An endoscopy is a group of procedures that evaluate the digestive system from within. At Desert Valley Gastroenterology in Mesa, Arizona, the team of endoscopy experts performs a variety of procedures to examine the upper and lower digestive tract. All types of outpatient endoscopy procedures occur at the Southwest Endoscopy & Surgicenter in Gilbert. Call the office today.
An endoscopy is a group of minimally invasive procedures where providers use a long tube with a miniature camera and light to examine your digestive tract. Doctors may administer treatment, like polyp removal, during the endoscopy.
There are several types of endoscopies, including:
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), or an upper endoscopy, which examines the gastrointestinal tract's upper portion. During this procedure, the endoscope goes through your mouth and down your esophagus to your stomach and the first part of the small intestine.
The team often performs EGD to evaluate symptoms like heartburn, nausea, and problems swallowing. An EGD can detect conditions and problems, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Crohn’s disease, esophageal strictures (esophagus narrowing), and Celiac disease.
A lower endoscopy evaluates part or all of the large intestine. A colonoscopy evaluates the entire large intestine. It’s the most common colon cancer screening technique. Doctors usually remove any precancerous polyps discovered during a colonoscopy.
A colonoscopy may also look for the cause of diarrhea, constipation, abdominal cramps, and other issues. It can detect conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and diverticulitis.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy, another type of lower endoscopy, evaluates only the lower large intestine. It can evaluate symptoms and aid in diagnosis, but a colonoscopy is the preferred colon cancer screening method since it views more of the large intestine.
A capsule endoscopy involves swallowing a capsule containing a tiny camera. It travels through your digestive system and gathers images. A capsule endoscopy evaluates the portion of the small intestine that an upper and lower endoscopy can’t reach.
An endoscopic ultrasound is a lower or upper endoscopy procedure using an ultrasound-tipped endoscope. It offers effective imaging of the upper and lower digestive tract. An endoscopic ultrasound can also evaluate nearby organs like the lungs, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
The Desert Valley Gastroenterology team determines the type of endoscopy best for you.
The Desert Valley Gastroenterology team provides instructions before the procedure. You need to fast before an endoscopy, and you may need to do a bowel cleansing the night before.
Endoscopy generally involves intravenous (IV) sedation, which may cause drowsiness after the procedure. Arrange for a driver to bring you to the endoscopy center and drive you home afterward.
The team recommends resting for the remainder of the day and returning to your regular routine the next morning.
Schedule your endoscopy by calling Desert Valley Gastroenterology by calling in today.