Endoscopy North Carolina

People who must undergo an endoscopy in North Carolina should have some idea of what to expect and recognize the importance of finding a reliable gastrointestinal doctor to perform the procedure. Carolina Digestive Health Associates provides endoscopy procedures and a full range of digestive health services out of eight private clinics, five endoscopy clinics, and within every major hospital in the Charlotte area.

What Is an Endoscopy?

When a doctor suspects a problem with a patient's upper digestive system, the doctor may request an endoscopy. An endoscopy is a screening procedure that involves a long, thin, and flexible camera. There are many types of endoscopes used for various screening procedures.

• An upper endoscopy offers a look inside a patient’s upper digestive system including the throat, esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.
• A colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy can allow a doctor to check a patient’s large intestine internally.
• A cystoscopy or ureteroscopy allows inspection of a patient’s urinary system.
• Laparoscopy involves surgery to a patient’s abdomen and pelvic area without the need for large surface incisions.

In an upper endoscopy procedure, the doctor inserts a camera attached to a thin, flexible tube into a patient’s mouth and down into his or her esophagus, through the stomach, and into the upper portion of the small intestine. Some endoscopes can assist the doctor in performing internal surgical procedures in the upper digestive system, such as removing polyps and repairing damaged tissues.

Preparing for an Endoscopy

To ensure a safe procedure, the doctor performing an endoscopy will advise the patient to refrain from eating solid foods for several hours before the procedure. In some cases, the patient may need to use diuretics or laxatives to flush the digestive system. This ensures the patient does not vomit during surgery, which can lead to aspiration or choking. Patients may also need to temporarily stop taking any blood-thinning medications for several days before the procedure in case of any accidental bleeding or bleeding from polyp or biopsy sample removal.

An upper endoscopy generally requires anesthesia so a patient should arrange for a ride home with a friend or relative. The anesthesia can cause grogginess but ensures the patient does not experience pain during the procedure. The patient will usually remain in observation for half an hour to an hour following the procedure until the anesthesia's effect dissipates.

What Can an Endoscopy Detect?

An upper endoscopy is most commonly a diagnostic tool; doctors perform this screening to diagnose a patient’s condition or to confirm the cause of specific symptoms. Doctors may also request this procedure as a preventive measure against cancers of the throat, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Doctors generally look for esophageal scarring, signs of acid reflux disease, and structural abnormalities in the upper digestive system during these screenings.

Even if a doctor believes an endoscopy procedure is purely to diagnose a patient, the doctor may perform polyp removal if he or she detects any polyps during the endoscopy. The endoscope has surgical tools for polyp removal and tissue repair, and this generally poses little risk to the patient. Doctors may also use endoscopes to perform specific treatments, such as laser therapy or microwave ablation to destroy cancerous tissues, destroying tumors, or precisely administering medications internally.

When to Talk to a Doctor About an Endoscopy

Problems are possible with any endoscopy procedure, but they are rare. If you experience any type of digestive health issues, it is always best to seek a professional gastrointestinal doctor to positively identify your symptoms and rule out serious medical conditions as soon as possible. Common symptoms that should encourage you to see a doctor include acid reflux, abdominal pain, and irregular or inconsistent bowel activity.

Many digestive symptoms can lead to a doctor requesting an endoscopy. North Carolina residents who need to speak with a gastrointestinal doctor about any type of digestive issue can contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates at (704) 486-5194 during regular business hours and schedule an appointment with one of our gastrointestinal doctors.

Carolina Digestive Health Associates

Carolina Digestive Health Associates is a group of gastroenterologists serving the residents of North Carolina. We have fourteen highly rated GI doctors who provide service at eight offices and five endoscopy centers. Our doctors work in all major hospitals in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Our physicians, together with our highly trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners, cover a wide range of specialties and are skilled in diagnosis and treatment. Whether you have chronic problems with your digestive tract, a recent, acute attack or simply want a checkup, our team is here in North Carolina to help you reach your healthcare goals.

What We Do

Our team of gastroenterologists in North Carolina is trained to diagnose gastric conditions involving the esophagus, the stomach, the liver, the colon and the rectum. Once we make a diagnosis, we can form a treatment plan tailored to the specific patient and their needs. Some of the common conditions we treat include:

• Constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Colorectal cancer
• Diarrhea
• Esophageal cancer
• Fatty liver
• Gallstone
• Gastritis
• GERD
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose intolerance
• Obesity
• Ulcers

Our team has experience diagnosing and treating these conditions and many more. North Carolina residents in the Charlotte area have come to trust our expertise and our friendly customer service.

Procedures

Our specialists cover a wide variety of fields within gastroenterology and can perform an array of procedures once they have made a diagnosis. Some of the more common procedures are:

• Rectal manometry. This test determines if the rectum is functioning properly and helps to diagnose fecal incontinence and chronic constipation.
• Breath test. A GI doctor can diagnose certain digestive conditions by measuring the gases which a patient exhales.
• Colonoscopy. By means of a camera inserted into the body, doctors can view the intestine and look for polyps, ulcers, bleeding, inflammation and even cancer.
• Polypectomy. If doctors discover polyps during an endoscopy, they will use this procedure to remove them.
• Upper endoscopy. Similar to a colonoscopy, this procedure views the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum for inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths.
• Esophageal manometry. This test is to determine the strength of the muscles that you use to swallow, which can affect conditions like heartburn.
• Feeding tubes. A GI doctor can insert a feeding tube when necessary if a patient is not able to feed him or herself.
• ORBERA Gastric Balloon. The FDA has approved our non-surgical program to help patients lose weight and form healthy habits to maintain a stable, healthy weight in the long term.

Research

At Carolina Digestive Health Associates in North Carolina, we participate in many clinical research trials. Medicine is a field that constantly advances, and we encourage and participate in this process to discover new and better ways to diagnose and treat digestive disorders. Sometimes, these trials provide treatment options to our patients in North Carolina that they would not be able to get anywhere else.

When Should You Come to See Us?

Persistent or severe symptoms are reasons to schedule a consultation with us in North Carolina. We also recommend regular screenings starting at age 45 for colon cancer. You may need to see a general practitioner first to get a referral. Come see us if you experience any of the following:

• Constipation. Fewer than three bowel movements a week means constipation. If it persists, contact us.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem, but if it doesn't go away it could be a sign of something more serious.
• Heartburn. A burning your stomach and chest could be your stomach acid inflaming the lining of your esophagus.
• Stomach pain. Severe stomach pain could mean you have a gallstone. More persistent, burning pain could be an ulcer.
• Bloating. If you bloat after a meal, your body might be reacting to something you ate. A gastroenterologist can diagnose the cause.
• Hemorrhoids. If the veins in your rectum are swollen or feel irritated, you may have hemorrhoids, which a GI doctor can treat.
• Blood in your stool. If your stool is black and tarry, or if there is red in the water after a bowel movement, you may have a severe problem that requires immediate attention.

For any of the above symptoms or a cancer screening in North Carolina, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates for a consultation. Call us at (704) 486-5194 and let one of our highly skilled gastroenterologists assist you.