As diseases become more in quantity, quality and complexity, doctors need more innovative medical tools and techniques to be able to give proper diagnoses. Ultrasonography (USG), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and CT scan are some of the innovation. Besides those, endoscopy has often been used to help doctors in producing accurate diagnoses.
Endoscopy is examining the inside parts of the body for medical reason using a tool called endoscope. It is a medical device consisting of a flexible, long, slim, lighted tube with a special camera on the end. The tube is inserted into the body through natural opening such as mouth and rectum. Patients undergoing endoscopy must abstain from eating and drinking for at least six hours prior to the procedure. Endoscope itself was invented in 1805, but the usage became popular in the 1960s when optics was discovered.
According to Hepatitis.org.uk, doctors can perform endoscopy to their patients when they show signs such as breathing disorders, trouble swallowing, abdominal pain, bleeding from the digestive tract, and unexplained chest pain.
Medical News Today elaborates that endoscopy gives medical benefits as the procedure enables doctors to examine and treat conditions of the upper digestive system, namely esophagus, stomach, and the beginning of the small intestine (duodenum). The examination technique by way of endoscopy permits a much more accurate view of upper digestive system. Compared to using x-ray which only results in indirect and shadowy picture of the stomach, endoscopy allows direct and definitely clear view of the upper digestive tract, enabling doctors to examine the interior surface in remarkable detail. Using the technique, doctors can detect abnormalities like ulcers, cancers, polyps, and inflammations.
Other than being used for diagnosing when other devices such as ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and CT scan are considered insufficient, endoscopy serves more functions. According to Cancer.Net, during endoscopy, doctors can collect tissue samples to test for some diseases and conditions. Using endoscope, doctors can do biopsies without the need for major surgery. The sample of the organs then will be checked to find out the exact disease. Furthermore, using in conjunction with special tools, endoscopy treats specific ailments of the digestive system.
It is obvious that many people benefit from endoscopy because it is a quick, painless, and minimally invasive procedure. In time with medical innovation, the procedure becomes more and more tolerable for patients. Furthermore, the technique of endoscopy is safe and if done properly results in extremely low rate of complication. As for doctors, they can get clear vision of the patients’ internal organs and give accurate diagnoses so that patients finally give the right medications and medical treatments. In the end, doctors gain trust from the patients.
