Gastroscopy is a testing of the inside of the gullet, duodenum and stomach. It is performed by facilitating a slender, flexible fibre-optic device that is passed through the mouth and enabled the doctor to analyze about the probability of any damage to the lining of the oesophagus (gullet) or stomach, and if there are any ulcers in the stomach or duodenum.
The gastroscopy will ascertain when drug treatment itself is enough or whether an examination by gastroscopy at the local hospital is imperative.
The method is painless and is basically done under a mild sedative in a special endoscopy unit.
This process may also be conducted, after a discussion with the endoscopist, without sedation. When sedation is facilitated, the patient is instructed not to drive or operate machinery for the entire day.
Anyone suffering from stomach disorders or pains should visit a doctor who will, in majority of the cases, treat the signs without a prominent testing.
You will be instructed to stop eating or drinking anything for at least 6 hours prior to the schedule of test.
If you are on any medication, check with your doctor if it is possible to continue taking them. You may be instructed to cease to take medicines that can enhance the risk of bleeding for a few days prior to the test; these may encompass aspirin, warfarin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs. However, this depends on your personal conditions, so you should keep a check.
You should also indicate the centre performing the gastroscopy if you have any specific condition that requires you to consume antibiotics. Probably if you require antibiotics prior to dental procedures — you may required antibiotics before gastroscopy too.
Before your gastroscopy, the physician will have a talk pertaining to the test with you and answer any questions, if any, you will also be asked to sign a consent form enabling the test to be done.
You must let your doctor know if you are on anticoagulant medications (medicines that stop your blood from clotting) like heparin, clopidogrel or warfarin.
Gastroscopy is generally done as a day-case process in hospital. This means you are not supposed to stay in the hospital overnight.
Your stomach must be entirely empty so that your doctor can clearly view the lining of your stomach and duodenum. You will be instructed to follow fasting process. Usually, you must not eat or drink for six to eight hours prior to your scheduled gastroscopy. It’s necessary to follow your doctor’s advice.
Gastroscopy may be performed under local anaesthesia, which is basically administered as a throat spray. This ceases pain from your throat, but you will remain awake during the entire procedure. You will generally be offered a sedative to enable you relax, which is administered as an injection at the start of the gastroscopy. Sedative drugs used may include diazepam and nevertheless you will still be awake you may recall very little about the procedure.
The entire process generally takes somewhere around 30 minutes.
Your nurse will instruct you to take off your shirt or top and wear a hospital gown. You may also be asked to remove contact lenses, dentures or dental plates, glasses and jewelry, if any.
If you're supposed to have a sedative, this is generally administered through a fine tube into a vein in your arm. Sedatives can often influence your breathing. During your gastroscopy, your doctor will keep a check on the amount of oxygen in your blood facilitating a sensor associated with your finger and you may be given extra oxygen to breathe if required.
You need to lie on your left side with your head bent slightly forward. Your physician will place a mouth guard over your teeth carefully putting the gastroscope through the opening in the guard into your mouth. Your doctor will instruct you to swallow to enable the gastroscope to pass into your oesophagus and down into your stomach.
A nurse may also facilitate a suction tube to remove extra saliva from your mouth all through the procedure.
Your doctor will push air through the gastroscope into your stomach to fill it. This will enable your stomach lining easier to view. The camera lens at the end of the gastroscope transmits images from the inside of your body to a monitor. Your physician will view these images to analyze the lining of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.
If required, your doctor will take a biopsy (a small tissue sample)or remove small growths of tissue termed as polyps. This is conducted facilitating special instruments sent inside the gastroscope. The samples will be referred to a laboratory for examination. Some other processes can be carried out through the gastroscope, which may include stretching slender areas of your oesophagus, stomach or duodenum, and fixing ulcers or blood vessels facilitating injections or heat.