If you have gone to see your medical provider for stomach problems, among other digestive issues, you must have heard about endoscopy. Did you know your provider can use endoscopy in various ways, including treatment, diagnosis, and confirmation of results? It’s a minimally invasive procedure and relatively quick. Lima endoscopy specialist Ven Kottapalli, MD, and the team at GI Physicians Inc. use endoscopy to diagnose and treat various gastrointestinal issues. This piece will explain endoscopy, types, and how it works.
What is an endoscopy?
It’s a procedure to view the inside of your body, particularly the digestive system, for examination and treatment purposes. Endoscopy involves using an endoscope. An endoscope is a long thin tube that has an attached minute camera at one end.
Endoscopy allows your provider to observe your internal organs. Your provider may also use endoscopy to get a detailed image of your tissues or during a minor surgical procedure.
Your provider inserts the endoscope into your body through the mouth or anus. In other cases, your provider makes small incisions in your body, where they insert the endoscope.
Endoscopy enhances the diagnosis of various gastrointestinal issues and screening of health issues such as colon cancer. It has few risks involved, quick to perform, and provides precise images of your internal organs. Endoscopy also has various potential uses in medicine.
When do you need an endoscopy?
Your provider may recommend an endoscopy to determine the cause of the following symptoms.
- Blood in stool
- Severe diarrhea
- Chronic constipation
- Abdominal pain and cramping
What are the different types of endoscopy?
The team at GI Physicians Inc. offers the following types of endoscopy.
Colonoscopy
It’s a minimally invasive procedure where your provider inserts an endoscopy or colonoscopy in your rectum to view the inside of your large intestine. Colonoscopy allows the screening of colon cancer and in diagnosing health concerns.
Capsule endoscopy
It involves swallowing a small capsule that has a camera. The procedure gives an alternative option if you are uncomfortable with the tube insertion method. The capsule takes several pictures as it passes through the body to diagnose your problem.
Capsule endoscopy is effective in diagnosing issues with the small intestines compared to other types of endoscopy.
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
This type of endoscopy involves your provider inserting the endoscope through the mouth. It allows your provider to view the esophagus and stomach to diagnose various health issues. Your provider recommends upper gastrointestinal endoscopy when you have unexplained stomach pain.
What are the risks involved with endoscopy?
Endoscopy is a safe procedure but like most techniques, there may be some risks involved. The side effects depend on the area of examination.
- Feeling bloated after t
- Pain in the endoscopy area
- Internal bleeding
- Damage to the lining of the stomach
- Sore throat
- Mild cramping
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure with no downtime. After the procedure, you may experience various uncomfortable symptoms, which should go away after a short while. Your provider ensures you are comfortable throughout the procedure; hence there is nothing to worry about. Contact GI Physicians Inc. today to schedule your consultation.
