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An Endoscopy is a nonsurgical or minimally invasive procedure to observe inside a person’s body using an instrument called an endoscope. An endoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera attached to it. It allows your doctor to view pictures of the insides of your body on a television screen. Endoscopes can be inserted through a natural opening, such as the mouth down the throat or through the bottom. It can also be inserted through small incisions during keyhole surgery. There are three main reasons an endoscopy is carried out: investigation, confirmation of a diagnosis, and treatment.
This procedure can be used to investigate unusual symptoms and help perform certain types of surgery. It can also be used to remove a small tissue sample for further analysis, which is known as a biopsy. Additionally, the procedure can also be used to treat a digestive problem. For instance, it might not only detect active bleeding from an ulcer, but it can also have devices attached to it to stop the bleeding. Your doctor may suggest you undergo endoscopy if you experience persistent abdominal pain, persistent nausea and vomiting, vomiting blood, persistent diarrhea, blood in your stools, gallstones, blockage of the esophagus, unusual vaginal bleeding, chest pains that are not caused by heart conditions, and difficulty swallowing. Endoscopy is quick, relatively safe, and delivers a detailed image. Therefore, tens of millions of endoscopies are performed every year.
Before endoscopy, your doctor will do a physical examination and review your medical history. It is important to mention if you have any allergies and all current medications you are taking. You may need to stop taking certain medications, including anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. Your doctor will ask you to fast for around 12 hours. For some types of endoscopy, procedures to investigate the gut, you may need to take laxatives or enemas the night before to clear your system. The procedure is not painful, and some people only experience mild discomfort. Typically, the procedure is performed when the patient is unconscious. However, you may be given a local anesthetic to numb a certain area of your body. The anesthetic can be in the form of a spray or tablet to numb your throat. You also have the option to take a sedative to help you relax.
During the surgery, the endoscope will be inserted into your body. The exact place it is inserted depends on which part of your body is being examined. There are various types of endoscopy, and each type is designed to look at a certain part of your body. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), there are eight common types of endoscopy, including:
Depending on what it is being used for, the procedure usually takes between 15 to 60 minutes to complete. There is also a new type of endoscopy known as the wireless capsule endoscopy. Capsule endoscopy involves swallowing a capsule with a tiny camera inside. It will transmit images of the inside of your digestive tract and will not give you any discomfort and the pill will leave your body naturally when you go to the toilet.
An endoscopy is usually carried out as an outpatient procedure, which means you do not have to stay in the hospital overnight. You usually need to rest in the hospital for around an hour until the effects of the local anesthetic and sedative have worn off. However, you may need to stay in Bulgaria for around 3 to 7 days or until your doctor says it is okay for you to go home and do long-distance travel. The result usually will take several days, and you will need to discuss the results with your doctor.
The recovery period depends on the type of procedure you underwent. You may feel slightly uncomfortable, and you should allow 1-2 days of rest before you feel well enough to get back to your normal routine. For upper endoscopy, you may experience a sore throat. After a cystoscopy, you may have blood in your urine for 24 hours. If it lasts longer than 24 hours, you will need to contact your doctor immediately. You may also feel some soreness, bloating, and gas, as well as cramping, which usually resolves quickly.
After endoscopy, you need to take it easy at least for a couple of days. When you get to your hotel, it is advisable to relax and take a nap. You may eat if you do not feel sick. It is recommended to eat something light and avoid fried foods, fatty food, and a large quantity of food. The aftercare will vary depending on the type of endoscopy you underwent. Your doctor will usually suggest you eat soft food and consume warm liquids or throat medicines after upper endoscopy. You may need to rest and avoid strenuous activities for several days. You should avoid blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin and arthritis medication. Your doctor will tell you the number of days you need to avoid those medicines. If necessary, your doctor may prescribe pain medications, including Tylenol. If you have any swelling at the IV site, you can relieve the swelling with warm soaks. However, if the swelling persists, notify your doctor.
Endoscopy has a high success rate as it is almost always successful and helps doctors investigate, confirm a diagnosis, and treat many patients. It is known to be a very safe procedure. However, you should be aware that it also comes with possible risks and complications. Rare complications that may happen include infection, bleeding, tearing of the gastrointestinal tract, and reaction to sedation. You need to call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:
There are several alternatives to an endoscopy. For diagnostic procedures, you can opt for X-rays. For treatment procedures, your doctor may suggest you have open surgery. Open surgery will use a larger incision and increase your risk of complications and it also will need a longer hospital stay and a longer recovery period.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Bulgaria has plenty to offer and tourists are going to be very impressed with the country’s mountainous landscapes, beautiful Black Sea beaches, fascinating history, friendly locals, lively nightlife, and affordability. Although the country’s holiday tourism is very much on the radar, it is also actually quite popular with medical tourists, due to its modern medical centers, highly trained medical professionals, state-of-the-art equipment, affordable healthcare, and mineral baths, thousands of medical tourists visit this country each year. Most of the medical tourists come for dental treatment, orthopedic surgery, elective surgery, neurosurgery, as well as health screening.
Bulgaria’s laid-back capital city, Sofia, is truly a must-visit. It is full of museums, Ottoman mosques, communist architecture, chic galleries, Eastern Orthodox churches, amazing restaurants, and upbeat clubs. One of the most popular landmarks in the country is the Aleksander Nevski Cathedral, which is an awe-inspiring church built between 1882 and 1912 to honor 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for the independence of Bulgaria during the Russo-Turkish war. If you want to relax on beautiful beaches visit Varna, which is a major tourist destination during the summer. The second-largest, city in Bulgaria is Plovdiv and it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. Tourists are attracted by the Roman Amphitheatre, Archeological Museum, and Tsar Simeon Central Garden.
Most international tourists will arrive at Sofia Airport, which serves flights to most numerous major cities in Europe and the Middle East. There are several budget airlines that operate flights from this airport, including Ryanair and Wizz Air. Domestic flights are available, but they tend to be expensive. Therefore, to travel from one city to another, trains and buses are the best option. Buses and trains are punctual and affordable. However, if you are in a hurry, you should avoid trains as they can be a little slow. To travel around big cities, taxis are widely available and are really cheap. Just make sure you choose a licensed taxi to avoid being overcharged.
While Bulgaria is not yet a part of the Schengen Area, it has a visa policy that is based on the Schengen system. Therefore, holders of Schengen Visa are allowed to enter the country. Additionally, citizens of 62 countries, including the US, Australia, and the UAE, can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa.
From June to August, Bulgaria experiences summer. The weather can get a bit hot and humid, with an average temperature of 19°C to 21°C. July is the wettest month in the country. Winter, from December to February, is usually freezing. Autumn and Spring bring pleasant weather.