An illustrative way to identify diseases in the digestive system is called "intestinal endoscopy." What it is, what types of this method are, and how each of them is carried out - this is what the article will discuss. We also determine what diet to follow before the procedure. And find out the approximate cost of the manipulation.
Intestinal endoscopy: what is it?
This is a special research method that allows you to assess the condition of the intestinal walls from the inside using special devices. Endoscopy is performed in many medical institutions. This examination method allows you to detect diseases of the intestine and rectum.
Endoscopy is most often performed using endoscopes - long tubes made of plastic or iron with a camera at the end. Thanks to such devices, you can not only examine and take tissue for analysis, but also perform surgical interventions.
Also, when performing endoscopy, other equipment can also be used - a special camera that a person swallows during the procedure. Which device to choose - the doctor decides with the patient.
Kinds
Endoscopy is divided into the following types:
- Capsular intestinal endoscopy - when the small intestine is examined . With this method, the patient swallows a special capsule with a built-in camera.
- Colonoscopy is a method of examining all areas of the intestine.
- Rectoscopy - a way to assess the condition of the rectum.
In what cases can it be prescribed?
A medical examination called endoscopy can be performed if a person is concerned:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Pain of unknown origin in the abdomen.
- Polyps in the stomach, intestines.
- Intestinal obstruction.
- The presence of a foreign body in the intestine.
Also, the doctor may prescribe this study:
- If ulcerative colitis is suspected, Crohn's disease.
- With weight loss on the background of anemia of unknown origin or elevated temperature.
- If there is a suspicion of a tumor, an ulcer. In this case, the specialist performs a biopsy.
- To monitor the effectiveness of the treatment process.
Preparing for an examination called bowel endoscopy
What is this, we have already considered, now you need to find out what a person should do in order for the procedure to be successful.
- Cleanse the intestines from feces.
- Follow a diet.
The day before the examination, you need to put an enema or take laxatives.
You need to go on a diet 2 days before endoscopy. A person should exclude the following foods from the diet:
- Raw vegetables, fruits and berries.
- Porridge (millet, pearl barley, oatmeal).
- Greens.
- Legumes.
- Milk.
- Black bread.
- Kvass.
At this time, the ideal products are:
- Fish.
- Dairy products.
- Boiled low-fat chicken meat.
- Galetny cookies.
Contraindications
This medical examination is not performed if the patient:
- Shock condition.
- Violation of blood coagulability.
- Severe ulcerative colitis.
- Mental problems.
- Suspicion of perforation.
- Toxic megacolon (a defect in which the colon increases in size).
Complications
Endoscopy of the small intestine is an invasive procedure, that is, related to penetration into the body, but complications during its implementation are rare. Although the risk is actually there. True, it may be associated with the actions not of the doctor, but of the patient himself. For example, if a large one overdoes it too much when cleansing the intestines, then this can lead to excessive fluid loss. As a result, a person will pass out. Complications caused by the procedure itself can be as follows:
- Pain shock.
- Violation of the integrity of the intestines.
- Bleeding.
- Acute pancreatitis.
- Temporary lowering of blood pressure.
- The appearance of wounds, pustules.
As you can see, the procedure is serious, so you do not need to take it lightly.
Rectoscopy
This is a type of intestinal endoscopy. This examination is carried out by introducing into the anus of a special instrument - a sigmoidoscope. Doctors resort to rectoscopy when it is necessary to diagnose early oncological diseases of the rectum.
How to examine the intestines in this case, and in what position is the patient in the procedure? The patient should undress below the waist and stand in the knee-elbow position on the couch. First, the doctor examines the anus by palpation. Then the specialist lubricates the instrument with petroleum jelly and slowly inserts the device into the anus. Then the doctor removes the limiter and determines the sigmoidoscope deeper. Further examination is carried out under video control. The tip of the instrument moves freely along the lumen of the intestine. Upon examination, the specialist pays attention to the elasticity of the mucous membrane, structure, color of the intestine, vascular network, the presence of neoplasms.
Colonoscopy
This is another method of examination of the intestine, which allows more accurately and efficiently detect benign and malignant tumors, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis. A peculiarity of conducting a colonoscopy is that, at the same time as the diagnosis, treatment procedures can also be carried out, for example, removing a foreign body, stopping bleeding, and removing neoplasms.
Intestinal endoscopy, preparation for which should be carried out several days before the manipulation, is considered quite long. The time of the colonoscopy is from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Also, this method is quite painful, so the doctor often uses anesthesia. The procedure begins with anesthesia; when it works, the specialist inserts the instrument into the anus, and then slowly advances it forward. In this case, the intestine is filled with air.
During the procedure, the patient first lies on his side with his legs taut to the torso. After some time, he is turned on his back.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor takes a biopsy.
Capsule endoscopy
How to examine the intestines in this case, and what are the advantages, disadvantages of this method?
The patient swallows a disposable video capsule, which passes through the esophagus, stomach, large and small intestines and automatically takes pictures. During this examination, a person can do anything: watch TV, read a book, communicate with relatives.
The duration of capsular endoscopy is from 8 to 9 hours, while the patient can be in any position. During the diagnosis, the doctor carefully monitors the progress of the capsule. He can at any time see where it goes, turn it off for a while to save charge. A capsule comes out naturally, after which the video information from it is recorded on a computer. Then, with the help of the programs, doctors look at the images, evaluate the images and make a diagnosis.
Advantages and disadvantages of capsular intestinal endoscopy
Pros:
- Painless procedure.
- Comfort. During the manipulation, a person does not experience absolutely any discomfort. He can move freely, do any business.
- Security. The video capsule does not have any negative effects on the body. The risk of damage to internal organs is completely eliminated. The capsule itself is disposable, sterile, so there is no need to worry about infection of the body.
- High performance. This method of examination allows you to 100% identify any deviations, bowel disease.
Cons: he is one, and this is the high cost of the procedure. So, depending on the venue, the patient will have to pay from 25 to 60 thousand rubles.
Intestinal endoscopy
Depending on the type of manipulation performed, prices will vary:
- Colonoscopy - from 6 to 8 thousand rubles.
- Rectoscopy - from 8 to 10 thousand rubles.
- Capsule endoscopy, the price of which was the highest, will cost the patient an average of 30 thousand rubles.
These are all conditional prices, for more specific figures, the patient must contact directly the medical institution where the manipulation will take place.
Conclusion
A reliable method for the study of diseases of the digestive system is intestinal endoscopy. What it is, and what types this procedure is divided into, have been found out. We realized that before going to endoscopy, you need to carefully prepare for it: eliminate prohibited foods, cleanse the intestines. You also need to be mentally tuned to conduct this study: stop being nervous, worry. After all, you are not the first, and not the last, who goes through endoscopy. And the price of this examination should not be scary, because health is more valuable than any money.