Gastroenterology - Endoscopy

Gastroenterology - Endoscopy Treatment in Koramangala, Bangalore

Doctors performing a procedure to view and operate on the internal organs and vessels of your body is called an endoscopy. Using a specialized instrument named endoscope, doctors carry out an endoscopy treatment in Koramangala because it helps them to visually examine a faulty organ without making any large incisions. The procedure is minimally invasive, performed either as an outpatient or inpatient surgery to pull out polyps or tumors from the digestive tract.

What are the basic things we should know about endoscopy?

Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a non-surgical procedure performed by doctors to see the inner lining of your intestinal tract. This examination surgery is carried out using a long, thin, flexible fiber-optic tube called an endoscope that has a tiny camera at its end. An endoscopy is helpful for doctors not only to diagnose GI diseases, but also to treat them effectively. An endoscopy treatment in Bangalore will help your surgeon to know the exact cause of any abnormal symptoms that you have been experiencing lately.

What are the different types of endoscopy?

Depending on the area of the body that will be investigated through the endoscopy procedure, endoscopies are classified into:

• Bronchoscopy: Performed by a thoracic surgeon or a pulmonologist to know about the faults in the lungs by inserting the instrument inside the nose or the mouth.
• Rhinoscopy: Performed by a thoracic surgeon or a pulmonologist to know about the faults in the lower respiratory tract by inserting the instrument inside the nose or the mouth.
• Arthroscopy: Performed by an orthopedic surgeon to know about the problems in the joints by inserting the instrument through a small incision made near the examined joint.
• Cystoscopy: Performed by a urologist to know about the problems in the bladder by inserting the instrument through the urethra.
• Colonoscopy: Performed by a proctologist or a gastroenterologist to know about the problems in the colon by inserting the instrument through the anus.
• Laparoscopy: Performed by multiple specialists or surgeons to know about the problems in the pelvic or abdominal area by inserting the instrument through a small cut near the examined area.
• Enteroscopy: Performed by a gastroenterologist to know about the problems in the small Intestine by inserting the instrument through the mouth or anus.
• Hysteroscopy: Performed by a gynecological surgeon or gynecologists to know about the problems in the internal parts of the uterus by inserting the instrument through the vagina.
• Sigmoidoscopy: Performed by a proctologist or a gastroenterologist to know about the problems in the lower parts of the large intestine, known as the sigmoid colon and the rectum by inserting the instrument inside the anus.
• Mediastinoscopy: Performed by a thoracic surgeon to know about the problems in the area between the lungs, i.e. mediastinum, by inserting the instrument through an opening made above the breastbone.
• Laryngoscopy: Performed by an ENT specialist to know about the problems in the larynx by inserting the instrument through the mouth or the nostril.
• Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, also called Esophagogastroduodenoscopy:  Performed by a gastroenterologist to know about the problems in the upper intestinal tract and the esophagus by inserting the instrument through the mouth.
• Ureteroscopy: Performed by a urologist to know about the problems in the ureter by inserting the instrument through the urethra.
• Thoracoscopy, also called Pleuroscopy: Performed by a thoracic surgeon or a pulmonologist to know about the problems in the section between the lungs and the chest wall by inserting the instrument through a small cut in the chest.

What are the symptoms/causes for which your doctor may ask for an endoscopy?

These include:

• Stomach ulcer
• Gallstones
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), namely Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
• Chronic constipation
• Tumors
• Unexplained bleeding in the digestive tract
• Pancreatitis
• Blockage of the esophagus
• Infections
• Hiatal Hernia
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Blood in the urine
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding

When do we need to see a doctor?

Before finalizing endoscopy, your doctor will thoroughly review your symptoms, conduct an extensive physical examination, and may ask for some blood tests as well to get a more accurate and deeper understanding of the probable causes behind the occurrence of your symptoms.

You can request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Koramangala, Bangalore.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

What are the risks/complications associated with endoscopy?

Since it is a medical procedure and involves incisions, it can lead to:

• Damage caused to the organs including perforation
• Swelling and redness at the site/point of incision
• Fever
• Chest pain
• Extreme irregularity in heartbeat
• Respiratory depression, i.e. shortness of breath
• Continuous pain at the point where an endoscopy has been performed.

Each type of endoscopy has different risks associated with it. For instance, risks under colonoscopy are vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and dark-colored stools. A hysteroscopy has such risks associated with it as uterine bleeding, cervical trauma or uterine perforation. 

How do we prepare for an endoscopy?

At least 12 hours before any type of endoscopy, your doctor will instruct you to stop eating any solid food. On the night before the procedure, your doctor might give you enemas or laxatives to help you clear your system in the morning, which is a common practice in endoscopy involving the anus and gastrointestinal (GI) area. You will be asked to stop taking certain medicines, for example anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs as they might cause excessive bleeding.

For GI endoscopy, usually conscious sedation is ensured. In some major cases, local anesthesia may also be given.

Conclusion

The majority of endoscopies are outpatient procedures, i.e. you will be discharged on the same day. Post-procedure, your surgeon will close the incision wounds with stitches and bandages. Your doctor will give you proper instructions on how you should be taking care of the wound. An endoscopy is a procedure you should not be scared of. Mainly, it is carried out to know the exact cause of the problem growing in your digestive tract.