Endoscopic Procedures

Endoscopic procedures : 

• Upper GI endoscopy is useful for detecting ulcers, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), or stomach cancer. 

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  Colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy is useful for diagnosing Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or colon cancer ( Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis are also known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)). 

Surgery

Sometimes all the investigations are inconclusive and diagnosis requires examination of the abdominal cavity either by laparoscopy or surgery. 

In spite of all the above investigations, the diagnoses of the cause of abdominal pain can be difficult. This is because of the following reasons : 

• Symptoms may be confusing : For example, the pain of appendicitis sometimes is located in the right upper abdomen, and the pain of diverticulitis on the right side. 
  Symptoms of the disease can be misleading : IBS symptoms can mimic bowel obstruction, cancer, ulcer, gall bladder attacks or even appendicitis. Kidney stones can mimic appendicitis or diverticulitis. 

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• Tests may be misleading : Ultrasound examinations can miss small gallstones. CT scans may fail to show small pancreatic or liver cancers. The X-ray of abdomen can miss the signs of intestinal obstruction or stomach perforation. Ultrasounds and CT scans may fail to demonstrate appendicitis or even abscesses, particularly if the abscesses are small. 

Nausea and Vomiting. 

There is a special area in the brain called the vomiting centre which controls vomiting. The vomiting centre gets its information from : (i) stomach and intestines (infection, injury , or irritation by food); (ii) inner ear(dizziness, motion sickness); (iii) brain ( head injury, brain infections or tumours, migraine). When the vomiting centre gets information about such problems from these organs, it sends impulses to the stomach muscles, diaphragm and other organs so that vomiting occurs. 

In majority of the cases vomiting is usually harmless and stops by itself. Occasionally, it can be serious, especially if it is a sign of a serious illness like intestinal obstruction ( blockage of the intestines), appendicitis, brain tumours and so on. 
If a person develops vomiting, the following precautions should be observed, regardless of the cause : 

• Only clear liquids should be consumed. 

• No solid food should be taken until the vomiting episode has passed. 

• The patient should rest, as movement worsens nausea and vomiting. 

• Stop all medicines temporarily and verify from the doctor if the medicine is causing the vomiting. 

A doctor should be consulted immediately if : 

• Vomiting and fever over 101o F both are present.

• Vomiting and diarrhoea both are present. 

• Vomiting is persistent. 

• There are signs of dehydration, such as, dry lips and mouth and /or rapid pulse.

• Dehydration is the most serious complication of persistent vomiting. 
  There is blood in the vomit. 

• Severe headache (especially if activated by light) or stiff neck is associated with vomiting.

• Lethargy, confusion, or decreased alertness is associated with vomiting. 

• Severe abdominal pain is associated with vomiting. 

Stomach Bloating or Abdominal Distension.
Abdominal pain
Endoscopic procedures
Constipation
Diagnosis and Treatment of Constipation
Medications and Complications
Indigestion