What is endoscopy?
Endoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a viewing of either the upper or lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract with an endoscopy.
The endoscope is a long, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end of it.
A gastroenterologist is the specialist doctor who performs both of the two endoscopy procedures:
- upper GI endoscopy – to view the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum (first part of the small intestine) the endoscope is swallowed; the patient is given a numbing throat spray and light sedation before the procedure
- lower GI endoscopy – to view the colon (large intestine), the endoscope is inserted into the rectum; the patient is given a laxative and lightly sedated before the procedure
Important endoscopy facts
- Endoscopy is used as a tool to definitely diagnose any type of ulcers (gastric, duodenal, peptic)
- Endoscopy is a minimally invasive medical procedure
- This procedure has a low risk of complications (usually less than 1%)
Why endoscopy is important
Endoscopy may be used to determine the reason for any number of physical symptoms:
- abdominal pain
- bleeding
- indigestion
- nausea
- reflux
- swallowing difficulties
- vomiting
