Endoscopy
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What is Endoscopy ?
Endoscopy is a diagnostic test used widely these days to see the inside (mucosa) lining of food pipes, stomachs, and intestines.
Is endoscopy painful?
Generally, endoscopy is a safe procedure. It is performed using a local anaesthetic spray to the throat.It may cause mild discomfort in the throat. When a person undergoes colonoscopy, he or she may experience some abdominal discomfort or bloating, which subsides after the procedure.
If the endoscopy procedure is done under sedation (mild anesthesia), they won’t experience any pain or discomfort.
What are the types of endoscopy procedures?
Upper GI endoscopy, also known as OGD, is an endoscopy of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.Lower GI endoscopy (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy) is an endoscopic examination of the colon.
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) is an examination of the bile ducts done to remove stones from the bile duct and pancreatic duct.
What is capsule endoscopy?
Capsule endoscopy is a type of endoscopy done on a very specific type of disease or disease under suspicion. In this type of endoscopy, a patient is asked to swallow a pill which has a camera inside it, which captures images of the lining of the whole digestive system.
How long does an endoscopy procedure take?
Upper GI endoscopy takes about 5-10 minutes and lower GI endoscopy takes about 15-20 minutes.
Dr Santhosh Kumar SC,
MBBS MD DNB is a Gastroenterologist, hepatologist and therapeutic endoscopist practicing in Bangalore.