An endoscopy is a procedure that involves inserting a long, flexible tube—known as an endoscope—down the throat. Equipped with a small camera, it allows the physician to examine various areas such as the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.
Through this procedure, signs and symptoms are evaluated to detect gastrointestinal diseases and disorders—and, in some cases, treat them directly.
What Types of Endoscopy Exist?
Depending on the primary objective, a specific type of endoscopy will be performed:
Gastroscopy
Used to study the upper digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. It is routinely performed to evaluate the causes of abdominal discomforts such as heartburn, burning sensations, nausea, or difficulty swallowing, among others.
Colonoscopy
An examination used to detect changes or abnormalities within the large intestine (colon) and rectum. If necessary, polyps and other types of abnormal tissue can be removed using the colonoscope during the procedure; tissue samples (biopsies) can also be collected.
A doctor may order a colonoscopy to investigate intestinal signs and symptoms, screen for colon cancer, or search for polyps.
Therapeutic Endoscopy
Utilizing a suite of endoscopic techniques, this approach allows physicians to definitively treat certain lesions or provide palliative care for others, improving the patient’s quality of life and prognosis.
Both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies have a wide range of applications, including:
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
- Foreign body removal
- Treating obstructions
- Polypectomy
- Hemostatic techniques (bleeding control)
- Treatment for hemorrhoids, obesity, and Zenker’s diverticulum
At the Internal Medicine Department at Centro Médico ABC, we offer specialized Endoscopy services. Contact us today!
