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Food Restrictions
Before some types of endoscopy you may be asked not to eat or drink for a certain period of time, or you may be asked to clear the colon of stool with enemas or laxatives.
Your doctor will explain exactly what you need to do to prepare for your endoscopy.
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Endoscopy is a 'catch all' term for a way of diagnosing problems inside the body. An endoscope is a medical device consisting of a camera mounted on a flexible tube.
In gastrointestinal endoscopy, this device is inserted through the mouth or anus. For other areas, small incisions are made. While the endoscope is only a camera, other small instruments can be used to take samples of suspicious tissues through the endoscope
There are many types of endoscope, and they are named in relation to the organs or areas they explore. Endoscopes used to look directly at the ovaries, appendix, or other abdominal organs, for example, are called laparoscopes (laparoscopy).
Other endoscopes are inserted through incisions to look at joints (arthroscopy) or the lungs (bronchoscopy), and still others are used to view the inside of the bladder (cystoscopy).
An endoscopy may be performed for a variety of signs and symptoms, including bleeding, pain, difficulty swallowing, and a change in bowel habits. Exams of the colon may also be performed to screen for colon polyps and colon cancer.
Patients are sedated and generally experience no discomfort other than from the small incision if the scope is inserted into an incision, or a mildly soar throat if the scope is inserted through the mouth.
Family is allowed to be with the patient except for a few minutes before and after the procedure. If you have question, please call Lutheran's Endoscopy Department at 260-435-7407.
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