Gastroenterology is a medical branch that deals with studying, diagnosing, and treating conditions in the digestive system. Organs covered in this study range from the esophagus up to the anus. Physicians in this field aim to provide the right treatment for patients living in Cuenca, Ecuador, by conducting various testing procedures that reveal their actual condition. Common procedures done as part of the testing process include colonoscopy and endoscopy.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is an examination procedure that provides physicians with an internal image of the digestive system. This test uses a fiber optic camera attached to a long tube and inserted through the anus. Colonoscopy verifies causes of palpable or non-palpable symptoms such as severe stomach pains, tumors, intestinal obstructions, and others. The physician manipulates the camera using its maneuvering attachment on the scope, exploring possible issues in the colon area for experts to provide appropriate treatment.
Endoscopy
Endoscopy refers to the procedure that utilizes a scope and is inserted through the openings connected to the digestive system. Colonoscopy falls under this category, but endoscopy can also refer to the procedure where a fiber optic camera is inserted through the mouth, traveling down to the esophagus, then to the stomach and the upper part of the intestines. This procedure obtains images for problems occurring in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Physicians select this option if symptoms show possible problems in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Manipulating the scope is similar to the one used for colonoscopy.
Types of Surgeries
Gastrointestinal surgeries come in various types. Gastroenterology physicians ensure that patients living in Cuenca, Ecuador, are treated accordingly after verifying causes and their candidacy for surgery. Common types of surgeries for gastrointestinal problems are esophagectomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy, colorectal surgery, liver resection, and others.
Conditions Requiring these Assessments
Various conditions may require assessments utilizing various scopes, such as severe stomach pain without palpable symptoms. Peptic ulcers or diseases in other organs may cause extreme stomach pain. These assessments inform physicians if the patient needs surgery or not. Images also give doctors an idea about what kind of procedures will work best for patients, like traditional gastrointestinal surgery methods or laparoscopy.
Complications
Colonoscopy and endoscopy are slightly invasive procedures, but they don’t pose significant complications for patients. Common sensations a patient may feel are bloating due to the tube entering the body, frequent gas passing, and slight stomach discomfort. The patient may be admitted to the hospital for a day to ensure rest during the first hours after undergoing colonoscopy and endoscopy.
Preparations
Despite different entrance points for both tests, patients generally need to ensure their digestive system is clean. This is to provide physicians with a clear and unobstructed view of the intestinal, gastric, and esophageal linings, where the causes of diseases can be found. The patient will undergo fasting for eight to 12 hours before the scheduled procedure, ensuring a good water supply to thoroughly clean the system. The physician may provide numerous tips to help clean a patient’s digestive system. Anesthetics will be provided to minimize discomfort during the procedure. If the patient needs surgery, another set of reminders and follow-up check-ups will be required.
Our gastroenterology department is ready to help you deal with various conditions in your digestive system. Call us today for an appointment at 410-8745 or send us an email.
*Originally published on Find Health in Ecuador October 14, 2014
