Expert Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy Services in Sydney and Sydney South West
What is Endoscopy?
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- Endoscopy is a common term used to represent gastroscopy and colonoscopy.
- It is a flexible camera-based examination of one’s gastrointestinal tract to either diagnose (diagnostic or screening), treats (therapeutic) or survey pathologies.
- Gastroscopy: Involved examination of the oesophagus, stomach and the initial part of the small bowel called the duodenum.
- Colonoscopy: involves an examination of the large bowel including the anus and the last part of the small bowel called the terminal ileum.
When to seek surgical help?
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- Anyone over the age of 50 is recommended to have a colonoscopy in Australia as the risk of developing colon cancer and the incidence of finding colon cancer and polyps increases beyond this age.
- Symptoms or findings that prompt endoscopy (both gastroscopy and colonoscopy): Weight loss, anaemia from blood loss through the gastrointestinal tract and abdominal pain.
- Symptoms needing gastroscopy: Difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pain and vomiting blood.
- Symptoms need colonoscopy: Black stools, bleeding from the rectum, positive occult blood test of stools, family history of bowel cancer, history of inflammatory bowel disease, diverticular disease and history of polyps.
What is involved in having an endoscopy?
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- Fasting: Patients need to be fasted overnight prior to endoscopy. Occasionally, they need to fast for more than one day.
- Bowel preparation: For colonoscopy, the patients need to be on a liquid diet for 1-2 days leading up to the procedure. This also requires medications that clean the large bowel off any stools to allow for proper examination.
- Endoscopy is performed under sedation (twilight anaesthesia)
What to expect after endoscopy?
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- Endoscopy is a day procedure. Patients can often go home the same day except in some therapeutic endoscopies where one may need to stay overnight.
- Follow up in a clinic in a couple of weeks, allowing time for biopsies taken to be processed.
Are you or a loved one in Sydney or South-Western Sydney, NSW, in need of a gastroscopy or colonoscopy?
Are you or a loved one in Sydney or South-Western Sydney, NSW, in need of a gastroscopy or colonoscopy? Don’t let the process intimidate you. At Precision Upper GI Surgery, we specialise in gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures. Our expert team, led by Dr Manju, is ready to provide personalised care and advanced treatment options. Take the first step towards better health. Schedule your appointment now and start your journey towards relief and recovery. Click here to book your consultation for gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures in Sydney today!