A GI lab is a specialized medical facility for diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the digestive system. It provides advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to maintain gut health. This dedicated space helps medical professionals investigate and address gastrointestinal issues.
Understanding a GI Lab
A Gastrointestinal Laboratory, or GI lab, is a dedicated unit within a hospital or clinic. These facilities are equipped with advanced tools and technologies to perform digestive system procedures.
A team of specialized medical professionals works within a GI lab. Gastroenterologists, physicians specializing in digestive health, lead procedures. They are supported by registered nurses with specialized GI care training, who assist with patient preparation, monitoring, and recovery. Endoscopy technicians manage equipment and assist the gastroenterologist during procedures. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive patient care.
Common Procedures Performed
GI labs perform a range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. An upper endoscopy, also known as EGD, uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) guided through the mouth. It visualizes the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). This procedure helps identify issues like inflammation, ulcers, tumors, or sources of bleeding, and allows for tissue biopsies or the removal of growths.
A colonoscopy involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera into the rectum to examine the entire large intestine (colon). This procedure is important for screening for colorectal cancer, identifying polyps that can be removed during the examination, and investigating symptoms like changes in bowel habits or rectal bleeding. A sigmoidoscopy is a similar but more limited procedure that examines only the lower part of the colon.
Specialized procedures include Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), combining endoscopy and X-rays to diagnose and treat bile and pancreatic duct issues. A thin tube passes through the endoscope into these ducts, injecting dye for X-ray visibility, allowing gallstone removal or stent placement. Capsule endoscopy offers a non-invasive way to visualize the small intestine, a section not easily reached by traditional endoscopes. Patients swallow a vitamin-sized camera capsule that takes thousands of pictures, transmitted to a wearable recorder.
Motility studies assess digestive system muscle function. These tests, such as esophageal manometry or pH monitoring, help evaluate conditions where the normal movement of food and liquids is impaired. Such studies can measure pressure and contractions within the esophagus or monitor acid exposure to understand symptoms like difficulty swallowing or acid reflux.
When a GI Lab is Needed
Patients are referred to a GI lab for persistent or concerning digestive symptoms. Common reasons include chronic abdominal pain, bloating, or discomfort unresponsive to general treatment.
Changes in bowel habits, such as chronic diarrhea or constipation, or blood in stool (bright red or black and tarry), warrant GI lab investigation to identify underlying conditions.
Other symptoms leading to referral include chronic heartburn or acid reflux (GERD) unresponsive to medication, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), or unexplained nausea and vomiting.
Unexplained weight loss without diet or activity changes can signal a digestive issue requiring evaluation. GI labs are important for routine colorectal cancer screenings, especially for individuals aged 45 and older, or those with a family history of digestive cancers. These screenings detect and remove precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer.