Why will you ask to take my
picture?
We are now taking patient photos to include in our new Electronic Medical
Record system. Having patient photos will assist the staff and physicians
in putting a face with a name when looking at your chart in preparation for your
visit or after test results come in. We can retake your photo at your next
visit if you like.
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What is Gastroenterology?
Gastroenterology ("GI") is the medical
subspecialty involving the evaluation and management of disorders of the
digestive system; this includes disorders of the esophagus, stomach, small
intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, and biliary system, including the gall
bladder. Swallowing difficulties, indigestion, heartburn, ulcer disease,
abdominal pain, inflammatory bowel diseases, Hepatitis, polyps and cancers are
some of the GI problems treated. Gastroenterologists work closely with
primary care physicians and other special consultants to provide the best
medical care and recommendations for every patient.
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What are EGD and Colonoscopy, and why are they
necessary?
Many problems of the digestive tract cannot be
diagnosed by an x-ray. Scopes allow us to thoroughly examine the inside of
your digestive tract to detect abnormal tissue that may be causing you problems.
EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is the examination of your upper
digestive tract. It is more accurate than an x-ray. Sometimes, an
EGD is used for treatment, such as the stretching of a narrowed esophagus,
removal of polyps or swallowed foreign objects.
Colonoscopy is the examination of your lower intestinal tract or
colon. It is a major advancement in the diagnosis, prevention and
treatment of colon cancer. It is the most effective way to detect and
remove polyps that can develop into cancer. Before Colonoscopy, major
surgery was necessary to remove colon polyps to determine if they were benign or
malignant. Now, most can be removed easily and safely without surgery.
In addition, many other conditions can be diagnosed such as diverticulosis,
colitis, inflammatory diseases and infections.
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What exactly is an endoscope?
An endoscope is a small fiberoptic instrument
that the doctor uses to examine your digestive tract. He sees all of your
tissues by manipulating the scope with the aid of a light source.
During the EGD we use a gastroscope. This is a long flexible
tube about the thickness of your finger, which is passed through your mouth into
your esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
A colonoscope is longer and is passed during the Colonoscopy through the
rectum to examine the entire colon lining. Back
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Do I need to do anything special to prepare?
For an EGD your stomach must be empty. This means
for a morning appointment you should not eat or drink after midnight the evening before your exam.
If you are scheduled an afternoon exam, you can have clear liquids (broth, apple
juice, cranberry juice, soda pop, coffee, tea, lemon or pineapple jello) in the
morning but nothing for 6 hours prior to your appointment. (Unless you are a
patient of Dr. Brock or Dr. Landers - they prefer you have nothing after
midnight the evening before the exam.)
For a Colonoscopy your colon needs to be empty of waste material.
You will achieve this by using a bowel cleansing preparation, as specified by
your physician. Complete instructions accompany the preparation. You
may have only clear liquids once you start the preparation and no solid food
until after your exam. Please select the prep name you were given when you
scheduled your procedure to view the instructions your physician will want you to follow (if you have trouble with
the suggested prep there may be an alternate available):
colyte
colyte 10-2
fleet prep kit #3
visicol
fleet 48 hour
miralax and gatorade prep
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What will happen during the procedure?
The procedure will cause you little or no discomfort.
Your doctor will give you enough medication both before and during the procedure
through a vein to make you relaxed and sleepy. The procedure will be
performed while you are lying in a comfortable position.
After the exam is over, you will be watched until most of the effects of the
medication have worn off. You may feel bloated after the procedure from
air that was introduced into your system during the exam. You should be
able to eat normally afterwards unless we instruct you otherwise.
As you will be groggy afterwards, it is necessary to have someone available
to drive you home. Back to top
What happens if the doctor finds something
abnormal?
If the doctor finds a suspicious area, he can take a
biopsy with small forceps through the scope. This will cause no additional
discomfort.
Sometimes the doctor finds a polyp. A polyp is a benign growth that can
become malignant in time, if it is not removed. It can vary in size from a
tiny dot to several inches. It the doctor feels it's necessary he may
remove the polyp during the exam using a hot wire loop or hot forceps.
Again, this is done through the scope and causes you no additional pain.
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Can there be complications?
EGD, Colonoscopy and polypectomy are safe and are
associated with very low risk when performed by physicians who have been
specially trained and are experienced in these endoscopic procedures.
One possible complication is perforation in which a tear through the wall of
the bowel may allow leakage of intestinal fluids. This complication
usually requires surgery but may be managed with antibiotics and intravenous
fluids in selected cases.
Bleeding may occur from the site of the biopsy or polyps removal. It is
usually minor and stops on its own or can be controlled by cauterization
(application of electrical current) through the colonoscopy. Rarely,
transfusion s or surgery may be required.
Localized irritation of the vein may occur at the site of the medication
injection. A tender lump develops which may remain for several weeks to
several months but goes away eventually. Other risks include drug
reactions and complication from unrelated diseases such as heart attack or
stroke. Back to top
