Endoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used to visualize the interior of the body. An endoscopy clinic is a long, thin tube with a light and camera at the end. The camera allows the doctor to see inside the body while the light illuminates the area.
Endoscopy can be used to examine the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and biliary system (liver, gallbladder, and pancreas). This procedure is also called upper endoscopy or lower endoscopy depending on which part of the body is being examined.
Endoscopy is performed for many reasons. It can be used to diagnose a wide variety of conditions such as GERD, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, cancer, and many more. It can also be used to treat certain conditions such as bleeding ulcers and blockages. In some cases, biopsies (tissue samples) can be taken during endoscopy.
Types of Endoscopes
There are many different types of endoscopes that can be used depending on which part of the body is being examined. The most common type of endoscope is the gastroscope which is used to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine).
A colono scope is a type of endoscope that is used to examine the large intestine (colon) and rectum. A sigmoido scope is a shorter version of a colono scope that is used to examine only the lower part of the large intestine (sigmoid colon).
An upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscope is another type of gastro scope that is slightly longer so it can reach further into the small intestine. A bronchoscope is a type of endoscope that is used to examine the airways (trachea and bronchi) and lungs. ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancrea to graphy) uses a specialized type of endoscope called a duodeno scope to examine the biliary system (liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and bile ducts).
How Is an Endoscopy Performed?
An endoscopy usually takes 30 minutes to an hour to complete. You will be given sedation through an IV in your arm before the procedure begins. The sedation will help you relax and may make you feel drowsy but you will still be able to respond to questions from your doctor.
Once you are sedated, your doctor will insert the endoscope through your mouth and down your throat into your stomach. If you are having a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, the endoscope will be inserted through your rectum into your colon. You will not feel any pain during the procedure but you may feel some pressure or bloating due to air that has been pumped into your intestines for better visualization.
During an upper endoscopy, your doctor may take biopsies (tissue samples) or remove polyps (abnormal growths). During a lower endoscopy, polyps can also be removed or biopsies may be taken. If you are having ERCP, a dye may be injected through the endoscope so that your biliary system shows up better on X-rays.
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used to visualize various parts of the interior of the body using anendo scope—a long thin tube with a light and camera at its tip. There are many different types of endo scopes depending on which part(s) of body are being examined; some examples!
include bronchoscopes, gastroscopes and colonoscopes. Endoscopy can be used to diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions such as colorectal cancer, ulcers, polyps and hernias. Advanced endoscopic techniques can also be used for therapeutic interventions like removing small tumors or performing biopsies. With advancements in technology, endoscopy has become an increasingly common procedure in both diagnostics and treatment.
