When a patient displays prolong symptoms involving the digestive tract, a physician may order an upper endoscopy to attempt to diagnose the problem. Overview Cancerous or noncancerous polyps or another type of cancer are a possible cause of digestive symptoms. Once a doctor knows the cause of the problems, the next step is treatment.
Common Symptoms Overview
A number of digestive issues could occur that may warrant an endoscopy to investigate whether cancerous or noncancerous polyps are present. These symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, problems swallowing, and gastrointestinal bleing.
Preparing for the Procure Overview
The physician will provide preparation instructions prior to the procure. Generally, a patient will ne to abstain from eating and drinking between four and eight hours prior to the surgery to ensure that the stomach is completely empty. It may be necessary to stop taking some mications. Blood thinners can interfere with the test, so doctors instruct patients to stop taking them. Sometimes the mications us to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes can also interfere with endoscopy.
Because the test involves a sative, patients are not allow to drive home. Recovering from the anesthetic may take about one day, so many people opt to take the entire day off work to rest. Grogginess could last up to 24 hours, so prepare accordingly.
The Endoscopy Overview
The test may be perform in a doctor’s office or in a hospital outpatient center. The procure room will resemble a surgical suite with a table and monitors. You will lie on the table, either on your back or side. The team will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. A professional will administer the sative mication intravenously to help you relax. Next, the physician will administer anesthetic to the mouth and throat by spraying it into your mouth. This helps prepare for the insertion of the flexible tube. Some patients wear a special mouth guard to help them keep their mouths open. As the doctor inserts the tube, you will be told to swallow. This could cause some pressure, but pain shouldn’t be an issue............................................................................................................................
Although you won’t be able to speak with the tube:
In place, it will not interfere with breathing. As the tube moves through the esophagus, a special camera takes pictures of the digestive tract to enable the physician to notice any irregularities. Sometimes the doctor introduces air pressure into the esophagus to inflate it slightly. This helps the camera to pick up every nuance in the tract. If polyps are detect, the doctor can insert a special tool to remove the growth and biopsy it. After about 30 minutes, the doctor will remove the tube to conclude the test.
Recovery in the clinic or hospital generally lasts only about one hour. Then, patients are releas to their homes. Some people experience a sore throat, cramping, and gas after the procure, but these symptoms should not be excessive.
