Endoscopy
Last updated on July 17th, 2024 at 02:08 pm
Introduction
Endoscopy is an examination done by a professional health care provider by inserting a special flexible tube/probe with a light and a camera attached, to view the internal organs of the body in a color monitor.
Generally, endoscopy helps in the examination of the internal organs without having to cut large incisions, but sometimes incisions are necessary.
Why is an endoscopy done?
There are many reasons why doctors perform/test through endoscopy. Some of them are explained below.
- Investigate symptoms: Endoscopy may help doctors investigate/check the cause of problems in the internal organs and their symptoms (such as vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, etc.).
- Diagnosis of problems/symptoms: Doctors may perform an endoscopy to take a small sample of tissues of the internal organs (also called an endoscopic biopsy).
- Treatment: Doctors may make use of endoscopy to treat problems by inserting a special probe directly inside of your body (such as stopping bleeding in the stomach through heat, etc.).
- In addition to other tests: Sometimes doctors may perform this test/examination in addition/parallel to the performance of other tests (such as ultrasound, MRI, blood test, etc.) to examine, diagnose, and treat the illness/disease.
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How to prepare for an endoscopy and how is it performed?
Don’t worry, your doctor will provide you with step-by-step instructions on what to do before, during, and after the examination as well as how is it performed.
- Fasting: For examination of the digestive system(or at least the upper digestive tract through endoscopy), you may need to fast for about 6-8 hours before performing the test (please ask your doctor for your specific time).
Generally, clear liquid (such as water and/or juice) is allowed to be eaten.
- Getting sedation/laxatives: Generally, many endoscopic examinations are performed by putting the patient to sleep with laxative/ sedation for their comfort.
You will be knocked out for an hour or two after taking sedation, and during that time, the examination is safely performed by the doctors.
As for how it is performed, generally, the probe is inserted into the body through the mouth or anus or through small incisions (depends upon what kind of examination is being performed and for what purpose).
It is completely safe, but sometimes some complications may arise, such as:
- Thinning/tearing of the gut wall
- Risk of bleeding especially while the tissues are being removed with it
- Patient body’s reaction/allergic reaction to the sedation/laxatives
- Infection
- Lingering pain in the endoscope area
- Chest pain, etc.
But, it is important to note that these complications can be solved/cured easily.
PS: Disclosing facts, such as any medication you might be taking, any allergies you might have, medical histories, etc. can help in avoiding the complications mentioned above.
