Endoscopy
Special Procedures Include the Latest In Endoscopy and Pain Relief
The Special Procedures area at OSF Saint Clare Medical Center includes the endoscopy suite and the Pain Management . Both provide state-of-the-art care.
What is Endoscopy?
Our advanced equipment means your doctor can take a look inside various parts of the body in far less invasive ways than the old-fashioned options available in the past. The equipment used provides immediate pictures of the colon, stomach or other area being examined by the endoscopist and referring physician.
What Kinds of Services Are Offered?
An Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a method of examining the liver, bile ducts and pancreas via endoscope. Colonoscopy allows an examination of the colon for the screening of colon cancer and removal of polyps if needed.
Capsule Endoscopy involves swallowing a pill-sized capsule that contains a tiny camera that takes pictures of the small intestine. GI Endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy, also known as EGD), feeding tube placement and replacement and esophageal manometry are performed. Bronchoscopy is also offered.
Are You Ignoring Chronic Heartburn Symptoms?
Treatments are available to ease your pain and help to prevent further damage. The Bravo system is a pH test to help your doctor determine the cause of heartburn, chest pain, asthma, or chronic cough and test if you have acid reflux. A pH test measures the degree of acidity or alkalinity in your esophagus.
It is important to capture the situations causing a reflux reaction. The pH capsule (BRAVO pH probe) is temporarily clipped to the esophagus lining and the capsule captures information and is sent to a small device worn on a belt lasting 24 to 48 hours. The capsule falls off after one to two weeks, without harm.
Before and after the test it is important to follow your doctor’s directions on medications including over the counter and herbal medications. After the testing period a report will be generated on how best course for treatment. The BRAVO test allows patients to maintain their regular activities, with a convenient way to evaluate heartburn symptoms.
Are You Having Difficulty or Pain When Swallowing?
An Esophageal Manometry will tell your doctor if your esophagus is able to move food to your stomach normally. If the valve does not work properly, food and stomach acids have the ability to enter the esophagus and cause a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Manometry measures muscle contractions, strength and proper function to determine whether your symptoms are caused by a serious health disorder. Symptoms of esophageal distress range from relatively benign or temporary conditions to debilitating conditions that affect breathing and eating.
Mental and psychosomatic problems can also cause similar symptoms, so your doctor orders manometry to determine whether more exhaustive tests are necessary. Further testing might include a CT scan, biopsy, endoscopy or barium-swallow X-ray.
The manometry test will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Patients will be able to resume daily routine and medications as directed by your doctor. Test results will be reviewed at your next available doctor appointment.
What Other Features Are Offered in the Endoscopy Suite?
A relaxed recovery area in the Endoscopy Suite utilizing the latest technology allows for post-procedure recovery. As soon as recovery is complete, you are placed in a room with family support until ready for discharge.
What Services Are Available Through Pain Management?
Our exceptionally-skilled team of professionals in OSF Saint Clare Pain Management are committed to evaluating and treating people with acute and chronic pain. If you are suffering from low back pain, thoracic pain, headaches, neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, cervical (neck) pain, pancreatic pain, pain from cancer or arthritis, our goal is to assist you in getting relief.
What procedures are available?
Some of the ways our pain specialists might treat your pain include:
- Epidural pain injections
- Facet injections
- Nerve ablation
- Nerve blocks