Reasons You May Need An Endoscopy
Published November 5, 2020
An endoscopy allows your doctor to see inside your organs without having to make a large incision. It is a useful tool when you are suffering from symptoms which could indicate a number of conditions. Its goal is to investigate your symptoms, confirm a diagnosis, and then suggest a treatment plan for you. Here are some of the reasons you may need an endoscopy.
What Happens During An Endoscopy?
An endoscopy for gastrointestinal problems can look at your total digestive tract, both upper and lower. It is a painless and minimally invasive way to see your esophagus, stomach, and upper part of your small intestine, and it provides more accurate information than an X-Ray. This is the same type of procedure used for a colonoscopy.
Sedation is given prior to beginning the procedure. Then, a narrow flexible tube with a flashlight attachment and a camera is gently inserted into the throat and down the esophagus which allows your physician to see a real time picture.
No anesthesia is needed as the procedure usually takes 10 to 15 minutes unless tissue needs to be extracted for a biopsy or if polyps need to be removed.
Reasons You May Need An Endoscopy
We all suffer from occasional heartburn, indigestion, and gastric pain from time to time. When a situation becomes more chronic, it’s important to find out what is wrong. An endoscopy is especially valuable in discovering ulcers, inflammations and even tumors.
Nausea And Vomiting
Someone who vomits frequently and is not suffering from a virus or the flu could have other causes. This procedure could diagnose gallbladder disease, ulcers, or even food poisoning.
Abdominal Pain
Having pain in your stomach is not normal. An endoscopy can determine if the cause is from something like constipation, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, or Crohn’s disease.
Chronic Heartburn
Heartburn is a common complaint of the digestive tract, but when it becomes a chronic issue, the causes can range from ulcers to acid burns on the wall of the esophagus or stomach. Once the cause is determined, GI Solutions can provide a treatment plan.
Bleeding
This is the most common use of an endoscopy. Bleeding from either the mouth or rectum is a serious symptom. It can be due to ulcers, diverticulosis, diverticulitis, a tear in the esophagus, Crohn’s Disease, or cancer.
Cancer In The Stomach
This type of cancer grows slowly over many years. When symptoms do appear they usually include indigestion, heartburn, nausea, and bloating after eating.
Don’t hesitate to contact GI Solutions if you are experiencing any gastrointestinal issues.
To schedule an appointment, please call (773) 631-2728 or request an appointment online today.
Categories: Endoscopy