Hello doctor,I am a 62-year-old single female with swallowing difficulties and pain in chest and throat when I eat. I am very fragile and live alone. I am scheduled for an endoscopy, colonoscopy but I am considering getting just the endoscopy. Can that test alone show any problems in the stomach or colon? And, there has to be more downtime?
Hi. You need to get an endoscopy for your current symptoms. If it is negative, we may go for other tests. A colonoscopy is not recommended for difficulty in swallowing. I think it was suggested in view of age. Endoscopy can show esophagus and stomach. To visualize colon we have to go from the bottom, that is, colonoscopy itself.   Take care.