When Is an Endoscopy Recommended?

At Calabasas Advanced Gastroenterology, Dr. Parviz Gholami and our team offer services to treat gastrointestinal problems such as acid reflux, digestive issues, stomach pain and more. To learn more about our treatment options and find out if you may need an endoscopy in Calabasas, CA, schedule a consultation today.

When Should You Get an Endoscopy?

When Dr. Gholami performs an endoscopy in Calabasas, CA, he examines the walls and lining of your GI tract, which includes your stomach, the upper part of your small intestine and esophagus. Using this procedure, doctors can diagnose an array of gastrointestinal problems and create a personalized treatment plan based on what they find. Dr. Gholami may recommend the procedure if you are experiencing recurring symptoms, including:

• Chronic chest pain or heartburn
• Persistent or unexplained bowel changes
• Frequent abdominal pain
• Intestinal bleeding
• Family history of colon polyps or colon cancer

The symptoms described above may be signs of an ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation or biliary tract disease. In some cases, an endoscopy can remove any polyps or other objects that may be causing the symptoms. Additionally, the procedure can treat problems such as narrowed digestive tracts and digestive tract bleeding.

How Do Doctors Perform Endoscopies?

In most cases, the procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis (you go home not long after the procedure, usually the same day). Although an endoscopy can be uncomfortable, it is typically pain-free. Dr. Gholami will give you a form of anesthesia or intravenous sedative to minimize any pain or discomfort.

Normally, the procedure takes about 30 minutes, and the doctor will guide the scope down your mouth and into your esophagus and then into your stomach. The doctor will pump air through the scope during the procedure to make it easier to see surrounding organs.

While the scope is inserted, Dr. Gholami can view images to look for problems. Once the procedure is complete, you will spend a little time waiting for the sedative to wear off. You may experience a hoarse throat or cough for a couple of days after the treatment.

To find out if an endoscopy is needed for any recurring digestive problems or other gastrointestinal issues, contact our team and Dr. Gholami at Calabasas Advanced Gastroenterology in Calabasas, CA today by calling (818) 696-8840.