You’ve heard of colonoscopies (at least 1,000 times from us), so now we’re here to explain what an endoscopy is! If your Gastroenterologist in Orlando FL, ever orders you to get one of these, don’t panic! You’ll be in great hands with our staff and physicians. This is a non-surgical procedure used to look inside the body—similar to a colonoscopy. The difference is that in a colonoscopy, the tube is inserted through the anus and in an endoscopy, it’s inserted through the mouth. Read on to learn more background information on this procedure, why it’s done, the risks, and how to prepare for one!
Purpose
This procedure is done to diagnose and often times treat conditions affecting the upper part of the body’s digestive system. This includes the esophagus, the stomach, and the beginning of the small intestine. When visiting a Gastroenterologist in Orlando FL, and you share that you have symptoms like bloating, severe stomach pain, etc., they’ll recommend you get an endoscopy. This is done to investigate your symptoms. Besides the aforementioned, your GI doctor will be able to determine the cause of the overall abdominal discomfort.
Once your doctor sees what’s going on in your body with this procedure, they’re able to diagnose more easily by collecting a biopsy (tissue samples). With this biopsy, they’ll be able to test for conditions like anemia, inflammation, or cancers.
After your GI doctor passes their tools to see the issue, they can take action right away, whether it’s taking off a polyp or removing a foreign object.
Risks
Endoscopies are very safe procedures, but in the rare occasions, some complications that can happen include:
Bleeding. The risk of bleeding increases is the procedure involves taking a biopsy. Again, in rare cases, if the bleeding becomes excessive, then a blood transfusion is needed.
Infection.There’s a risk of infection when a biopsy is taken, but most infections are minor and can be treated with antibiotics. In the event that an individual is at higher risk of infection, the Orlando GI doctor will prescribe preventative antibiotics.
Keep in mind that complications with endoscopies are pretty rare, but the best way to prevent any complications is by following your doctor’s instructions when it’s time for you to prepare for the procedure.
How to Prep
Your Gastroenterologist in Orlando FL, will give you instructions on how to prepare for this procedure. For the most part, you’ll have to start fasting beforehand. Therefore, no food or liquids 4-8 hours before the endoscopy. You’ll need an empty stomach for it. Also, your doctor may ask you to stop taking blood-thinning medications a couple of days before. Blood thinners can increase your risk of bleeding when you get specific procedures done. So talk to your doctor about instructions to following regarding your medicine.
Once the endoscopy is done, you’ll be sent to recovery for about an hour while your sedative wears off. Yes, you’re sedated throughout the whole procedure! Make sure you have a ride back home because you’ll feel a little woozy afterwards. But in summation, an endoscopy is nothing you need to worry about. For more information you can reach out to our physicians and surgeons at the Endo-Surgical Center of Florida. Call us at (407)506-0006.