All organs of the gastrointestinal tract are associated with each other and any pathological process in one of them will affect the condition of the gastrointestinal tract. So often requires investigation of all these organs - esophagus, stomach and intestines.

Endoscopy of the esophagus - esophagoscopy

Endoscopy Esophagoscopy esophagus is called and conducted by introducing esophagogastroscopy through the mouth. It is rarely alone, most often studied the entire upper gastrointestinal tract - esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Such a study called ezofagogoastoduodenoskopiey (EGD). Endoscopy may be performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Diagnostic endoscopy Endoscopy - not only diagnosis but also treatment procedure   esophagus performed in inflammatory diseases of the esophagus caused by burns, diseases of the stomach throwing its contents into the esophagus, a suspected tumor of the esophagus. With the help of endoscopy can be good to see all the walls of the esophagus and to identify the initial stages of a process that can not be seen, for example, X-ray examination. Endoscopy is used for controlling the spread of the pathological process in the esophagus, including during treatment. Diagnostic endoscopic examination of the esophagus is held by a flexible device - fibrogastroscopy.

Therapeutic endoscopy of the esophagus most often carried out using rigid endoscope due to the fact that a narrow esophagus requires endoscopic instruments. Planned medical esophagoscopy carried out to remove the polyps of the esophagus, sclerotherapy Sclerotherapy - the fight against varicose veins   (administration of drugs that cause zapustevanie esophageal varices, ie prevent possible bleeding, expansion of the lumen of the esophagus when it is narrowing, and so on.

Sometimes esophageal endoscopy is performed on an emergency basis, mostly required when swallowed foreign body or bleeding from the blood vessels of the esophagus.

Endoscopy of the stomach - gastrostomy

Gastroscopy also often held in conjunction with the study of other organs of the upper gastrointestinal tract. It is most often carried out a diagnostic study, which reveals in the stomach inflammation (chronic gastritis), erosive and ulcerative processes (stomach ulcer), polyps, benign and malignant tumors. The diagnostic gastroscopy is a means of monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment.

Therapeutic gastroscopy conducted to introduce directly into the region of ulcerative or inflammatory drugs, removal of polyps and small benign tumors as well as to expand the opening between the stomach and the duodenum.

In some cases, treatment of obesity is used a technique of installation of intragastric balloon for weight loss. In the stomach for a period of six months put a special bottle, which occupies a significant portion of its cavity. This creates the illusion of fullness even when a small amount of food intake.

Contraindications for gastroscopy can serve as a serious illness (eg, burns) esophagus, in which there is a risk of destruction of its walls. Total serious condition of the patient, if a gastroscopy is carried out for health reasons, is not a contraindication to its implementation.

Endoscopy of the duodenum - duodenoscopy

Endoscopy of the duodenum is usually performed with endoscopy of the esophagus and stomach to detect the process of ulcer in the duodenum, and congenital disorders of the digestive system, which hinder the process of absorption of food. Violation of the process of absorption of food is often associated with congenital deficiency of the synthesis of certain digestive enzymes. The food at the same time to digest properly and irritates the wall of the duodenum, causing it to poor circulation and metabolism. All of this can be clearly seen during duodenoscopy.

Endoscopy small and large intestines

Endoscopy of large intestine is performed using a colonoscope, which is inserted through the rectum. We study the entire colon, detected almost all diseases of the body in the initial stages. This is very important in identifying intestinal polyps, which are considered pre-cancerous diseases and are subject to immediate removal, as well as detection of early symptoms of bowel cancer Bowel cancer: there is hope . Widely used and therapeutic colonoscopy Preparing and conducting a colonoscopy: the risks and alternatives   - Local treatment of various diseases, the removal of polyps and benign tumors.

With the study of the small intestine, everything is much more complicated. Today, only the opportunity of such studies with a special capsule endoscopy. Unfortunately, the widespread dissemination of this technique has not yet been received, so the problem of the small intestine to identify tumors at early stages is still relevant.

Galina Romanenko

  The reason for duodenal ulcers usually an infection caused by a bacterium called H. pylori. For treatment of a disease course of therapy generally requires a period of four to eight weeks, and the administration of two week course of antibiotics and kislotoponizhayuschih drugs that kill H. pylori. Typically, this prevents a relapse.

Anti-inflammatory drugs used for the treatment of certain disorders, such as arthritis, can also cause duodenal ulcer. If you need to continue taking anti-inflammatory drugs, you may need long-term use of drugs kislotoponizhayuschih.

Intestines and digestion

During the meal, the food enters the stomach through the esophagus. From there the food is mixed with gastric juice and partially processed, it passes into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). In the duodenum and other parts of the small intestine the food is mixed with enzymes that are produced by the pancreas Diabetes and pancreas - the things you need to know   the inner shell and the cells of the intestinal walls. Enzymes break down food and various substances contained absorbed into the body.

The stomach produces acid to digest food better and kill bacteria. This acid has a corrosive effect, so some cells on the inner membrane of the stomach and duodenum produce a natural protective mucus that protects the stomach wall and duodenum. Normally, between the amount of acid that is produced in the stomach and mucous barrier balance is maintained. The ulcer begins to develop when the balance is disturbed. This can happen for various reasons.

Helicobacter pylori infection

The bacterium H. pylori is the cause of about 19 of the 20 cases of duodenal ulcer. If untreated, the infection remains in the body throughout life. However, many people do not cause any problems, and bacteria live harmlessly in the body. However, in some cases the bacteria cause inflammation of the inner shells of the stomach and duodenum. Gradually, this leads to destruction of the protective mucosa (sometimes also to increased production of gastric acid) and the formation of ulcers.

Anti-inflammatory drugs

There are many different anti-inflammatory drugs; Some of the most common - aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac Diclofenac - relieve inflammation and pain , and so on. Various anti-inflammatory drugs taken for arthritis, muscle pain, and other problems. These drugs are sometimes destroy the protective mucosal barrier of the duodenum and cause ulceration.

Other causes and factors

Much less a duodenal ulcer is caused by other factors, including such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, smoking, stress How to beat stress? Create an oasis   and alcohol abuse. More often, however, they are not the main causes and contributing factors of duodenal ulcer.

Symptoms

Pain in the upper abdomen just below the sternum - the most common symptom. As a rule, it is not a constant, appears and disappears from time to time. Exacerbation of symptoms often occurs before a meal, or when you are hungry. Sometimes the pain awakens the person at night.

Other possible symptoms include: bloating, vomiting and malaise.

Complications

The most common complications of duodenal ulcer are:

• Bleeding ulcers - can range from minor to life-threatening.
• Perforation of the wall of the duodenum. Partially processed foods, and the acid thus begin to flow into the abdominal cavity. Typically, this condition is characterized by severe pain; the patient requires emergency medical assistance.

Diagnostics

To identify duodenal ulcers most commonly used endoscopy Endoscopy - not only diagnosis but also treatment procedure   - With the help of an endoscope can be seen almost any inflammation and ulcers.

Analysis to identify the bacteria H. pylori is usually done when he diagnosed a duodenal ulcer. Carry out analysis of feces, exhaled air or blood; In some cases, biopsy.