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Patient Resources

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Ensuring the Safety of Your Endoscopic Procedure Because Endoscopic procedures allow the doctor to view real-time images of the walls of the gastrointestinal tract as the procedure is in progress, the technique offers patients significant benefits in diagnosis and treatment and, at the same time, is minimally invasive. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Colon Cancer Screening Test your knowledge about colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. If you think the answer is true or mostly true, answer true. If you think the answer is false or mostly false, answer false. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Colonoscopy Colonoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of your large intestine (colon) for abnormalities by inserting a thin flexible tube, as thick as your finger, into your anus and slowly advancing it into the rectum and colon. This instrument, called a colonoscope,has its own lens and light source and it allows your doctor to view images on a video monitor. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Flexible Sigmoidoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of the rectum and a portion of the colon (large intestine) by inserting a flexible tube about the thickness of your finger into the anus and slowly advancing it into the rectum and lower part of the colon. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Polyps and Their Treatment Flexible Sigmoidoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of the rectum and a portion of the colon (large intestine) by inserting a flexible tube about the thickness of your finger into the anus and slowly advancing it into the rectum and lower part of the colon. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Upper Endoscopy Upper endoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine). Your doctor will use a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope, which has its own lens and light source, and will view the images on a video monitor. You might hear your doctor or other medical staff refer to upper endoscopy as upper GI endoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or panendoscopy. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Capsule Endoscopy Capsule Endoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of the middle part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the three portions of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum). Your doctor will give you a pill sized video camera for you to swallow. This camera has its own light source and takes pictures of your small intestine as it passes through. These pictures are sent to a small recording device you have to wear on your body. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Esophageal Dilation Esophageal dilation is a procedure that allows your doctor to dilate, or stretch, a narrowed area of your esophagus [swallowing tube]. Doctors can use various techniques for this procedure. Your doctor might perform the procedure as part of a sedated endoscopy. Alternatively, your doctor might a apply a local anesthetic spray to the back of your throat and then pass a weighted dilator through your mouth and into your esophagus. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Esophageal Dilation Esophageal dilation is a procedure that allows your doctor to dilate, or stretch, a narrowed area of your esophagus [swallowing tube]. Doctors can use various techniques for this procedure. Your doctor might perform the procedure as part of a sedated endoscopy. Alternatively, your doctor might a apply a local anesthetic spray to the back of your throat and then pass a weighted dilator through your mouth and into your esophagus. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when contents in the stomach flow back into the esophagus. This happens when the valve between the stomach and the esophagus, known as the lower Esophageal sphincter, does not close properly. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) PEG stands for percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy, a procedure in which a flexible feeding tube is placed through the abdominal wall and into the stomach. PEG allows nutrition, fluids and/or medications to be put directly into the stomach, bypassing the mouth and esophagus. This brochure will give you a basic understanding of the procedure - how it's performed, how it can help, and what side effects you might experience. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Esophageal Testing or Manometry Esophageal testing or Manometry measures the pressures and the pattern of muscle contractions in your esophagus. Abnormalities in the contractions and strength of the muscle or in the sphincter at the lower end of the esophagus can result in pain, heartburn, and/or difficulty swallowing. Esophageal Manometry is used to diagnose the conditions that can cause these symptoms. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Diverticulosis Diverticulosis is a condition in which there are small pouches or pockets in the wall or lining of any portion of the digestive tract. These pockets occur when the inner layer of the digestive tract pushes through weak spots in the outer layer. A single pouch is called a diverticulum. The pouches associated with Diverticulosis are most often located in the lower part of the large intestine (the colon). Some people may have only several small pouches on the left side of the colon, while others may have involvement in most of the colon. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Minor Rectal Bleeding Minor rectal bleeding refers to the passage of a few drops of bright red (fresh) blood from the rectum, which may appear on the stool, on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Barrett's Esophagus Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the lining of the esophagus changes, becoming more like the lining of the small intestine rather than the esophagus. This occurs in the area where the esophagus is joined to the stomach. It is believed that the main reason that Barrett's esophagus develops is because of chronic inflammation resulting from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Understanding Bowel Preparation Your bowel must be clean so that your doctor can thoroughly examine your colon. Many patients feel that the bowel prep is the most difficult part of a colonoscopy. But it is important that you try your best to fully complete the prep. >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE <<

Related Links • American Gastroenterological Association
• American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
• American College of Gastroenterology
• Surgery Ctr. Health History Registration

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