ulcer, gastritis, or difficulty swallowing

Digestive tract bleeding

Changes in bowel habits (chronic constipation or diarrhea)

Polyps or growths in the colon

Breathing disorders

Urinary tract infections.

Uses of Endoscopy

To treat a digestive tract problem ableeding.

For Biopsy

Removal of Polyps to prevent the development of colon cancer.

Removal of gallstones that have passed outside the gallbladder and into the bile duct.

Is Endoscopy Safe?

Overall, endoscopy is very safe; however, the procedure does have a few potential complications, which may include:

Perforation (tear in the gut wall)

Reaction to sedation

Infection

Bleeding

Pancreatitis as a result of ERCP

How Do I Prepare for Endoscopy?

Stay off food for 6-8 hours before the procedure

Use of laxatives 24 hours before the procedure

You will be sedated.

Specialized endoscopes

Bronchoscopes – they examine the air passages and the lungs.

Colonoscopes – they examine the colon.

Gastroscopes – they examine the small intestine, stomach and esophagus (throat).

Arthroscopes – they examine the joints.

Hysteroscopes – they examine a woman’s uterus.

Cystoscopes – they examine the urinary bladder

Amnioscopy – examination of the amniotic cavity and fetus.

Arthroscopy – examination of the joints.

Colposcopy – examination of the cervix and the tissues of the vagina and vulva.

EGD (Esophageal Gastroduodenoscopy), alsoknown as panendoscopy – examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.

Fetoscopy – examination of the fetus.

Laparoscopy – a small incision to examine the abdominal cavity.

Laryngoscopy – examination of the back of the throat, including the voice box (larynx) and vocal cords.

Proctoscopy – examination of the rectum and the end of the colon.

Rhinoscopy – examination of the inside of the nose.

Thoracoscopy – examination of the lungs or other structures in the chest cavity.