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What is endoscopy? Who does endoscopy?
Upper GI endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure done to examine the esophagus(food pipe), stomach and duodenum (proximal small Intestine). Endoscope is a thin flexible tube with a light source and camera. Gastroenterologists are the experts in performing endoscopy.
Who needs endoscopy? Why is endoscopy done?
Endoscopy is done in patients with any of these symptoms like acid reflux, swallowing difficulty, stomach ulcers, gastritis, unexplained abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, celiac disease and other upper digestive problems
Endoscopy is more accurate than other imaging modalities like X ray, USG or CT scan to diagnose ulcers or polyps or cancers related to the digestive tract.
Upper GI endoscopy is also done to treat bleeding (blood vomiting or black coloured stools) and remove polyps or early cancers.
How to prepare for endoscopy? How is endoscopy done?
At least 6 -8hours of fasting is required for endoscopy. If you have any cardiac (heart problems) or Hypertension or diabetes, you need to inform your gastroenterologist prior to the procedure. Endoscopy is done as an outpatient procedure, usually takes less than 30mins. During procedure the doctor:
Administers a numbing spray to your throat and inserts a mouthguard to protect your teeth.
Guides the endoscope through your mouth and down into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
Pumps air through the endoscope into the stomach and duodenum to make it easier to see organs.
Views images from the endoscope on a video monitor while looking for problems or performing treatments.
Removes small pieces of tissue to biopsy (examine in a lab), if necessary.
Performs treatments, if needed.
After the procedure, you may experience some bloating (a swollen feeling from the pumped-in air) and nausea (an anesthesia side effect).
With your doctor’s approval, you should be able to resume your usual activities, including working and driving, the next day.
Is there any risk in endoscopy?
Upper GI endoscopy is a safe and a relatively low risk procedure