Gastroscopy
A gastroscopy is test where a doctor looks into the upper part gut, at the gastrointestinal tract. The upper gut consists of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The doctor uses an endoscope to look inside your gut. Therefore, the test is sometimes called endoscopy.
An endoscope is a thin, flexible, telescope. The endoscope is passed through the mouth, into the esophagus and down towards the stomach and duodenum. The tip of the endoscope contains a light and a tiny video camera so the operator can see inside your gut.
The endoscope also has a ’side channel’ thru which various instruments can pass. These can be used by the doctor, for example, to take a small sample (biopsy) from the inside lining of the stomach.
When is it recommended?
A gastroscopy may be advised if you have symptoms such as recurring indigestion, recurring heartburn, pains in the upper abdomen, repeated vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or other symptoms thought to be coming from the upper gut.
The sorts of conditions which can be confirmed (or ruled out) include:
- Esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus). The doctor will see areas of redness on the lining of the esophagus.
- Duodenal or stomach ulcer. An ulcer looks like a small, red crater on the inside lining of the duodenum or stomach.
- Duodenitis (inflammation of the duodenum).
- Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach).
- Cancer of the stomach or esophagus.
- Various other rare conditions.
How is it performed?
Gastroscopy is a routine test which is commonly done. The doctor may numb the back of your throat by spraying on some local anesthetic, or give you an anesthetic lozenge to suck. You may be given a sedative to help you to relax. This is usually given by an injection into a vein in the back of your hand. The sedative can make you drowsy but it does not ‘put you to sleep’. It is not a general anesthetic.
You lie on your side on a couch. You are asked to put a plastic mouth guard between your teeth. This protects your teeth and stops you biting the endoscope. The operator will then ask you to swallow the first section of the endoscope. Modern endoscopes are quite thin and easy to swallow. The operator then gently pushes it further down your esophagus, and into your stomach and duodenum. The video camera at the tip of the endoscope sends pictures to a screen. The operator watches the screen for abnormalities of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
A gastroscopy usually takes about 10 minutes. A gastroscopy does not usually hurt, but it can be a little uncomfortable, particularly when you first swallow the endoscope. Most people are ready to go home after resting for half an hour or so. Most gastroscopies are done without any problem.
