When a patient displays prolonged symptoms involving the
digestive tract, a physician may order an upper endoscopy to attempt to
diagnose the problem. 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
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 bleeding.
Preparing for the Procedure
The physician will provide preparation instructions prior to the procedure. Generally, a patient will need 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 medications. Blood thinners can interfere with the test, so doctors instruct patients to stop taking them. Sometimes the medications used to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes can also interfere with endoscopy.
Because the test involves a sedative, patients are not allowed 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
The test may be performed in a doctor's office or in a hospital outpatient center. The procedure 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 sedative medication 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 detected, 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 released to their homes. Some people experience a sore throat, cramping, and gas after the procedure, but these symptoms should not be excessive.
Common Symptoms
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 bleeding.
Preparing for the Procedure
The physician will provide preparation instructions prior to the procedure. Generally, a patient will need 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 medications. Blood thinners can interfere with the test, so doctors instruct patients to stop taking them. Sometimes the medications used to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes can also interfere with endoscopy.
Because the test involves a sedative, patients are not allowed 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
The test may be performed in a doctor's office or in a hospital outpatient center. The procedure 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 sedative medication 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 detected, 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 released to their homes. Some people experience a sore throat, cramping, and gas after the procedure, but these symptoms should not be excessive.
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