Endoscopy is a non-invasive method that is both a diagnostic and surgical tool, making endoscopy centers in Brooklyn, NY a common destination for people with gastrointestinal issues, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, or acid reflux disease).
An endoscope is a small, thin, tube that’s also very flexible. The doctor gently slips the endoscope into your throat to examine the upper and lower GI tracts, and in some cases, the gallbladder as well.
Getting Ready
At your pre-endoscope appointment, you and your doctor will go over your health history, paying special attention to any medications that might cause internal bleeding as well as any allergies. Some nutritional supplements can affect the procedure as well.
Many patients fast for the twelve hours prior to their endoscopies, to clear out their systems. Moreover, many patients arrange for a ride home from the doctor’s office, because sometimes the anesthesia takes a little more time to wear off.
Types of Endoscopies
Because it is both a diagnostic and treatment instrument, there are about a dozen different types of endoscopes. Some of the more commonly-used ones include:
- Upper GI Endoscopy: This is the procedure described above, which most people associate with endoscopy centers in Staten Island, NY.
- Laryngoscopy: The doctor uses basically the same procedure to examine the larynx or voice box, except sometimes, the endoscope goes through the nostril.
- Colonoscopy: Technically a subset of endoscopy, colonoscopies examine the rectal and colon areas; the scope usually enters through the anus.
- Bronchoscopy: People with trouble breathing, chronic coughing, or other similar symptoms often have bronchoscopies.
Doctors perform all these procedures under a local anesthetic, so the patient feels almost zero discomfort throughout the entire procedure.
Your Experience
In the initial phase, the doctor views high-resolution video in real time, tanks to a lighted camera that’s wirelessly connected to a computer monitor or other viewscreen. In some cases, the doctor may also inject a safe and nontoxic dye, to make things even clearer.
It is quite common to find polyps or other issues, and with just a quick change of the endoscope’s tip, the doctor can scrape away these particles, and if necessary, forward them to a lab for a biopsy.
The exact time length varies according to the exact nature of the procedure, but the procedure is always an outpatient one at a Bronx, NY endoscopy center. Visit the website for more information.
