Gastroenterology is a medical field that covers the intestines, stomach, and other internal organs that aid digestion. There are many procedures that these specialists use to diagnose disorders of the esophagus, colon, and the different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Here are some exams that patients can receive at gastroenterology in Jacksonville, FL.
Upper Endoscopy
An upper endoscopy is also referred to as an EGD. EGDs take anywhere from five to 20 minutes. Before the appointment, the patient will have to stop eating and drinking for several hours to ensure that the stomach is empty. The physician will use a special camera to look down the throat and into the stomach at the visit. Some of the conditions that the doctor might discover during this exam are hernias and ulcers. Another form of endoscopy uses an encapsulated camera.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy covers the intestinal tract. The patient needs to clean out their entire digestive system for this procedure. In the examination room, most people will get lightly sedated. Once relaxed, the doctor will look at the lining with a tiny camera on a tube. Some problems that these specialists can often detect during a colonoscopy are polyps. Polyps are abnormal growths along the intestine. The physician can remove the polyps during the procedure with a tool attached to the end of the camera. The surgical team will send the growths to a pathology lab for further testing. This exam can take around an hour.
For more information on gastroenterology in Jacksonville, FL, contact Digestive Disease Consultants today.
