What Diseases Can be Detected by an Endoscopy?

What diseases can be detected by an endoscopy? It’s a question that a lot of people have been asking. You are probably here because your doctor has asked that you undergo and endoscopy to determine the cause of your illness. The procedure can be frightening, but it’s really nothing to worry about. The good thing is that an upper endoscopy takes away the guesswork from the process of diagnosing your sickness. It’s not a painful procedure, though it can be very uncomfortable. But what can an endoscopy detect?

Conditions that can be detected by an upper endoscopy and biopsy

The following are some of the diseases that can be detected by an endoscopy;

1. Gastritis
2. H-pylori infection
3. Esophageal stricture
4. Peptic ulcers
5. GIRD
6. Barrett’s esophagus
7. Esophageal cancer
8. Stomach cancer
9. Blockages such as gastric bezoars
10. Celiac disease

Gastritis

Gastritis refers to inflation of the stomach lining. It’s one of the conditions that can be detected during an upper endoscopy. Gastritis is caused by a wide range of issues, including infection by the bacteria H-pylori and persistent use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. It’s also caused by alcohol abuse and stress.

Gastritis occurs when the stomach lining gets eroded, making it susceptible to damage by stomach acids. An upper endoscopy will highlight signs of this inflammation within your stomach. These will include abnormally reddened areas where veins are prominent on the stomach wall.

Treatment includes taking medication to kill the Hpylori bacteria, removal of foods that trigger the excessive production of stomach acids from your diet and the use of medication that blocks the production of stomach acids.

Is it safe to eat watermelon when you have gastritis?

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori)

H Pylori is another of the diseases that can be detected by an upper endoscopy. The H-pylori virus in present in an estimated 50% of the global population. However, in a few it causes problems such as peptic ulcers and gastritis.

Secretions from the H pylori bacteria can erode the stomach lining, making it susceptible to damage from stomach acids. H-pylori is now thought to be the main cause behind stomach ulcers and gastritis.

The bacteria is detected through a gastric biopsy. This takes place as part of the endoscopy procedure. Your doctor takes a couple of samples from your stomach lining using a specialized tool.

These samples are then taken to the lab, where they are checked for presence of H-pylori. Usually, you get results after a couple of days.

Esophageal stricture

Esophageal stricture refers to the narrowing in a person’s esophagus. This usually happens when excess acid that is produced in your stomach travels into your esophagus, causing damage. If left untreated, it can lead to cancer in the esophagus.

Signs that you may have this disease include problems swallowing food. Should this happen, you will need to urgently see your doctor. You will then be asked to undergo an endoscopy to determine the cause of the issue.

Peptic ulcers

Peptic ulcers are another diseases that can be detected using an endoscopy. They are sometimes referred to as stomach ulcers, gastric ulcers or just ulcers. Peptic ulcers are sores that occur in the upper stomach.

They are caused by the same issues that cause gastritis, including stress, an h-pylori infection, alcohol abuse, abuse of NSAIDs and a poor diet. Of these causes, the Helicobacter pylori is now thought to be the major cause of peptic ulcers.

Stomach ulcers can be very painful. If they are present in your stomach, they will be clearly visible during the endoscopy. Treatment is a long process that combines eating the right food and eliminating the causes.

If H-pylori is detected in your stomach, you will be put on a 7 or 14 antibiotic treatment course. You will be given medication that suppresses the production of stomach acids.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disease that occurs when acid from your stomach repeatedly travels into your esophagus. The result is what many refer to as heartburn.

GERD leads can cause a number of problems, including esophageal stricture and esophageal cancer. Many people suffer from heartburn every now and again. You should get treatment if GERD occurs regularly.

Barrett’s esophagus

Again, stomach acids are behind this condition. Barrett’s esophagus is another of the diseases that can be detected by an endoscopy. It leads to changes in the lower part of the esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus increases your chances of getting esophageal cancer. As such, it needs to be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer can also be detected during and endoscopy. If a tumor is noted in your esophagus, your doctor will take samples during the procedure. These will then be taken to a lab to determine whether they are benign or malignant.

We have already stated that esophageal cancer is sometimes caused by damage to the esophagus that is caused by the excessive production of stomach acids.

Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer can also be detected during an endoscopy. If there are any abnormal masses present in your stomach, a biopsy will be carried out. The samples that are collected will be taken to a lab, where they will be tested to determine their nature.

Blockages

An endoscopy can also detect blockages within your stomach. These blockages can be caused by a number of issues, including the rare condition called gastric bezoars that is caused by the eating of food with excessive amounts of fiber. These fibers can then form a hard lump, leading to blockages in the stomach. Other blockages can be caused by stomach tumors.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is caused by damage to the lining of the small intestines that is caused by gluten. It leads to the poor absorption of food. It’s another of the diseases that can be detected by an endoscopy. Samples will be taken from your stomach for analysis in a lab.

Summary

In this article, we focused on showing you the diseases that can be detected by an endoscopy. We noted that an endoscopy is usually carried out as part of the process of determining the cause of issues within your upper intestines. Diseases and conditions that can be detected during the procedure include stomach ulcers, gastritis, H-pylori and stomach cancer.