An endoscopy is a procedure in which your doctor uses special instruments to view and operate on your body’s internal organs and vessels. It allows surgeons to see problems in your body without having to make large incisions. A surgeon inserts an endoscope through a small incision or opening in the body, such as the mouth. An endoscope is a flexible tube with a camera attached that you can use to see your doctor. Your doctor may use forceps and scissors on the endoscope to operate on or remove
tissue for biopsy.
Why do I need an endoscopy?
Endoscopy permits your doctor to visually examine an organ without having to make a big incision. A screen in the operating room allows the doctor to see exactly what the endoscope sees.
Endoscope is usually used to:
- Help your doctor determine the cause of any abnormal symptoms you are having
- Take a small sample of tissue, which can then be sent to a laboratory for further testing; this is called an endoscopic biopsy
- Help your doctor see inside your body during a surgical procedure, e.g. B. in the repair of a stomach ulcer or the removal of gallstones or tumors.
Your doctor may order an endoscopy if you have symptoms of any of the following:
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as B. Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease
- gastric ulcer
- chronic constipation
- pancreatitis
- gallstones
- unexplained bleeding in the digestive tract
- tumors
- infections
- obstruction of the esophagus
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- hiatus hernia
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
- blood in the urine
- other problems with the digestive tract.
Your doctor will review your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and may order some blood tests before an endoscopy. These tests help your doctor better understand the possible cause of your symptoms. These tests can also help them determine if problems can be treated without endoscopy or surgery.
What are the latest techniques in endoscopy technology?
Like most technologies, endoscopy is constantly evolving. Newer generations of endoscopes use high-definition imaging to create images with incredible detail. Innovative techniques also combine endoscopy with imaging procedures or surgical interventions. These are some examples of the latest technologies in endoscopy.
Capsule Endoscopy
A revolutionary procedure called capsule endoscopy can be used when other tests are inconclusive. For a capsule endoscopy, you swallow a small pill with a small camera inside.
The capsule passes through your digestive tract without causing you any discomfort, creating thousands of images of your intestines as you go.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) ERCP combines X-rays with upper GI endoscopy to diagnose or treat problems with the bile and pancreatic ducts.
Chromoendoscopy
Chromoendoscopy is a technique that uses a special stain during an endoscopic procedure or staining of the intestinal mucosa is used. The dye helps the doctor see better if there is anything abnormal in the intestinal lining.
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) EUS uses ultrasound along with an endoscopy. This allows doctors to see organs and other structures that are not normally visible with a standard endoscopy. A thin needle can then be inserted into the organ or structure to take out some tissue for viewing under a microscope. This procedure is called fine needle aspiration.
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)
EMR is a technique that doctors use to remove cancerous tissue in the digestive tract. During EMR, a needle is inserted through the endoscope to inject a liquid under the abnormal tissue. This helps separate the cancerous tissue from the other layers, so it can be more easily removed.
Narrow Band Imaging (NBI)NBI uses a special filter to help create more contrast between the vessels and the mucosa.
What happens after an endoscopy?
Most endoscopy procedures are outpatient procedures. It is meant that you can go home the same day. Your doctor will close the cuts with stitches and dress them up properly immediately after the procedure. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to take care of this wound yourself. After that, you’ll probably have to wait an hour or two in the hospital for the sedation to wear off. A friend or family member will drive you home. If you are at home, you should spend the rest of the day with rest. Some procedures may make you a little uncomfortable. You may need some time to feel well enough to go about your daily activities.
For example, after an upper GI endoscopy, you may have a sore throat and need to eat soft foods for a few days. You can also additionally have blood for your urine after a cystoscopy to observe your bladder. This must by skip inside 24 hours Trusted Source, however you must touch your physician if it persists. If your doctor suspects a cancerous growth, they will perform a biopsy during your endoscopy. The results will take a few days.
Your doctor will discuss the results with you once they are received from the laboratory.
Different between Colonoscopy and Endoscopy
Colonoscopy vs. Endoscopy: What’s the Difference? If you’ve had gastrointestinal issues, your doctor may have recommended a colonoscopy or endoscopy. Although both procedures treat problems in the same area of ​​the body, they are used to observing and diagnose different medical symptoms. In this post, we examine the differences between the two methods and how to use them.
Colonoscopy vs Endoscopy: What’s the Difference?
When one speaks of an endoscopy, one often means an upper endoscopy. This is a non-surgical procedure that a doctor uses to examine the digestive tract. A colonoscopy falls under the general term of an endoscopy.
An upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy differ from one another by their performance; an upper endoscopy is performed through the month, while a colonoscopy can be performed through the rectum. Both procedures use an endoscope, a 4-foot tube about ½ inch in diameter, with a camera on one end to take pictures.
