Endoscopy of Large Intestine

Your doctor has recommended that you have a lower GI endoscopy. But what does that actually mean? A lower GI endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure used by your doctor to inspect the inside of your rectum and colon. While it's considered a surgical procedure, endoscopy does not involve an incision. Instead, your doctor will pass a flexible tube, called an endoscope through your anus and into your rectum and colon. This tube has a tiny video camera mounted on its tip. It also contains a small tool used for taking tissue samples. Your doctor can use the endoscope to inspect the entire lower half of your digestive system. Your doctor can use the endoscope to inspect the entire lower half of your digestive system. Movie In some cases, the shape of the colon makes it impossible to pass the endoscope as far into the body as the doctor would like. Your doctor may decide to take a series of x-rays - or even to perform surgery - in order to inspect the hidden area. Reasons for undergoing a lower GI endoscopy vary. You may have been suffering from one or more of a number symptoms - including blood in your stool, weight loss, chronic irregularity or other problems associated with the digestive system. Some gastrointestinal symptoms can be warning signs of serious medical problems and you should take your doctor's recommendation to have an endoscopy very seriously. Luckily, the vast majority of medical problems diagnosed by endoscopy are treatable and you should look forward to improved health and comfort as a result of the information gathered during the procedure.

PreOp | April 9, 2009

Tags:. .endoscope. .incision. .intestine. .irregularity. .stool