ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ENDOSCOPY

An endoscopy is a test to look inside your body. A long, thin tube with a small camera inside, called an endoscope is passed into your body through the natural openings in your body such as your mouth. You may get referred for an endoscopy procedure if you are having certain symptoms. The procedure will usually be done at an endoscopy unit in a hospital or a well-maintained medical facility. Most of the time, an endoscopy is typically performed after sedating the patient with anesthesia; the effects of which last only for a few hours.

WHO SHOULD UNDERGO AN ENDOSCOPY PROCEDURE?

There is no specific age to have the first screening endoscopy to find out whether or not a patient may have Barrett’s esophagus or cancerous precursor lesions, although many experts recommend ages 40–50.

Patients with persistent heartburn who do not get relief with medications also should consider having an endoscopy. Chronic reflux disease is one of the most common causes of esophageal cancer. So, if you have acid reflux for many weeks, you must undergo an endoscopy after a consultation with your doctor. An endoscopy will help the doctor monitor any possible cancerous growth, so, it can be removed early to increase the chances of living longer and a healthy life.

HOW LONG DOES AN ENDOSCOPY TAKE?

Factually, the average time to perform an endoscopy is five minutes. The endoscopy procedure is safe and the risk of major complications is very low as compared to any other procedure. It is actually 1 in 10000 procedures in which a patient might face any kind of complications. Patients may slightly experience a sore throat and bloating which resolves a few hours after the procedure.

ANY ALTERNATIVES FOR AN ENDOSCOPY PROCEDURE

Alternatives to endoscopy are an active area of research. Specialized brushes and blood tests are being pursued but nothing has proven to be more effective than an endoscopy procedure.

IMPORTANCE OF HAVING ENDOSCOPY

An endoscopy procedure is the best method to detect Barrett’s esophageal cancer. It can tell if a patient has Barrett’s when the lining of the esophagus, typically white, is changed to a shade of red.

Patients who have Barrett’s esophagus are at a greater risk for developing ulcers and cancer of the esophagus. Also, these patients are at risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma as well which is affecting a larger population globally, every year.

Treatment for Barrett’s esophagus and early esophageal cancer can be achieved through endoscopy, thus, saving the esophagus from major surgery.

With the best full-time in-house specialists, Sohana Hospital is a reliable name for unmatched treatment. We always keep an eye on the latest advancements and ensure to include modern machines in our laboratory for precise diagnosis. Our medical team is always all-ear to your queries and makes the diagnosis & treatment experience better for you.

Want to undergo an endoscopy procedure at our hospital after a doctor’s consultation? You are just a call away from getting the best doctor’s advice.