Gastroenterology

Endoscopy is a non-surgical procedure that allows doctors to look inside your digestive tract through the use of an endoscope. The scopes have a small camera attached to the end of a long, thin tube. The physician uses the scope to see inside the body.

Using an endoscope, a flexible tube with a light and camera attached to it, your doctor can view pictures of your digestive tract on a color TV monitor.

Some endoscopes have a space where a doctor can insert a surgical instrument to allow surgery or removal of tissue. 

Specific procedures have different names based on the body part examined and the type of scope used.

There are various types of endoscopy, including:

1. Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy

2. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the colon and rectum. Colonoscopy can detect inflamed tissue, ulcers and abnormal growths. The procedure is used to look for early signs of colorectal cancer and can help doctors diagnose unexplained changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bleeding from the anus and weight loss.

Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

An endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, can detect ulcers, precancerous conditions, bowel obstruction and hiatal hernia. Upper GI endoscopy can also be used to determine the cause of abdominal pain, vomiting, swallowing difficulties, gastric reflux, unexplained weight loss and bleeding in the upper GI tract.

Ask your gastroenterologist about having your next procedure at Citizens Medical Center.