Endoscopy
Upper endoscopy is the placement of a long fiberoptic tube down the alimentary (gastrointestinal) tract to look for pathology.
In upper endoscopy, the mouth, throat (pharynx), esophagus, stomach and first part of the intestine (duodenum) are visualized. This is called esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).
EGD is ideal for evaluating upper abdominal pain or dyspepsia (poor digestion). Poor digestion may cause abdominal bloating after meals, cramping, burping and heatburn.
Dyspepsia has many causes including tumors, polyps, gastric infections, hiatal hernia, gastric ulcers, scarring, reflux disease, etc. EGD helps sort out these myriad of causes so that treatment may be individualized. EGD is an outpatient procedure which takes only 5-10 minutes.
ColonoscopyColonoscopy, or lower endoscopy, is indicated when there is rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or as a screening procedure for colon cancer.
Diseases of the colon may present as rectal bleeding, obstruction or even perforation. Rectal bleeding is usually due to benign causes, such as hemorrhoids, benign polyps, diverticuli, arteriovenous malformations, anal fissures, inflammatory or infectious colitis, and other causes. Colon cancer is very common, especially in patients 50 years or older.