An endoscopy is an outpatient procedure that involves the insertion of a long, flexible tube called an endoscope down a patient’s throat, esophagus, and stomach until it reaches the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine. Endoscopies are performed under anesthesia so that the patient does not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. A tiny light and video camera are attached to one end of the endoscope, which allows your doctor or gastroenterologist to view and examine your esophagus, stomach, and part of your small intestine for any abnormalities. The purpose of an endoscopy is to examine the upper digestive system organs for ulcers, bleeding, and the cause for various symptoms.

With that in mind, your doctor or gastroenterologist may recommend having an endoscopy performed if you are dealing with any of the following symptoms:

– Abdominal or stomach pain
– Anemia, due to low iron
– Changes in bowel habits, such as chronic constipation or diarrhea
– Difficulty swallowing
– Digestive tract bleeding
– Gastritis

Our board-certified gastroenterologist and medical professionals at Diamond Gastroenterology can provide excellent endoscopy services if you are dealing with any of the above symptoms and require an endoscopy. Depending on your risk level for developing cancer in a digestive tract organ, your doctor or gastroenterologist may also require periodic endoscopy screenings to monitor your health.

An upper endoscopy typically takes between 10 to 15 minutes to complete. However, it can take significantly longer if there are any polyps to remove or areas to biopsy. Since routine upper endoscopies are quick and minimally invasive, either conscious sedation or a local anesthetic will likely be used in favor of general anesthesia. With that being said, many patients feel relaxed enough to fall asleep during the procedure after conscious sedation is administered to them and do not feel any pain during local anesthesia.

Before the procedure begins, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown. After you have changed into the hospital gown, your gastroenterologist may insert an intravenous line into the back of your hand to administer anesthesia or conscious sedation, unless another method of anesthesia is used, such as throat spray or liquid anesthetic. During the procedure, you will be positioned either on your back or your left side. Once the anesthesia has taken hold, your gastroenterologist will slowly insert the endoscope, which will inflate your stomach to provide a clearer view of your stomach lining.

After the procedure, you will need to stay in a recovery room for up to two hours to wait for the anesthesia and sedatives to wear off. You will also need a friend or family member to drive you home after the procedure.

An upper endoscopy can detect illnesses and conditions in the upper half of your digestive system. With that in mind, a few conditions that endoscopies are commonly used to diagnose include the following:

– Barrett’s esophagus, which is a precancerous change in the esophagus
– Esophageal cancer
– Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial stomach infection
– Hiatal hernias
– Stomach (gastric) cancer
– Ulcers

For more information, please call us. We serve patients from Oak Park IL, River Forest IL, Cicero IL, River Grove IL, Forest Park IL, Berwyn IL, Melrose Park IL, Elmwood Park IL, Chicago IL, La Grange IL, Broadview IL, and surrounding areas.