Heartburn, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, and changes in bowel habits can happen for many reasons. While these symptoms do not always require an endoscopy, a doctor may recommend one when symptoms persist, do not improve with treatment, or suggest a problem that needs a closer look.
Endoscopy allows a gastroenterologist to examine the digestive tract for inflammation, narrowing, bleeding, ulcers, and other abnormalities that may be contributing to symptoms. At Lane Regional Medical Center, patients in Zachary have access to gastroenterology and endoscopy services to evaluate digestive concerns.
Doctors may recommend an endoscopy when symptoms, medical history, or previous testing suggest that a closer look at the digestive tract could help identify the cause of a problem. The decision also depends on how long the symptoms have been present, whether they are worsening, and whether treatment has helped.
For some patients, a doctor may first recommend laboratory testing, imaging, medication changes, or other forms of evaluation. For others, symptoms may point to an area of the digestive tract that needs to be examined more directly.
The type of symptoms also matters. Persistent reflux may prompt evaluation of the upper digestive tract, while rectal bleeding or ongoing changes in bowel habits may require evaluation of the colon.
Several digestive symptoms may prompt a doctor to consider endoscopy, particularly when they persist, worsen, or fail to improve with treatment. The symptoms and the area of the digestive system involved help determine which procedure may be appropriate.
These may include:
Having one of these symptoms does not automatically mean an endoscopy is necessary. A doctor can evaluate the overall pattern of symptoms, medical history, and previous treatment to determine which type of testing may be appropriate.
Endoscopy allows a gastroenterologist to directly examine the lining of certain parts of the digestive tract. This can provide information that may not be available through bloodwork, imaging, or symptoms alone.
Depending on the procedure, endoscopy can help identify inflammation, ulcers, narrowing, sources of gastrointestinal bleeding, polyps, abnormal tissue, and other changes within the digestive tract. If an area needs further evaluation, a tissue sample may also be collected during some endoscopic procedures.
This direct view of the digestive tract can be particularly useful when symptoms continue, and other evaluations have not provided enough information to determine the cause.
Endoscopy can help diagnose or evaluate a variety of conditions affecting the digestive tract. What a gastroenterologist looks for depends on the patient's symptoms and the part of the digestive system being examined.
Conditions and abnormalities that may be evaluated through endoscopy include:
Endoscopy may also allow the gastroenterologist to take a biopsy when tissue needs closer examination. The findings can help guide treatment or determine whether additional testing is needed.
Patients with ongoing digestive concerns can receive specialized evaluation through Lane Gastroenterology
The type of endoscopy used depends on the symptoms and which part of the digestive tract needs to be examined. Upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, and capsule endoscopy allow doctors to evaluate different areas of the digestive system.
An upper endoscopy examines the esophagus, stomach, and beginning of the small intestine. It may be used to evaluate concerns such as persistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, upper abdominal pain, ulcers, or upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
A colonoscopy examines the colon and rectum. In addition to its role in colorectal cancer screening, it may be recommended to evaluate concerns such as rectal bleeding, persistent bowel habit changes, or other lower digestive symptoms. Patients can find additional information about when to schedule a colonoscopy.
A capsule endoscopy uses a small camera contained in a capsule that is swallowed to capture images as it moves through the digestive tract. It can help evaluate areas of the small intestine that are difficult to view with traditional upper endoscopy or colonoscopy. Lane also provides more information about capsule endoscopy and when it may be used.
These procedures are among the options available through Lane's digestive health and endoscopy services.
Endoscopy can help identify abnormal tissue, polyps, or other changes that may need further evaluation for cancer. The procedure alone does not always determine whether an abnormal area is cancerous.
If a gastroenterologist identifies an area of concern during an endoscopy, a biopsy may be performed when appropriate. A small tissue sample is collected and examined to determine whether abnormal or cancerous cells are present.
Endoscopic procedures also play an important role in identifying certain precancerous changes. During a colonoscopy, for example, polyps can be identified and may be removed before they have the opportunity to develop into colorectal cancer.
Patients in the Zachary area can access upper and lower endoscopy, colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and other procedures through the Lane Endoscopy Center. These procedures can help gastroenterologists evaluate persistent digestive symptoms and determine the appropriate next steps for care.
If digestive symptoms persist despite treatment, or if your doctor recommends a closer evaluation of the digestive tract, request appointment information from Lane Regional.
Written by
This blog was written by Diana Curras Martin, M.D., a board-certified gastroenterologist at Lane Gastroenterology. Dr. Curras Martin specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders and liver disease and performs procedures including colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, and capsule endoscopy.