An endoscopy test is a medical procedure that is done to take a look inside the digestive tract of the person. It is a completely non-surgical procedure and is used as a means to diagnose any underlying issue in the organs or vessels of the body. This helps to correctly identify the issues like abdominal pain, gastritis, ulcers, bowel habit changes, and more in the body. The procedure is relatively pain fee as it does not involve any surgical procedures and can be conducted in just a day with no specific requirement of overnight stay or admission to the hospital.
The endoscopy test has different phases like the preparatory period, endoscopy, and recovery. The preparatory period involves abstaining from eating or drinking for several hours before the test. The doctors may also prescribe a laxative to clear the bowels beforehand during a colonoscopy.
During the endoscopy test, the person is kept awake and local anesthesia is provided to numb the specific part of the body. The person may also be provided a sedative. Once the sensation is lost after the use of anesthesia or sedative, the doctors perform the endoscopy by inserting a flexible tube called an endoscope or gastroscope via the mouth or other cut opening and is passed through to the esophagus and into the stomach. The whole process takes around 15 minutes to 45 minutes.
Once the endoscopy test is done, the patient is required to take a rest for a couple of hours before moving on with their normal activities.
The cost of a Endoscopy test depends on various factors like:
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Endoscopy helps in detecting the inflammation or abnormalities in the stomach and intestinal regions. This helps in identifying any issues that may lead to bigger problems like ulcers or tumors.