You Can Expect These Gastroenterology Procedures
A gastroenterologist is a doctor who focuses on digestive diseases and conditions. Some conditions affect specific organs, while problems with the digestive system cause others. Surgery, endoscopic techniques, and imaging tests are used to diagnose and treat these conditions. Here are a few of the most common procedures in gastroenterology. Some of these are:
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is an endoscopy that looks at the inside of the stomach and duodenum with a thin, flexible instrument. It can be used to find gallbladder and liver diseases and to measure the pressure in the bile ducts. In some cases, fecal incontinence can also be treated with endoscopy.
ERCP is an advanced procedure that requires a lot of experience and training. In this procedure, a long, thin tube about the thickness of a pencil is put through the mouth and into the duodenum. This tube is used to guide an endoscope, a small, lit tube made of plastic, into the pancreatic and bile duct. The doctor then injects a dye into these areas to see if there is any blockage or something else wrong with them.
Upper endoscopy type of procedure that is done in gastroenterology. This is an excellent way to determine what’s wrong with the upper digestive tract. The doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera on its end. Images are sent from the endoscope to a monitor. The photos can help determine what’s wrong with the patient or the condition. An air puff is sometimes used to make it easier to move the endoscope and see the folds of the digestive tract.
During an endoscopy, the flexible tube is put in through the mouth. Then, the doctor looks at the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum with an endoscope. The endoscope is smaller than most of the food you eat and can be put in your mouth or at the back of your throat. A biopsy can sometimes be taken with the help of an endoscopy.
Colonoscopy is another procedure that is often done. This is the first step in determining what’s wrong with the GI system. It lets the doctor see the inside of the colon and check for any diseases or abnormal growths. People over 50 or whose symptoms keep returning are often told to get this procedure done. Polyps are growths on the lining of the colon. During the process, a polyp will be taken out. This test will help find out if there is any cancer.
Before an upper endoscopy, a patient is put to sleep. The anesthesiologist will talk to the patient about all the details of anesthesia. The procedure could take up to an hour and a half. The patient may feel sore, and it will take 60 to 90 minutes to feel better. The person will be able to drive home afterward. If needed, the patient should get a ride or have a family member take them home.
Endoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the body to diagnose and treat problems. It helps in many ways and removes the need for surgery. Before this procedure, patients are given mild to deep sedation to ensure they are safe. The system lets the doctor see polyps, bleeds, and inflamed sores. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a second test that looks for problems in the upper part of the digestive tract. The gastroenterologist may also do a biopsy or treat blockages and strictures.
Endoscopy in a capsule is another new method in gastroenterology. A tiny camera is put inside a capsule about the vitamin size for this process. It sends pictures to a recorder on a belt. Capsule endoscopy is more detailed than a regular upper GI series X-ray, and it lets the gastroenterologist see parts of the body that are hard to see with a standard X-ray.
