Everything You Should Know Before Getting An Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a medical procedure that allows your doctor to examine the inside of your body. It’s a common procedure that is used to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions. Endoscopy means “looking inside,” and that’s exactly what this procedure does.

Types of Endoscopy

There are various types of endoscopy, and the type you have will depend on the part of your body that your doctor needs to examine. The most common types of endoscopy are:

• Upper GI endoscopy (gastroscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy): 

This type of endoscopy is also known as upper endoscopy used to examine the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract, including your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of your small intestine).

• Lower GI endoscopy (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy): 

This type of endoscopy is used to examine the lower part of your GI tract or part of your large intestine or the lower end such as the rectum and colon.

• Bronchoscopy: This type of endoscopy is used to examine your lungs and airways.

Other types of endoscopy include:

• Cystoscopy - examination of urinary tract

• Colposcopy - examination of the cervix

• Hysteroscopy - examination of the uterus

Why Do You Need an Endoscopy?

This procedure may be required to diagnose the causes of certain symptoms. It is essential for the medical treatment of certain diseases. For example, you may need an endoscopy if you have symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting blood, heartburn, difficulty swallowing or bleeding from your rectum to find any abnormal growths and other abnormalities that may cause it.

Your doctor may also recommend you to have it if you have a condition like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis to check for problems like inflammation, bleeding, or blockages.

Besides diagnostic procedures, endoscopy also may be used as one of the treatment options. For example, a gastroenterologist or surgeon may combine laparoscopic surgery and endoscopy to remove abnormal growth in your digestive tract.

Endoscopy also may assist in the removal of abnormal structures like cysts and polyps. It also can deliver medication to a specific location. Hence besides helping with diagnosis, it can also be a therapeutic procedure.

What Conditions Can Be Detected with an Endoscopy?

Endoscopy can be used to detect a range of conditions, including GI endoscopies like colonoscopy and gastroscopy can detect gastrointestinal problems like:

• Colon cancer and other types of GI cancer

• Polyps

• Ulcers

• Hiatus hernia

• Gastritis

• Acid reflux disease

Bronchoscopy can detect lungs problem such as:

• Lung cancer
• Infection
• Pneumonia
• Tuberculosis

Cystoscopy can detect urinary tract problems, such as:

• Bladder cancer
• Kidney stones
• Prostate enlargement

Preparation for an endoscopy depends on the type of endoscopy you are having.

You usually will need to fast for several hours before your endoscopy. This means you should not eat nor drink anything except clear liquids like water or broth. You will also need to avoid smoking and chewing gum.

Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for your endoscopy. Some endoscopies will require you to drink preparation solutions to clear your bowels or stomach. This will allow the doctor to get a clear view of relevant organ walls that need to be seen during the procedure.

You may also get a physical examination before endoscopy to find out if you are fit to undergo the procedure.

What will happen during an endoscopy?

Endoscopy is usually done in a day or outpatient procedure, which means you can go home the same day. The procedure will be done in a hospital or clinic. You will be given a sedative to help you relax, and you may be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area being examined.

The endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end. The camera sends images of your internal structures to a computer screen, and your doctor will be able to see these images as they guide the endoscope through your body.

During the endoscopy, your doctor may take samples of tissue (biopsies) to be tested for conditions like cancer.

Which doctor will perform the endoscopy procedure?

An endoscopy will usually be performed by a gastroenterologist, who is a doctor that specializes in problems of the digestive system. In some cases, other types of doctors like surgeons for example colorectal surgeons may perform the endoscopy.

For example, a pulmonologist may perform a bronchoscopy to examine your lungs and airways, while a urologist may perform a cystoscopy to examine your urinary tract.

How long does an endoscopy take?

The length of time endoscopy takes varies depending on the type of endoscopy being done. Simple procedures like upper endoscopies usually only take 15-30 minutes, while more complex procedures like colonoscopies may take 60-90 minutes.

Recovery after endoscopy

After the endoscopy, you will be taken to a recovery area where you will be monitored until the sedative wears off. Once it does, you will be able to go home.

You should not drive or operate machinery for the rest of the day. You should also avoid drinking alcohol.

It’s normal to have some abdominal cramping after GI endoscopy. You can take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen to help relieve these symptoms. You may also experience some bloating and air in your stomach after the procedure, but this is usually relieved by passing wind.

Risk and side effects of endoscopy

There are some risks associated with endoscopy, but these are usually minor and temporary.

Endoscopy is a safe and effective procedure. Complications are rare but can include bleeding, infection, and perforation (a hole in the wall of your organ).

If you experience any alarming symptoms after an endoscopy such as severe pain, bleeding, or shortness of breath, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Results of endoscopy

Your doctor will discuss the results of your endoscopy with you after the procedure. If a biopsy was taken during the endoscopy, it may take a few days to get the results back.

What if I have an abnormal endoscopy?

An abnormal endoscopy does not necessarily mean that you have a serious condition. In many cases, abnormal results simply require further testing or close monitoring by your doctor.

If your endoscopy reveals a more serious problem, your doctor will discuss the next steps with you. These may include medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes.

Cost of endoscopy in Malaysia

Endoscopy costs in Malaysia can vary depending on the type of endoscopy and the clinic or hospital you go to. This procedure is available in government hospitals for a cheaper cost but the waiting time may be long. The cost may be covered by insurance. However, it’s always best to check with your insurance provider.

You can get an endoscopy at affordable prices in Malaysia when compared to her neighbouring countries. Hence, many international patients visited Malaysia just for medical care at a private hospital due to the endoscopy cost being low. The cost for an endoscopy ranges from RM1,000-RM3,000. Consulting a consultant (general surgeon) is part of the hospital services being offered after an endoscopy.

Where to get an endoscopy in Malaysia?

If you need an endoscopy, there are many endoscopy centres and private hospitals in Malaysia that can provide the procedure. You can find endoscopy centres in most major cities like Kuala Lumpur.

It’s important to choose a reputable endoscopy centre with experienced doctors. The endoscopy centre should also be accredited by the Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Looking for an endoscopy centre in Malaysia? DoctorOnCall can help you. Our partner endoscopy centres are equipped with the latest technology and experienced doctors to help you every step of the way. Book your appointment now and get started on your road to recovery.