Endoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure in which a flexible tube with a camera and light source is inserted through a very small incision in the mouth, throat, or anus. The endoscope can be used to examine any part of the digestive system, including the esophagus (gullet), stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and colon. It can also be used to examine abdominal organs such as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. The endoscope may also be used to test for ulcers in the esophagus or stomach. In some cases, it may be necessary to biopsy abnormal tissue for further examination. With Imperial Digestive Health Specialists PLLC, the endoscopy procedure offers more advantages over other procedures for diagnosing digestive problems:
Below is how endoscopy works and the benefits it offers.
How endoscopy works
An endoscopy procedure allows a doctor to examine the inside of your body. It is used to diagnose and treat many diseases. In endoscopy, a flexible tube called an endoscope is threaded through your digestive tract (gastrointestinal tract). The endoscope has a tiny camera at the tip that takes pictures of the inside of your body. The images are then sent to a microscope and viewed on a computer screen. Your doctor may also use other tools during an endoscopy. For example, they may inject air into your digestive tract to make bubbles appear on the endoscope picture.
The most common type of endoscopy is called gastroscopy or upper gastrointestinal series (UGS). This test uses an endoscope with a lighted tip and a thin tube called a gastroscope, which can be passed through your digestive tract from mouth to anus in about 15 minutes. A gastroscope allows doctors to see what is going on inside your stomach and esophagus without having to go all the way through them.
What are the benefits of endoscopy?
1. It is non-invasive
There is no need to cut or stitch the patient’s skin. The only thing that needs to be done is inserting a small flexible camera down the throat into the stomach and intestines for an image of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
2. It is safer than general anesthesia
Endoscopy can be done with local anesthesia, which makes it safer than general anesthesia. The patient will not have any memory of their experience after the procedure because they are asleep during the entire procedure.
3. Endoscopy can be done on an outpatient basis
If you want to schedule an appointment with your doctor but can’t leave work immediately, endoscopy may be a better option than traditional procedures. That is because it does not require hospitalization or staying overnight in the hospital emergency room (ER). You can go home after your appointment and take care of other things during your recovery period until the following week when you can return for another procedure if needed or scheduled. This is as long as it is scheduled within six months of the first procedure being performed.
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows the doctor to view the inside of your digestive system. This type of procedure is usually done using a thin tube with a camera at one end. The tube is passed down your throat, into the stomach, and then down into your small intestine. The procedure helps in diagnosing and treating several digestive problems. Some of these problems include peptic ulcers, gastritis, esophagitis, and more. If you would like to know if you are the right candidate for the procedure, contact Interventional Pain Management Associates today.
