Find out why an endoscopy is performed and what problems it can detect.

Your New Lenox, Oak Lawn, and Joliet, IL, gastroenterologist also serving Frankfort, and Orland Park, IL, Dr. Kamran Ayub specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions that impact the digestive system. Whether you are dealing with irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcers, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), our team can easily diagnose your health problems with a simple endoscopy.

What is an endoscopy?

An endoscopy is a procedure that allows our team to be able to get a closer look into the digestive tract. Depending on the symptoms you are experiencing, there are different types of endoscopies that your New Lenox, Oak Lawn, and Joliet, IL, gastroenterologist also serving Frankfort, and Orland Park, IL, performs. The two most common types of endoscopies we perform here at our practice are an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy.

When is an endoscopy recommended?

While our gastroenterologist can get some clue as to what’s going on simply by asking you questions about your symptoms, we often need diagnostic tools such as an endoscopy to confirm a diagnosis. An endoscopy can be performed to detect both cancerous and precancerous growths and polyps within the digestive tract, along with diagnosing inflammation, bleeds, obstructions, and ulcers in the stomach and intestines. An upper endoscopy is inserted into the mouth and gently guided into the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines while a colonoscopy is inserted into the rectum and guided into the large intestines. Both procedures are performed while the patient is under sedation.

Do I need to undergo an endoscopy?

It’s important to recognize when you should turn to a gastroenterologist for a closer look into the symptoms you’re experiencing. While the occasional bout of GI issues usually won’t require a medical evaluation, you may benefit from an endoscopy if you are dealing with:

• Chronic or severe heartburn
• Chronic constipation
• Blood in the stool
• Persistent digestive issues or abdominal pain
• Unexpected and sudden weight loss
• Family history of colon cancer
• Personal history of colon polyps
• You are over 50 years old

If you are concerned about your digestive health, you don’t want to delay getting the treatment you need. Your New Lenox, Oak Lawn, and Joliet, IL, gastroenterologist, Dr. Ayub, also serving Frankfort, and Orland Park, IL, provides comprehensive care. To schedule a consultation, call us at (708) 475-5233.