Things You Need to Know about Endoscopy

An endoscopy is a nonsurgical medical procedure that involves putting in a long tube with a tiny camera on the top directly into the body of an individual to find out problems in internal organs or tissues. It is used to examine the upper part of the digestive system. A specialised physician or endoscopist carries out this process to detect and cure issues that may cause problems in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, the opening of the small intestine. The upper endoscopy is also known as an esophagogastroduodenoscopy. It is also used to perform minor surgeries and capturing the internal organs.

Why endoscopy is prescribed?

Investigate signs and symptoms

The procedure can help doctors to detect the causes and signs of digestive problems such as vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal bleeding. It is also prescribed by doctors in case a person is suffering from stomach pain, digestive tract bleeding, diarrhoea or chronic constipation, growths or polyps in the colon, and ulcers. 

Diagnose and collect samples

The doctors often perform an endoscopy to collect tissue samples (biopsy) to assess them for specific conditions such as problems like bleeding, diarrhoea, anaemia, inflammation, or cancers in the digestive tract.

Treatment 

The doctors can use some special tools through the endoscope or tube to treat problems in the digestive tract system, these may include widening a contracted esophagus, removing an odd object, and clipping off a polyp. 

Risks involved with endoscopy

Endoscopy is a safe procedure, however, there may be a few risks such as:

• Over-sedation
• Mild cramping
• Persistent pain in endoscopy part
• Internal bleeding, usually minor and often treatable by endoscopic operation
• Complications related to previous health conditions

People who are prescribed endoscopy will be asked to keep fast for 8 to 12 hours before the procedure to ensure that the stomach is clear. To make them comfortable and relaxed during the procedure, they are given sedatives. People might feel that they are mentally alert, but their memory and reaction times may be impaired due to sedatives. It is highly recommended to get this procedure done from a reputed endoscopist. For instance, if you live in Delhi, you can find the best endoscopist in Gangaram hospital.