An endoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure that allows us to examine the inside of your digestive tract using a flexible tube with a light and camera attached to it, known as an endoscope.

There are different types of endoscopy procedures that focus on different parts of the digestive tract. The most common ones include:

1. Upper endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD): This procedure involves passing the endoscope through your mouth and into your esophagus, stomach, and the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). It helps us evaluate symptoms such as persistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, upper abdominal pain, and identify conditions like ulcers, inflammation, or tumors.
2. Colonoscopy: This procedure examines the colon and rectum by inserting the endoscope through the anus. It allows us to visualize the entire length of the large intestine and detect abnormalities like polyps, inflammation, or signs of colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy is an important screening tool for colon cancer and is recommended for individuals over the age of 50 or earlier for those with a family history of colon cancer or certain risk factors.
3. Enteroscopy: This procedure involves examining the small intestine, which is challenging to reach with other diagnostic tests. It can be done using a long endoscope passed through the mouth or by using a device that is swallowed as a capsule and navigates through the digestive tract, transmitting images to an external receiver.

Endoscopy is a valuable tool for diagnosing various gastrointestinal conditions and can provide information that cannot be obtained through other means. It helps visualize the lining of your digestive tract directly and allows to:

1. Investigate unexplained symptoms: If you have persistent symptoms such as abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, persistent heartburn, or unexplained weight loss, an endoscopy can help identify the underlying cause.
2. Detect and evaluate conditions: Endoscopy can help diagnose conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, celiac disease, Barrett’s esophagus, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and colorectal cancer, among others.
3. Perform biopsies and collect samples: During an endoscopy, we can take tissue samples (biopsies) for further examination in the laboratory, which can help determine the presence of infection, inflammation, or cancerous polyps.
4. Treat certain conditions: In addition to diagnosis, endoscopy allows us to perform therapeutic procedures, such as removing polyps, treating bleeding ulcers, widening narrow areas (strictures) in the esophagus or intestines, and placing stents or feeding tubes.

Endoscopy is generally a safe procedure, but like any medical intervention, it carries some risks, such as bleeding, infection, or perforation of the digestive tract. However, these complications are rare and the benefits of endoscopy in diagnosing and managing gastrointestinal conditions often outweigh the risks.

Before the procedure, you will receive instructions on how to prepare, which may include fasting, bowel preparation, and temporarily stopping certain medications. During the procedure, you will be given sedation or anesthesia to ensure your comfort. The duration of the procedure varies depending on the specific type of endoscopy being performed.

After the procedure, you may experience some temporary effects such as a sore throat (for upper endoscopy) or bloating and gas (for colonoscopy). Set an appointment with Dr.Yang to talk discuss if you may need an Endoscopy to help explore possible presistent symptoms that may be of a concern.