How does an endoscopy differ from a colonoscopy?

Hello,

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I read your query and can understand your concern.

1. Endoscopy or gastroscopy is an examination of the stomach (including the food pipe, stomach, and first part of the small intestine known as duodenum); this procedure is performed for upper abdominal pain, nausea, recurrent vomiting, difficulty in swallowing or bleeding in vomiting, etc. This is a simple procedure that needs six to eight hours of fasting before the procedure. It can be done in simple sedation, and the patient can be discharged the same day, or it can be done in the endoscopy unit as an outpatient even (no hospital admission).

2. A colonoscopy is for the examination of the large intestine, and it is performed via an anal canal (not through the mouth); this procedure needs preparation which includes a clear liquid diet for around 24 hours, no solid food, laxatives to induce diarrhea, so that large intestine should be clean while performing colonoscopy, sedation would be same and can be done both as an inpatient and outpatient.

Both of these procedures are relatively safe, but a minor risk related to sedation or procedure, which is almost static around the globe.

I hope this information will help you.

Thank you.