Endoscopies
Endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure used to examine a person's digestive tract. Endoscopies look into the upper gastrointestinal tract to investigate symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal bleeding. During the procedure, an endoscope is inserted directly into an organ to examine the inside of the organ. The patient may be fully conscious while partially sedated or put under anesthesia. This quick and painless procedure can help diagnose cancer, widen a narrow esophagus, and allow a surgeon to perform biopsies, including clipping polyps and cauterizing a bleeding blood vessel.
Colonoscopies
Colonoscopies look into the lower gastrointestinal tract and examine the whole colon. Once the patient is sedated, an endoscope is inserted directly into the anus and passed into the colon for examination. A colonoscopy allows for a visual diagnosis of polyps and is key to the early detection of colorectal cancer. The procedure can also diagnose diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease, which can be treated. During a colonoscopy, the surgeon has the ability to clip polyps and perform a biopsy. It is recommended for individuals who are 45 years or older to get screened.