Endoscopy
Medical advances are amazing. Take endoscopy for example. By inserting
a very small, flexible tube with its own camera and light source
through the mouth into the throat and upper digestive tract, polyps can
be removed, cancer detected and bleeding stopped—all with little or no
discomfort.
Upper endoscopy is usually performed to investigate the cause of
persistent upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or difficulty
swallowing. It is also the best test for locating the cause of bleeding
from the upper digestive tract. Endoscopy is more accurate than x-rays
for finding ulcers, inflammation or tumors of the throat, stomach and
the first portion of the small intestine. A variety of instruments can
be passed through the endoscope to treat a number of abnormalities—like
stretching narrowed spaces, removing swallowed objects or controlling
bleeding. In fact, safe and effective endoscopic control of bleeding
has greatly reduced the need for blood transfusions and surgery in many
patients.
Since medication to help you relax is administered during the test,
most patients find endoscopy to be only slightly uncomfortable. Many
patients fall asleep during the procedure. Afterward, your throat may
be sore for a little while and you may feel a little bloated. This is
normal. You may resume your normal diet as soon as you leave the
procedure area (unless instructed otherwise).
Location:
Endoscopy procedures are performed in the Ambulatory Care Center within Memorial Hospital.
Admission preparation:
Endoscopy requires that your stomach be completely empty before the
test. You should have nothing to eat or drink (including water) for
approximately six hours before the examination. Your doctor will tell
you when to start fasting based on the time of your test.
You will also want to ask your doctor if any of your usual medications
such as anticoagulants (blood thinners) should be adjusted before the
procedure and if any special precautions should be taken due to drug
allergies or medical conditions such as heart disease or lung problems.
Generally, if you take heart, blood pressure, thyroid or seizure
medications, you may take them on the day of your precedure with a sip
of water. If you are diabetic, you should consult your family physician
about adjusting your insulin or oral diabetic medication.
Since you will most likely be sedated, you will need to bring someone with you to take you home following your endoscopy.
Registration:
Please plan to arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled appointment to
register with the patient access department located just inside the MacIvor
entrance.
Sep 7, 2010
