Endoscopy of the digestive tract is the procedure that is done to diagnose any condition that affects the digestive tract. During the procedure, endoscopes are used which are thin and flexible tubes with a camera and light attached to their front end. Endoscopes, when inserted in our digestive tract, give a clear picture and video of the parts of the digestive tract. The doctor uses these pictures and videos to examine the digestive tract.
The doctor recommends endoscopy in the following conditions:
- Stomach pain
- Bleeding in the digestive tract
- Ulcers
- Gastritis
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Chronic constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Polyps or growth in colon
Endoscopy is not used to diagnose any problem in the digestive tract, but it also used to treat some. For example, a device is inserted using an endoscope to stop bleeding from ulcers. Sometimes, it also used to remove polyps from the colon the prevent the occurrence of cancer.
Types of Endoscopy of digestive tracts
Upper Endoscopy
Upper Endoscopy is done to examine the oesophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine. In an upper endoscopy, endoscopes are inserted through mouth and throat. While performing an upper endoscopy, a good endoscopist in Delhi or anywhere else will ask patients to fast for 6 to 8 hours before undergoing endoscopy.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy, also known as sigmoidoscopy, is the examination of the large intestine. In a colonoscopy, endoscopes are inserted into the large intestine through the rectum. When colonoscopy is performed, patients are given laxatives a day before the procedure to clear the colon.
Endoscopic Retrograde cholangio-pancreatography
Endoscopic Retrograde cholangio-pancreatography is a special kind of endoscopy in which a tube is used to examine pancreas, gallbladder, and related structures. It sometimes used for placing stents and doing biopsies. It is often used to remove gallstones that came outside the gallbladder and slipped into the bile duct.
Endoscopy, when done without sedating patients, can make patients uncomfortable. Therefore, patients getting an endoscopy done are given sedatives before the procedure. This relaxes patients and they stay unconscious while the procedure is being performed.
Dr. Vikas Singla 