Symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bloating can be caused by various conditions. They could be caused by irritable bowel syndrome, food poisoning, or something more severe like Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, or even cancer.
. Endoscopy is an important tool utilized to diagnose some of these conditions. At Gateway Gastroenterology, our experienced specialists offer a range of endoscopic procedures to properly diagnose and treat GI disorders.
We determine the best option for each patient’s needs based on symptoms, health, and physical exam findings.
An endoscopy uses a long, specialized scope with a camera and light at its tip to view organs up close.
We insert the endoscope into the body to examine specific structures; in our practice, we examine the anus, large and small intestines, stomach, and esophagus.
An endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure we use to determine the cause of certain symptoms and to detect early colon cancer. It also allows us to visualize and remove GI tract issues, such as polyps, or to take tissue samples to rule out other conditions.
During an endoscopy, most people receive sedation to help them relax. It’s an outpatient procedure, and you can go home afterward to rest.
Many types of endoscopy exist, not just those used in the GI tract. Arthroscopies, cystoscopies, and other procedures look at other parts of the body.
At Gateway Gastroenterology, we offer a range of endoscopic procedures to evaluate and treat the GI tract. To guide you through these options, here are several of the endoscopy forms we offer:
A colonoscopy screens for colon cancer by examining the rectum and colon for abnormalities. We may take samples or remove polyps during the procedure.
We can perform a colonoscopy and an upper endoscopy together for a bi-directional endoscopy.
During an upper endoscopy, we pass a scope through the mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. We look for problems such as tumors, ulcers, or inflammation that may be causing symptoms.
A sigmoidoscopy is a colonoscopy that examines the rectum and sigmoid colon for causes of bleeding and lower abdominal pain.
If other tests are inconclusive, we offer capsule endoscopy for more answers. This involves swallowing a pill-shaped camera that captures images of the small intestine as it travels through the GI tract.
The capsule passes out with a bowel movement and can be flushed down the toilet. Pictures come to us in real time, so there’s no further need for the capsule.
To learn more about our endoscopy techniques, don’t hesitate to call our conveniently located office in Chesterfield, , Missouri. Alternatively, you can also request a consultation on our website.