What is Endoscopy?
Endoscopy is a minimally-invasive diagnostic procedure to
visually examine the interior of a hollow body organ by use
of an endoscope. The endoscope may have a rigid or a
flexible tube and provide an image for inspection of lesions
and other surface conditions. It also enables a chance to
take biopsies, as well as the retrieval of foreign objects.
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Effects of Endoscopy
An endoscopy procedure is used to diagnose various
conditions by close examination of an internal organ and
other body structures. Endoscopy is used to perform
therapeutic procedures, like the treatment of bleeding
lesions, removal of colon polyps, or to guide therapy and
repair for procedures like the removal of torn cartilage
from the bearing surfaces of a joint.
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Candidates for Endoscopy
Endoscopies are done to check the gullet or esophagus,
duodenum, stomach and large bowel or colon. This procedure
is usually done by doctors to check any abnormalities like
bleeding, growths or difficulty in swallowing. Endoscopy
also gives them a chance to collect samples of any abnormal
looking tissues.
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Your
Consultation
The patient will be advised not to eat or drink at least
about eight hours before the procedure so that the stomach
and duodenum are empty. In the hospital, the patient will
be asked to don a hospital gown for this procedure to avoid
messing up the clothes. Once ready, the patient will get
onto the bed or X-ray couch and either given a sedative
injection or spray the back of the throat to numb it.
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The Endoscopy
Procedure
This procedure can be done in an outpatient basis.
Patients are given the choice between having the test while
awake or after being injected with a sedative to make them
drowsy.
The doctor will begin the procedure once the sedative or
throat spray has worked, passing the endoscope tube down
your throat and to the area to be investigated. If you are
awake, you will be asked to swallow as the tube goes down.
Those who are sedated would not remember the process
afterwards. The doctor may take samples of the tissues or
biopsies if there are any abnormalities to have the
laboratory check it closely.
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Recovery
You will be asked to rest right after the procedure. The
sedative will basically make you forget the procedure once
you wake up. You can go home on that same day.
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Risks
Endoscopy runs the risk of bleeding, pain or infection.
Gastrointestinal endoscopy also runs a risk of perforation
or tearing of the intestinal wall. Your breathing, blood
pressure, heart rate and oxygen level will be monitored
during the procedure to check for reactions to the
anesthesia which rarely occur.
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q:
What is endoscopy?
A:
Endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure to visually examine the
interior of a hollow body organ by use of an endoscope. The
endoscope may have a rigid or a flexible tube and provide an
image for inspection, also enabling a chance to take
biopsies and also the retrieval of foreign objects.
Q:
What is an endoscope?
A:
An endoscope is a medical instrument which is actually a
camera mounted on a flexible tube. Smaller instruments are
used to take samples or biopsies of suspicious tissues
through the endoscope. Endoscopes vary and are named in
relation to the organs or areas they explore.
Q:
What do I need to do before the procedure?
A:
Eight hours before the procedure, you are advised not to eat
or drink so that your stomach and duodenum are empty. You
may also be asked to clear the colon of stool using enemas
or laxatives. These instructions are all given to you
beforehand and may arrive with the appointment letter.
Q:
How will the test feel?
A:
Most endoscopy patients prefer the use of a sedative
injection before the procedure, making them feel less
discomfort and also forget the whole process upon waking.
Only during an endoscopic ultrasound of the rectum is
sedation not usually administered. The probe used will
create a sensation of the need to move the bowels, but that
should not cause the patient any pain.
Q:
Why is an endoscopy performed?
A:
An endoscopy is performed to check for signs and symptoms
like bleeding, difficulty swallowing, pain and a change in
bowel habits. This procedure gives doctors a chance to get
tissue samples or biopsies which they can use to find out
what’s causing the abnormalities. An endoscopy of the colon
may be performed to screen for colon polyps and colon
cancer, while an endoscopic ultrasound of the GI tract may
be used to give different information about an organ than
those found during a standard endoscopy.
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