Casey, Paul

Definitions

The colon (or large bowel/large intestine) starts at the end of the small intestine and ends at the rectum and anus. In a colonoscopy a long flexible tube (a colonoscope) is threaded up through therectum and transmits an image to a viewing screen. The lining of the colon and rectum can be inspected for such things as inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, and ulcers. Colonoscopy is most often used to look for early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum, and for causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits. If an abnormal growth, such as a polyp (a stalk-shaped growth or lump), is found, a small piece may be taken for examination (biopsy) or it may be removed. Thorough cleansing of the bowel is necessary before a colonoscopy. You will be given pain medication and a moderate sedative to keep you comfortable during the examination.moreEndoscopy involves examining the inside of the body with an endoscope, a lighted, flexible instrument that has a small camera on the tip. There are many types of endoscopes, and endoscopy, namedaccording to the organs or areas they are used to examine (e.g. arthroscopy examines joints; bronchoscopy examines the lungs; cystoscopy examines the bladder and urethra; laparoscopy may examine the ovaries, appendix or other abdominal organs; colonoscopy examines the bowel). An endoscope is passed through a natural body opening (e.g. mouth) or a small incision. Small instruments can be inserted through an endoscope and used to take samples of tissues for analysis (biopsy), to remove material (e.g. removing polyps during a colonoscopy), or to carry out a surgical procedure.moreGastroenterology is the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the digestive system. These may affect the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine (colon), rectum,liver, gallbladder and pancreas.moreGastrointestinal endoscopy is a procedure that enables viewing of the lining of the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract. The examination is performed using an endoscope, a flexible fibreoptic tubewith a camera at the tip that transmits images to an eyepiece or display screen. The endoscope is commonly inserted through the mouth and down the oesophagus. The procedure facilitates diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) disease as well as treatment. GI endoscopy may be performed on either an outpatient or inpatient basis; the patient is usually given a sedative. Other GI endoscopy includes colonoscopy (examination of the colon or large bowel / large intestine), which starts at the end of the small intestine and ends at the rectum and anus. Enteroscopy allows examination of the small intestine.moreGastroscopy is an examination of the inside of the oesophagus (throat), stomach and duodenum (the first section of small intestine). It is performed by using a thin, flexible fibre-optic instrument(gastroscope) that is passed through the mouth to check for any damage to the lining of the oesophagus or stomach, and for any ulcers in the stomach or duodenum. The procedure is painless and is usually done under a sedative.more