Reasons You May Need an Endoscopy

When a patient is dealing with stomach pain, nausea, and other problem related to the digestive system then the doctors suggests an endoscopy procedure. At that moment, most people are worried hearing the word endoscopy and try to avoid it. Endoscopy is a very important test to diagnose problems inside your gut at a very early stage and it is done very safely. In this blog, Dr.Vikrant Kale has given an overview regarding the endoscopy test, why it’s performed, and the benefits from it.

He is the best gastroenterologist in PCMC & Pune. He has done around 4000 gastroscopies, 2500 colonoscopies, and 700 ERCPs until now. Let’s find out more about getting an endoscopy and whether it’s time for you to have this test.

What Is an Endoscopy?

An endoscopy is a diagnostic test that allows a gastroenterologist to look inside your digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon). It is done using a small tube with a high-definition camera at the tip.

There are various types of endoscopy procedures like –

1. Gastroscopy (commonly called – endoscopy) – this test examines your esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and early part of the small intestine.
2. Colonoscopy – this test examines your large intestine and can examine the terminal part of the small intestine.
3. ERCP – this is a very specialized type of endoscopy for diagnosing and treating problems with bile ducts and the pancreas.

There are other types of specialized types of endoscopy (EUS, Enteroscopy) that can be performed in special cases.

Why is Endoscopy necessary?

There are many cases in which an endoscopy can provide us with the insight we need to be able to figure out what’s going on with your digestive tract. An endoscopy can be used to:

• Pinpoint the cause of digestion-related symptoms (e.g. bleeding; abdominal pain)
• Determine the severity of your digestive problem
• Monitor preexisting gastrointestinal conditions
• To biopsy a specific area of the digestive tract
• To screen for cancer
• To remove polyps, treat an obstruction, or stop bleeding.

What Does an Endoscopy Detect?

There are many cases in which an endoscopy can provide us with the insight we need to be able to figure out what’s going on with your digestive tract. An endoscopy can be used to:

• Pinpoint the cause of digestion-related symptoms (e.g. bleeding; abdominal pain)
• Determine the severity of your digestive problem, e.g. oesophageal varices.
• Monitor pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions e.g. colitis.
• To biopsy a specific area of the digestive tract
• To screen for cancer
• To remove polyps, treat an obstruction, or stop bleeding.

Do You Need This Test?

Here are some conditions for which you should see Dr. Vikrant Kale soon for an endoscopy:

• You have intense pain in the abdomen
• You have severe acid reflux or chronic heartburn
• You have difficulty in swallowing food.
• You have persistent loose motions or constipation.
• There’s blood in the stool
• There’s a family history of stomach cancer or colon cancer
• You’re over the age of 50 and recent change in bowel habits.

What type of cancers can an endoscopy detect?

Endoscopy is useful to find the different types of cancers like Oesophageal cancer, Stomach cancer, and Colon cancer.

Is Endoscopy Safe?

Overall, endoscopy is very safe. It can be mostly done under local anesthetic. Depending on the procedure and patient, an anesthetic can be used to make the test more comfortable. Complications from the routine diagnostic endoscopy with an expert endoscopist are very rare. An experienced endoscopist, like Dr. Vikrant Kale, ensures the test is done safely and can detect even minor changes in the lining of the gut (like early-stage cancers).

If you are experiencing any of the worrying symptoms, as listed above or any other issues within the digestive system, an endoscopy is helpful for determining what’s going on and what can be done to treat the problem.

Dr. Kale’s Gastro Clinic offers endoscopy procedures done by a highly trained gastroenterologist – Dr.Vikrant Kale,  with the most advanced endoscopy instruments (Olympus, Japan). Endoscopy in our clinic is done in a very safe environment, with fully trained staff, and at affordable rates. We follow utmost COVID precautions and never compromise on the safety of our patients.

Book your appointment if you face any problem related to the digestive system.