An endoscopy is a medical procedure that allows doctors to look inside the body to examine internal organs or cavities directly. It involves the use of an endoscope—a long, thin, flexible tube with a small camera and light at the tip. This tube is inserted into the body through a natural opening such as the mouth, anus, or urethra, or through a small incision in the skin, depending on the type of endoscopy. During the procedure, the camera on the endoscope transmits images to a screen, enabling the doctor to see the inside of organs in real time. This helps diagnose and sometimes treat different medical conditions. For example, doctors can remove tissue samples (biopsies), locate and remove tumors or foreign objects, and address bleeding or blockages. There are several types of endoscopy, each targeting different parts of the body:
- Gastroscopy: through the mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.
- Colonoscopy: through the anus to inspect the large bowel.
- Bronchoscopy: through the mouth to view the airways and lungs.
- Cystoscopy: through the urethra to check the bladder.
- Hysteroscopy: through the vagina and cervix to view the uterus.
- Capsule endoscopy: swallowing a capsule with a camera that transmits images wirelessly.
- Arthroscopy and laparoscopy: through small skin incisions for joints or abdominal/pelvic examination.
Endoscopy is usually performed under sedation or general anesthesia, and patients often need someone to accompany them home afterward. It is a valuable tool for diagnosing symptoms such as bleeding, pain, difficulty swallowing, and abnormal growths, and it can also be used for treatment purposes during the procedure. In summary, an endoscopy is a minimally invasive technique to visually inspect and sometimes treat conditions inside the body without major surgery. It provides doctors a direct and clear view of internal parts that other imaging methods might not show as directly.