Colonoscopy vs. Endoscopy: When Do You Need an Endoscopy?
An upper endoscopy is used when your doctor, usually a gastroenterologist, needs to examine the upper part of your
gastrointestinal tract: the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.
In the case of any colonoscopy, on the other hand, your doctor will decide whether to examine your colon up to the appendix, the beginning of your colon, or to the last section of your small intestine, the ileum. Your doctor can go as far as the ileum when checking for conditions like Crohn’s disease, but you shouldn’t have to go through the appendix to check for colon cancer. Your doctor may recommend an endoscopy if you have any of the following symptoms: Stomach pain Bleeding from the digestive tract
Persistent constipation or diarrhea Gastritis (stomach irritation)
Colonoscopy versus Endoscopy: When is a Colonoscopy Necessary?
Your doctor will order a colonoscopy to check for colon cancer, more commonly known as colon cancer. If you have diarrhea, constipation, incessant gas, or cramps, your doctor will first want to rule out colon cancer. These symptoms appear when the cancer is in its later stages. For this reason, people over the age of 50 are recommended to have a regular colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening every 10 years, even if they are not at high risk. You may be considered a high-risk patient if you are: male, African American, have a history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease , are overweight, or smoke cigarettes. You’re more likely to get a perforation after a colonoscopy if you’ve been diagnosed with diverticulosis, when pockets form in the walls of your digestive tract.
Furthermore, you should also let your doctor know if you are pregnant, have lung or heart disease, or have any allergies to any medication. If you’re taking blood-thinning medication, it’s important to tell your doctor, as your dose may need to be adjusted before the procedure. If you have any of the following symptoms or are concerned about them, your doctor will likely recommend a colonoscopy: colon cancer bloody stools rectal bleeding stool changes
Colonoscopy and Endoscopy: how are they performed?
The main difference between an endoscopy and a colonoscopy can be seen where the endoscope enters the body. For an upper endoscopy procedure, you will first be given sedation, usually through an IV fluid. The endoscope is then inserted through the mouth and down the throat to view the esophagus, stomach, and the upper part of the small intestine, the duodenum.
Upper endoscopy is a non-surgical procedure, but it is also a treatment; At this point, the devices can be passed through the endoscope to block any bleeding. Likewise, a colonoscopy begins with sedation. Your doctor would instruct you to lie on your left side. You may be asked to change position throughout the process to make it easier to navigate the tube through your rectum to the appendix. Once the endoscope reaches the cecum, your doctor will begin to slowly withdraw the endoscope to use the camera at the end of the endoscope to see any abnormalities.
Meanwhile, your doctor will blow air into your colon to help you see more clearly. Some cramping may occur during the procedure, but this is normal. Both the colonoscopy and the endoscopy can take between 30 and 60 minutes. Your gastroenterologist may decide to perform a biopsy to further investigate polyps, small growths, or other abnormalities.
In this case, a small portion of the area of ​​interest is removed for analysis. This can go on increasing the cost of your endoscopy or colonoscopy. Be sure to ask how much you will have to pay if your doctor orders a biopsy. Knowing what to expect before your medical procedure can help you budget for your care and save money. C
Colonoscopy vs. Endoscopy: how should you prepare?
Preparing for an endoscopic procedure is much less intensive than preparing for a colonoscopy. Your doctor will ask you to fast for 6 to 8 hours before the procedure, including water. Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications, especially blood thinners, or other medical conditions. In comparison, a colonoscopy requires your gastrointestinal tract to be clean, which means you need to clean it several days before the procedure.
You will be asked to drink a large quantity of a cleansing solution or simply a liquid diet containing laxatives. Your colon needs to be completely clean for your doctor to properly examine it. You will be given specific instructions on how to clean before a colonoscopy. You must also have at least one enema, although most patients have two. Your doctor will give you clear instructions on how to use an enema correctly.
Colonoscopy vs. Endoscopy: What Next?
When you’ve had your endoscopy or colonoscopy, you might be wondering: what’s next? First, make sure you come to your appointment with someone to drive you home. Even if you feel awake after the procedure, do not drive.
Sedation can impair your judgement, slow your reaction time and make you drowsy. Serious complications are very rare with both procedures. Slight bleeding can occur after a colonoscopy, as can be cramping or bloating immediately after a colonoscopy. These are temporary and should not be a cause for concern. You can eat normally again immediately.
Tell your doctor if you feel you are bleeding excessively, especially prolonged rectal bleeding. If you have severe cramps, fever, or chills, tell your doctor right away. Otherwise, you should be feeling up-to-date and normal within a few days.
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