An endoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the body without performing major surgery. It uses a long, flexible tube with a lens and camera, called an endoscope, which is inserted into the body through a natural opening like the mouth, anus, or urethra.
During an endoscopy, light passes down the tube to illuminate the area being examined, and the camera magnifies the image and projects it onto a screen for the doctor to see. The type of endoscopy performed depends on the patient's symptoms.
Endoscopies can be used to diagnose a variety of conditions, including:
Acid reflux, Inflammation, Gastrointestinal disorders, Stomach ulcers, Swallowing disorders, and Cancerous and noncancerous tumors.
Most endoscopies are outpatient procedures, meaning patients can go home the same day. After the procedure, patients may experience bloating, nausea, or a sore throat for a short time. Other potential side effects include: infection, persistent pain, perforation or tear of the lining of the stomach or esophagus, and internal bleeding.
Endoscopy can be done with or without sedation depending on patients preference