What is Endoscopy ? 

Endoscope is an instrument to look into the food pipe, stomach and intestines to identify diseases and take small pieces of internal tissues to identify pathology. There are Diffrent types of Endoscopies, Upper Endoscopy is done to visulaise food pipe, stomach and the proximal small intestine. Lower Endoscopy( Colonoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy) is done to identify diseases in large intestine and distal small intestine. Capsule Endoscopy and Ballon Enteroscopy helps diagnose disaeses of small intestine. Then there is side viewing endoscope to address biliary and pancreatic problems. Endoscopes were intially used for only diagnosis , recently  therapeutic procedures like endoscopic surgeries are being done more often with no scars  and as day care procedures. Indeed endoscopy is a one of the wonders of medical science.

What are the causes of  excessive Bowel Gas or flatulence ?

Bowel Gas depends upon the amount of swalloed air, the gas  produced from fermentation of food products in the bowel by bacteria . Part of gas is excetred by absorbtion into blood stream and through breath by lungs and part is expelled by rectum as flatulence. 3-5 farts in a day are normal. However depending on the type of food and the fauna of bacteria in the peson gas production is varied. Evaluation of Bowel Gas can be done by a simple Hydrogen Breath Test. Use of Antibiotics decreses bowel gas production temporarily , however identification of the cause like food intoleance or excessive bacterial growth can lead to appropriate treatment.

What are the causes of Jaundice ? 

Jaundice is not a disease it is a symptom. Common causes of jaundice are viral infections like hepatitis A , E , Dengue virus and at times complicated Malaria. Excesssive Alcohol indulgence and some Drugs are important causes of jaundice. Chronic Hepatitis due to viruses like hepatitis B and C, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Wilsons Disaese can also cause Jaundice. There are causes of jaundice where liver is not affected at all , like Hemolytic anemia ( Sickele cell Disease, Thalasemmia), Gilbert syndrome where the problem is essentially in the excessive lysis of Red Blood Cells or  liver uptake problems. Jaundice can also be caused when the bile flow is obstructed by Bile duct stones or cancers of the biliary tract. Patients with jaundice have to be evaluated by blood tests and Ultrasound Scan of liver to exactly diagnose and accordingly get treatment. 

What is ulcer disease ? 

Ulcers are breaks in the internal lining of stomach and upper small intestines. Common causes are excessive acid production , a bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori and Medications like pain killers. The common sympyoms are stomach pain , at times bleeding and vomiting. Diagnoses is  with Endosopy. Treatment includes acid suppersives and antibiotics if there is infection. Prevention is by avoiding painkillers and hurry, worry and too much curry.

What is GERD ? 

GERD is a common Upper GI Problem , popularly described as heart burn or upper abdominal discomfort. It aries due to a weak Valve between food pipe and stomach. Common in people with  irreular food habits, obesity, smoking. Diagnosed clinically and at times Endoscopy and ph studies. Treated with lifestyle chanes and acid suppressive pills.