What is an Endoscopy?

Have you recently been told by your doctor you need an Endoscopy? Have you been scheduled for one and still curious about the procedure? Questions are expected. Here at Digestive Health Specialists many of our patients call back after scheduling an EGD with questions that they may have forgotten to ask in the office. We accept those questions with open arms because we want to make sure our patients are 100% comfortable with everything prior to the day of their procedure. When questions arise the best one to take those questions to is none other than a gastroenterologist! Digestive Health’s very own Dr. Christopher Jue took some time to sit down and answer a few questions for us so we could share them with you!

Dr. Jue practices at our Winston-Salem, Thomasville and Kernersville offices. He has privileges at Forsyth Medical Center, Kernersville Medical Center and Thomasville Medical Center.
Dr. Jue practices at our Winston-Salem, Thomasville and Kernersville offices. He has privileges at Forsyth Medical Center, Kernersville Medical Center and Thomasville Medical Center.
Dr. Jue, how do you perform an Endoscopy? What happens in the procedure room?

“First of all an Endoscopy is performed to evaluate the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (small intestine). After the patient goes to sleep, the endoscope is passed through the mouth into the esophagus. The examination is then performed which usually takes 5-10 minutes. During that time pictures are taken. Pictures you will be given at discharge following the procedure. Also, biopsies can be obtained and dilation of strictures can be performed.”

Why would you order an Endoscopy for a patient? What are the warning signs or diagnoses that would flag a patient for needing an Endoscopy scheduled?

“Reasons for an endoscopy include trouble swallowing, reflux, pain with swallowing, a sensation of something stuck in the throat, food impactions, screening for Barrett’s esophagus (a pre-cancerous change in the lining of the esophagus), screening for varices in patients with liver disease, anemia, abdominal pain, bleeding, nausea and vomiting, chest pain.”

Any type of procedure can be scary and make us anxious. If you have an upcoming Endoscopy or Colonoscopy and have more questions for your doctor, please don’t hesitate to call us at 336.768.6211!