Endoscopy has become a vital diagnostic and investigative procedure in gastroenterology. Much more effective than other forms of test and less invasive than full surgery that often isn’t necessary. Endoscopy allows a trained doctor to get a clearer picture of any digestive system abnormalities and problems. It can sometimes be used for treatments too. Let’s look more closely at the benefits of endoscopy.
1. Improves Diagnostic Accuracy
An endoscopy makes it much easier for doctors to make an accurate diagnosis. It can help to identify and diagnose a range of conditions from ulcers to coeliac disease and blockages to tumours. It can be invaluable in finding the cause of unexplained symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. Endoscopy is more accurate for identifying abnormal growths such as cancers than alternatives such as x-ray.
2. Provides Easier Treatment
Endoscopy is effectively used to treat some digestive tract problems. Even if a doctor is simply carrying out a diagnostic endoscopy, they can immediately begin treatment if necessary. Your gastroenterologist can pass a range of medical instruments through the endoscope to quickly treat abnormalities such as polyps or cysts. They can also remove blockages, foreign objects and widen a narrowed oesophagus.
3. Safer and Quicker than Alternatives
Endoscopy is one of the safest medical procedures. Complications with endoscopy are very rare. They usually relate to sedation, bleeding, infection, and perforation. Usually, these complications relate to pre-existing conditions rather than as a cause of the endoscopy.
An upper endoscopy usually only takes around twenty minutes and patients can remain awake. Some do opt for sedation, but this is a personal choice. Most patients can leave the hospital within 30-45 minutes after the procedure.
4. Usually Painless
Patients may be nervous but there is nothing to fear when booked in for an endoscopy. The procedure is not usually painful, and patients experience little more than some discomfort. This is usually linked to the initial swallowing of the endoscope. Some patients experience some soreness and cramping but again, this is usually very mild.
Dr Rehan Haidry is an experienced interventional endoscopist. He pioneers may new treatments and is always interested in new developments in this experimental and innovative field of medicine. He carries out minimally invasive treatments for acid reflux such as Transoral incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) and Stretta and was among the first UK endoscopists to carry out metabolic and bariatric endoscopic procedures such as Duodenal mucosal resurfacing (DMR) and Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG).
Get in touch to discuss your personal circumstances and referral to Dr Haidry.