What is Endoscopy?
Endoscopy is a medical technique used for examination of the interior parts of the human body. This technique makes use of an instrument called the endoscope. The instrument comprises a camera and a light source attached to its tubular end which enables the physician to take pictures of the organs which needs to be examined. The pictures thus taken can be viewed on a monitor screen. Endoscope functions on the principle of fiber optics. The instrument is directly inserted into the patient’s body.

Endoscopy is recommended in a situation when other techniques such as X-ray or a scan cannot give an exact result. Endoscopy also helps to measure the extent of problems caused by an illness. Endoscopy is of different types such as arthroscopy, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, cystoscopy, laparoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.A combination of ultrasound examination and upper endoscopy is known as endoscopic ultrasound. Endoscopes may be of different lengths as they have to serve different purposes.

Endoscopy is recommended in conditions of breathing disorders, urinary tract infections, gastritis, digestive tract bleeding, Irritable bowel syndrome and polyps. Endoscopes can also detect the presence of cancerous cells. Endoscopes can carry out biopsies. Endoscopes can even remove gall stones. An endoscopy normally takes about 15 to 60 minutes. Most of the endoscopies are taken after giving a sedative to the patient. After the process the patient is kept under observation for a specific period of time.

Endoscopy is not a surgical method but modified endoscopes can help in carrying out some surgeries. Endoscopy is generally a risk free method however there are chances of mild complications. It can result in bleeding, allergy to the anesthetic used and perforation of the organ.

Endoscopy can also be used for non medical purposes such as pre visualization of a building model by architects. This is referred to as architectural endoscopy. Capsule endoscopy is a recent advancement in endoscopy.