What Is Double Balloon Endoscopy? Double balloon endoscopy (enteroscopy) is an endoscopic investigation of the entire small intestine, using a gastroscope or colonoscope and a tube with two balloons that help to drag the intestine over the endoscope (1). Investigation is done to: Make biopsies of suspicious mucosal >> Read More ...
What Is Capsule Endoscopy? In capsule endoscopy, you swallow a pill-shaped camera (PillCam) that then travels through your gut and makes pictures of your small intestine (1). Picture 1. A capsule camera to swallow in capsule endoscopy (source: Wikipedia) A capsule camera is 28 mm (about an inch) long and 11 mm wide. It >> Read More ...
Upper GI Endoscopy = Esophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy (EGD) Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure enabling your doctor to see inside your esophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), using a flexible viewing tube – gastroscope. Gastroscope has a light and camera on >> Read More ...
Plain X-Ray In severe acute abdominal pain, plain X-ray of the abdomen is usually the first investigation. X-ray can show: Kidney stones Gallstones (if they are large and calcified) Pancreatic calcifications (in pancreatic cyst or chronic pancreatitis) Air under the diaphragm (in stomach or bowel perforation) Air in the >> Read More ...
Intestinal Absorption Tests Chronic abdominal bloating and gas, diarrhea or unintentional weight loss (malabsorption syndrome) may result from reduced absorption of nutrients in the small intestine due to: Lactose intolerance. Fructose malabsorption. Food allergies and food intolerances (Tests) Food poisoning, parasites, >> Read More ...
Stool Test Stool tests are done to find a cause of unexplained chronic or heavy acute diarrhea, anemia or weight loss. Tests may reveal intestinal parasites, bacterial infection, celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, blood and various substances (fats, reducing substances) that speak for intestinal malabsorption. How to >> Read More ...
FOOD ALLERGY TESTS How to prepare for allergy testing? Antihistamine and antidepressant drugs should be stopped 3-5 days before testing, but only with doctor’s approval. Skin Prick Test A skin prick test can confirm allergies to certain foods. A drop of a dissolved food sample is placed on the forearm, and pricked >> Read More ...
Blood Tests in Gallbladder Disease When upper right abdominal pain suggests gallbladder disease or obstruction of the common bile duct, the following blood tests may be performed: Bilirubin and liver enzyme alkaline phosphatase (AP) are often elevated in cases of gallstones in the gallbladder and common bile duct (1) >> Read More ...
What is a Colonoscopy? Colonoscopy (Greek kolon = large intestine; skopein= to watch) is a diagnostic procedure during which a doctor – usually gastroenterologist – inspects the inner lining (mucosa) of your colon and rectum by a flexible viewing tube – colonoscope – that has a camera and >> Read More ...
Where Does S. aureus Live? S. aureus lives in: Healthy people (S.aureus carriers): in the mucosa of the nose, less commonly in the throat, vagina, intestines and lungs; on the skin: mainly in the armpits, under the breasts and in the groin Infected people: in skin lesions, the blood, stool, urine, respiratory mucosa, >> Read More ...
