A lot of people are pretty confused about exactly what an endoscopy entails. It sounds like colonoscopy, but what does that mean? It all falls under the gastroenterology umbrella, but there are still so many details about digestive issues and procedures to learn. Here’s the inside scoop on what our Endoscopy Center offers and why it’s such an important new practice for the Southern Maryland community.

What is an Endoscopy? 

An endoscopy is a procedure that examines your digestive tract. It is not a surgical operation, as it only involves tubes and no incisions. Colonoscopies are a specific type of endoscopy designed to evaluate the lower portion of your digestive tract. 

A gastroenterologist is an expert medical provider who specializes in the digestive system, including the esophagus, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine, and colon. They are able to prescribe and perform endoscopies, which are standard recommendations at certain ages, or might be needed if you are experiencing issues with your digestion. 

What Services are Available? 

While colonoscopies are the most widely known procedure, there are a variety of other treatments available at an Endoscopy Center. Should an endoscopy present any irregularities, our specialists are able to provide medical, surgical, and diagnostic services for all disorders and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including:

• Colon, pancreatic, and stomach cancers
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Barrett’s Esophagus
• Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

Our new Endoscopy Center is now open at the Medical Pavilion in La Plata, MD — just one of many ways the University of Maryland Medical System is working to make quality care convenient and accessible for everyone in Southern Maryland. Meet with our gastroenterological team today to learn more and set up a procedure.