Find out about...

• Lower GI Endoscopy
• Upper GI Endoscopy
• How Endoscopy Works
• Keys to Colon Health
• High Fiber Bran Muffins

Upper GI endoscopy is a special examination of your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract for problems like ulcers, foreign objects, or tumors. During endoscopy a long flexible tube, or endoscope, is passed through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine for direct viewing. Based on fiberoptics, (the ability of flexible glass fibers to transmit light), endoscopy is performed by an endoscopist, a physician who is specially trained in the procedure such as Dr. Huntwork. 

Upper GI endoscopy allows the physician to look directly at the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and duodenal portion of the small intestine. Upper GI endoscopy can diagnose ulcers, gastritis, tumors, and causes of bleeding or pain. It is also used for taking biopsy specimens, removing foreign objects (for example, coins in children) or polyps, stopping bleeding, and opening strictures (narrow areas).

• You will wear comfortable clothes or a gown.
• In the endoscopy room you will be asked to lie on a table on your left side. The physician, a nurse, and a technician will be with you.
• Your throat may be anesthetized with spray or gargle. Intravenous sedation will be given.
• You will then be asked to swallow the endoscope, which is thinner than most food you swallow. This is surprisingly easy.
• The endoscope does not interfere with your breathing.
• The lights are lowered and the physician begins the examination. Air inserted during the procedure may cause you to burp.
• When the procedure is completed, you will rest until the sedation wears off. Your pulse and blood pressure may be monitored during and after endoscopy.

Lower GI (gastrointestinal) endoscopy is the examination of the entire colon (colonoscopy) or rectum and sigmoid colon (flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy). In both procedures, a flexible tube composed of thin fibers of glass and attached to a powerful light source is passed into the lower GI tract for direct observation. The endoscopist, a specially trained physician like Dr. Huntwork, uses lower GI endoscopy to obtain specimens, remove polyps, and diagnose bleeding, inflammation, or tumors.

For total colonoscopy, a long fiberoptic tube is inserted through the anus and rectum and moved through the entire colon. Each part of the colon is observed and examined. For flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy, a shorter tube is inserted, reaching through the rectum and into the sigmoid colon.

Lower Gl endoscopy is used to diagnose cancer, polyps, inflammation (for example, colitis), causes of bleeding, and abnormal or questionable x-rays. It is also used to remove polyps (a polypectomy).

• You will be asked to wear a gown, and to lie on the table on your left side with your knees pulled up. The physician and nurse or technician will be with you.
• Colonoscopy usually requires intravenous sedation.
• Sedation or pain medication is usually not required for sigmoidoscopy.
• The endoscope is inserted by the physician. You may feel some cramping and pressure.
• As the endoscope is inserted further, you may feel increasing discomfort. Tell the physician or nurse. Sedation or pain medication can be given to control discomfort.
• After the examination is completed, you will rest until sedation wears off. You may go to the toilet with assistance.

How Endoscopy Works

The endoscope is composed of extremely thin threads of bendable glass, which transmit light and images back to the viewer. The physician can therefore see the structures of the Gl tract directly by looking through the endoscope, and make a diagnosis. By inserting special instruments, the physician can also take specimens or remove foreign objects or polyps.

After you’ve been treated for diverticulosis or diverticulitis, help keep your colon healthier with a diet that includes plenty of high-fiber fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—and lots of liquids like water and iuice. Your doctor may also recommend avoiding seeds and nuts to avoid bleeding infection or rupture of diverticuli.

You need 35 grams of fiber each day to keep your colon working at its best. It’s easier than you may think to add fiber to your diet. Choose food like whole-wheat bread. It has twice the fiber of white bread. Brown rice has four times the fiber of white rice. You can get even more fiber by adding pure (unprocessed) bran to your food or drinks—top your cereal with it, add it to your muffin recipe, or stir it into your juice. Your doctor may also recommend a fiber supplement. Below is listed some examples of fiber-rich foods. Enjoy them in good health!

Liquids help your body digest and move food through your system. Most people should drink at least eight glasses of liquid each day (but cut down on coffee and sodas, since they may cause spasms and pressure in your colon). Talk with your doctor and start habits like the following:

• At work, bring a bottle or a jug of water with you. Pour yourself a cup every hour or so.

• With your meals and between meals, drink plenty of liquids.

• When you exercise, take water with you to replenish the liquid your body loses.

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High Fiber Bran Muffins

2 ¼ C. oat bran cereal

¼ C. brown sugar

1 ¼ tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

¼ C. walnuts

Mix dry ingredients

¼ C. raisins

½ Cl skim milk

3/4 C. frozen apple juice, concentrate

2 egg whites

2 tb vegetable oil

1 med apple, cored and chopped

Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients and then add to dry. Add chopped Apple.

Fill paper lined muffin tin and bake 425 degrees 17 minutes

To make muffins even better, mix Krusteaz' apple cinnamon fat free muffin mix according to directions. Then combine Krusteaz mix with our bran muffin mix and bake at 410 degrees F. for 14 minutes.

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1 medium apple = 4 grams

1 medium pear = 4 grams

1 medium orange = 3 grams

1 c. strawberries = 3 grams

5 dried prunes (uncooked) = 3 grams

1 baked potato (w/skin) = 5 grams

1/2 c. cooked frozen peas = 4 grams

1/2 c. cooked fresh spinach = 2 grams

1/2 c. cooked frozen corn = 2 grams

1/2 c. cooked green beans = 2 grams

1/3 c. all-bran cereal = 10 grams

1/3 c. wheat flakes = 3 grams

1/3 c. shredded wheat = 3 grams

2 slices whole-wheat bread = 4 grams

2 slices rye bread = 4 grams

1/2 c. cooked brown rice = 2 grams

3 T. unprocessed wheat bran = 6 grams

3 T. unprocessed oat bran = 3 grams

1/2 c. cooked lentils = 8 grams

1/2 c. cooked kidney beans = 6 grams

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Copyright © 2004 Deanna Huntwork, DO
Last modified: December 10, 2004