Endoscopy

Endoscopic examination permits to examine internal organs with the help of illumination optical system – endoscope. Rigid endoscopes are most commonly used in surgery, while flexible ones are intended for diagnostics. ENT-organs, rectum, liver and bile-excreting ducts are examined with the use of endoscopes.

Gastroscopy

Fibroesogastroduodenoscopy or gastroscopy (FEGDS) is an effective and most reliable examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, which is performed by the video gastroscope (at Healthy & Happy Medical Center by modern Olympus apparatus).

The examination helps the doctor to identify the nature of inflammation, check for neoplasms of the upper gastrointestinal tract, the degree of GIT damage, and, based on the data obtained, prescribe treatment. Gastroscopy is performed to confirm and /or exclude the diagnosis, namely: peptic ulcer, gastritis, neoplasms of the stomach, and duodenum. In addition, the procedure is prescribed for the prevention of the digestive system diseases after 35-40 years.

Gastroscopy is performed if peptic ulcer disease, erosion, gastritis, esophagitis, duodenitis, cancer of the esophagus and/or stomach, including if the patient is at risk.

Indications to FEGDS:

  • doctor's prescription;
  • pain in the stomach;
  • violation of the food passage;
  • lack of appetite;
  • nausea;
  • vomiting;
  • heartburn;
  • weight loss;
  • strange bodies in the stomach;
  • preventive measures.

FEGDS is performed on an empty stomach, so you must avoid eating for 8-9 hours before the examination. In addition, it is recommended to limit the consumption of carbonated drinks, alcohol, tomatoes, pickles, black coffee, acidic foods.

A biopsy (taking pieces of tissue or fluid samples) for histological analysis can be performed on time FEGDS, by the prescription of a doctor. This process is completely painless and safe. After endoscopic examinations, in which a biopsy was performed, patients immediately return to their normal lifestyle.

At the Healthy&Happy Medical Center, during a gastroscopy, doctors can perform a biopsy of:

  • gastrointestinal tract neoplasms;
  • gastric mucosa to assess according to the Sydney system, OLGA and OLGIM systems (five samples should be taken);
  • Helicobacter pylori.

Indications for biopsy in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract:

  • identification of damaged areas of the mucosa during endoscopic examination (with gastroscopy or colonoscopy);
  • suspicion of malignant neoplasms, identification of the primary origin source and metastases;
  • verification of the damage degree and the development of the disease stage;
  • monitoring treatment effectiveness.

During gastroscopy, according to the doctor's prescription, a pH-control is performed, which helps to assess the functional state of the gastrointestinal tract middle sections by the acidity level measuring directly in the stomach.

This procedure allows us to detect the factors accompanying reflux, assess the functional state of the stomach, including after surgery or in preparation for it, as well as confirm the effectiveness of treatment, adjust the nutrition in accordance with the individual characteristics of the stomach acidity.

Indications for pH-control:

  • peptic ulcer;
  • gastritis.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is an examination for early diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors of the colon, as well as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, etc. During a colonoscopy, the condition of the colon mucosa is visually assessed.

Colonoscopy can detect or exclude intestinal diseases such as polyps, tumors, including cancers in the early stages of development, as well as colitis.

The indications for colonoscopy are:

  •  discharge of blood and / or mucus from the rectum;
  • intestinal dysfunction (constipation or diarrhea);
  • bally pain or bloating;
  • increased fatigue and constant weakness;
  • violations in blood tests: a decrease in hemoglobin, the presence of specific tumor markers;
  • specific symptoms detected by X-ray examination or/and ultrasound test;
  • if the patient belongs to a risk group (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, cancer);
  • suspicion of any colon disease, a tumor, and/or the presence of polyps.

For the purpose of prevention, it is recommended to get the procedure after 45 years of age annually.

In addition to diagnostics, colonoscopy allows the doctor to perform various therapeutic manipulations, namely:

  • removal of benign tumors;
  • stopping bleeding;
  • biopsy of mucous membranes for diagnosis.

Contraindications:

  • in acute infectious diseases, peritonitis;
  • in the later stages of heart and lung failure, severe blood clotting disorders;
  • severe forms of ulcerative and ischemic colitis.

The procedure requires special preparation of the intestines: it concludes in adhering to a diet and cleaning the colon from the contents. To choose the colon cleaning method, a preliminary consultation with a doctor is required. He will help a patient choose the best method for him.