Endoscopy is a procedure that helps to examine the digestive tract using a special instrument known as an endoscope. It is a thin tube with a camera fitted on one of its ends. Apart from being a diagnostic modality, endoscopy is also used to carry out a variety of surgical procedures, as it helps in detailed imaging guidance.
endoscopy may be recommended for any of the following problems:
- Dysphagia or swallowing difficulties
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
- Persistent vomiting without definite reason
- Internal bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract
Indications
Common indications of endoscopy include:
- GERD or gastrointestinal reflux disease
- Strictures which are marked by narrowing or blockage in the Urethra
- Oesophagal varices
- Inflammation and redness
- Ulcers
- Benign or malignant tumours
- Hiatal hernia
- Internal injury or damage
- Celiac disease
- Crohn's disease
- Chronic infections
Procedure
- You will be required to lie down on a table and a sedative medicine will be given to help you relax
- The tube will be inserted via your mouth and down your throat towards the concerned area
- The camera will generate the images, which will be displayed on an enlarged screen
- Gentle air pressure may be used to inflate the digestive tract for a better view
- In case of surgery, special surgical instruments will be used to repair the damage or collect samples for biopsy.
Benefits
Various benefits of endoscopy are as under:
- It helps to make a precision-based diagnosis.
- It can be used to treat a variety of conditions.
- It is a completely safe procedure
- It hardly takes 20 minutes
- There might be slight discomfort, but the procedure is otherwise painless.
