Endoscopy

An endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure used to examine the inside of your digestive tract. During the procedure, your doctor will slide an endoscope—a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera attached to it—into your mouth and down your esophagus (swallowing pipe). Before your procedure, you’ll receive medicines to relax you and prevent throat pain.

Upper Endoscopy

An upper endoscopy allows your doctor see the inside of your esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine. This test checks for problems that cause belly pain, nausea, vomiting, trouble swallowing, or bleeding.

Your care team will provide you with specific directions on how to prepare for an upper endoscopy.

Capsule Endoscopy

For a capsule endoscopy, you simply swallow a small pill with a tiny camera inside it. The camera sends images of the inside of your digestive tract to a recorder worn around your waist. The doctor will look at the images on a computer after the pill completes its journey through your body.

A colonoscopy is the most effective colorectal cancer screening. This test uses a thin, lighted tube with a video camera to look for polyps in your large intestine and rectum. Your doctor can remove polyps during the procedure to test them for cancer. You’ll be sedated during the procedure.

Two days before the test, you will start eating a special diet and supplements to empty your intestine. This allows your doctor to see your colon clearly during the procedure. Your care team will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for a colonoscopy.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy 

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure where a trained medical professional uses a flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny camera on one end, called a sigmoidoscope or scope, to look inside your rectum and lower colon, also called the sigmoid colon and descending colon. The procedure can be a little uncomfortable but you can return to your regular activity and foods that day. 

An advanced endoscopy is when your provider uses special technology accessories and equipment that allows them to manage the more complex medical issues. Procedures that can be performed by advanced endoscopic providers include endoscopic ultrasound and ERCP. 

While all gastroenterologists are trained in advanced endoscopy procedures,  Essentia has several advanced endoscopy subspecialists who have additional training.

Endoscopic Ultrasound

During an endoscopic ultrasound, a thin tube sends out sound waves that create pictures of the inside of your digestive tract. This test can find the cause of belly pain and look at the pancreas, bile duct, and gallbladder.

ERCP

During an ERCP, a thin tube is used to inject dye into the bile ducts in your digestive tract so they show up on X-rays. This helps your doctor examine or treat gallstones, blockages, tumors, and other conditions.