Endoscopy is a procedure in which an instrument with a camera at the tip is entered through the mouth and the first parts of the esophagus, stomach and small intestines are examined. During this procedure, the doctor performing the endoscopy watches the procedure on the screen. Although the duration of the procedure varies depending on the patient, it generally varies between 5-10 minutes. In addition, biopsies can be taken from suspicious areas during endoscopy, and biopsies can be taken to investigate the presence of bacteria (Helicobacter pylori) in the stomach.
The biggest concern of all patients about endoscopy is what they will experience during the procedure, nausea. The occurrence of discomfort such as retching. In fact, this is not an unjust concern. In the past, during endoscopy procedures, local anesthesia was applied only to the throat area with a spray and the procedures were performed. Although this anesthesia relaxes the throat, it cannot fully suppress the patient's psychological nausea-gagging reflex. In addition, in recent years, intravenous administration of sleeping pills has been used to create drowsiness in the patient and thus make endoscopy more comfortable. This method works for some patients, but for some patients, sleeping pills are not effective enough. In addition, since using sleeping pills may cause retroactive short-term memory loss, it raises concerns in some patients that the procedure is not performed.
The most preferred and most comfortable method in the world in recent years is to have endoscopy with "propofol" anesthesia. This method allows the patient to sleep completely and not feel anything during the procedure. After propofol anesthesia, which is a very safe method in competent hands, most patients can return to their daily activities with a 2-3 hour rest. Although it is not very common in Turkey, propofol anesthesia is applied especially in the hospital environment.
Especially in some patients, not only endoscopy but also colonoscopy can be performed at the same time. With propofol anesthesia, endoscopy and colonoscopy can be easily performed simultaneously while anesthetized. Unless there is an extraordinary situation, endoscopy and colonoscopy are completed within half an hour, and when the patient wakes up within 5-10 minutes after the procedure, he finds out very comfortably that both procedures are completed. Probe is the most suitable method for human health and psychology. ofol anesthesia should be the preferred method as much as possible.
Who should have endoscopy?
Endoscopy is a diagnostic tool used in complaints of the stomach and related organs. It is used not only for diagnostic purposes but also sometimes for treatment purposes (especially in cases such as bleeding and polyps). Endoscopy is preferred in patients with stomach complaints, especially in the following cases:
1. Stomach complaints over the age of 40
2. Stomach bleeding
3. Stomach pain and
a. Weight loss
b. If there is no improvement despite medications
c. Abdominal mass
d. Accompanying nausea and vomiting
e. Difficulty swallowing
f. Symptoms such as fever and fatigue
g. Stomach cancer in the family
h. The patient's request (fear of cancer, etc.)
In patients undergoing endoscopy, the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (duodenum) are examined. Usually, a sample is taken by biopsy to investigate H.pylori microbe. Suspicious areas are carefully examined. For example, in people with long-term reflux disease, there may be some chronic changes in the lower end of the esophagus. Rarely, there may be areas in this area that may turn into cancer. Taking biopsies from these areas is important for early cancer diagnosis. In the stomach, every square centimeter should be examined carefully. Taking biopsies from suspicious areas detected here is very important and life-saving in the early diagnosis of stomach cancer. Therefore, there are two important points that need to be considered: The first is the experience and training of the doctor performing the endoscopy. A doctor who is not experienced in this field may miss very small formations. For this reason, before having endoscopy, doctors with advanced experience in the field of endoscopy should be preferred. Otherwise, stomach cancer may occur, although rarely, after a seemingly normal endoscopy. The second is the quality of the endoscopy device.
In recent years, the quality of endoscopy devices has improved significantly with the developing technology. To briefly mention these developments, thanks to the new endoscopy add-ons called NBI and FICE, formations that are invisible with normal light become visible by changing the wavelength of the light. In this way, early cancer diagnosis becomes easier. In another application called the dyeing method, various dyes are used. The oils are sprayed into the stomach and washed out after a few minutes. Very small formations can be seen, especially with an endoscope that has a magnification feature (like 100 times). Such methods can be used in selected patient groups.
These applications are used in the diagnosis of diseases affecting this region of the duodenum, such as celiac disease and lymphoma. Ulcers are also common in this region. Many diseases can be ruled out after a quality endoscopy. Contrary to popular belief, there is no need to perform frequent endoscopy, such as every 3 months, to control the disease. Because when endoscopy is performed again for a long time, nothing different occurs.
Therefore, if endoscopy is necessary, this endoscopy should be performed by a RELIABLE, DETAILED, EXPERIENCED DOCTOR AND AN ADVANCED INSTRUMENTand frequently. Endoscopy should not be performed.
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