Gastroscopy

An upper endoscopy is a procedure used to visually examine your upper digestive system with a tiny camera on the end of a long, flexible tube.
A specialist in diseases of the digestive system (gastroenterologist) uses endoscopy to diagnose and, sometimes, treat conditions that affect the esophagus, stomach and beginning of the small intestine (duodenum).

A gastroscopy may be advised for 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 sort of conditions which can be confirmed (or ruled out) include:

• Oesophagitis (inflammation of the oesophagus). The operator will see areas of redness on the lining of the oesophagus.
• Duodenal and stomach ulcers. An ulcer looks like a small, red crater on the inside lining of the duodenum or stomach.
• Duodenitis and gastritis (inflammation of the duodenum and stomach).
• Cancer of the stomach and oesophagus.
• Various other rare conditions.

Preparation:

You should get instructions from the hospital department before your test. The sort of instructions given commonly include:

• You should not eat for 4-6 hours before the test. The stomach needs to be empty. (Small sips of water may be allowed up to two hours before the test.)
• If you have a sedative you will need somebody to accompany you home.
• Advice about medication which may need to be stopped before the test.