Have you wondered how important a test might be? Is it known that with a mere examination, perhaps, can life be saved? Read the details below.

WHAT IS GASTROSCOPY?

Gastroscopy is a visual examination. Ιt allows full color, continuous on screen recording  (as opposed to X-rays taken only by black-and-white photographs) the inner surface of the esophagus, stomach and the 1st part of the intestine. Photos you can also get taken. To test the gastroscope will pass through your mouth to the stomach. The gastroscope is a thin, flexible hose, which is about the thickness of a small finger (0.9cm) with strong edge lighting to transmit image. It draws air to stretch the stomach folds for a better image and prevents breathing or pain. The doctor may see lesions where there may be eg ulcers. If necessary in some cases, it is possible to take some small parts of the mucosa (biopsies) which is safe and painless, from any pathological areas for further laboratory analysis. This is done to distinguish the benign from the malignant conditions or even to check if there is a helicobacter that causes ulcer or gastritis.

WHY IS IT NECESSARY?

1) This test is performed to investigate a cause of symptoms such as:

  • difficulty in swallowing pain
  • burning behind the sternum
  • haematemesis or caffeine vomiting or stools (bleeding)
  • anorexia or weight loss
  • unexplained anemia
  • abdominal pain in the upper abdomen (eg ulcer suspected)
  • indigestion
  • superior abdominal discomfort with empirical failure
  • persistent nausea or vomiting

2) If there is a need to take tissue or fluid from the duodenum

3) for the control of patients with cirrhosis for the presence of varicose veins in order to introduce prophylactic medication or endoscopic treatment

4) to help the doctor in diagnosing or treating diseases such as, for example:

  • inflammation
  • ulcers
  • volume (more definitely than an X-ray) esophagus, stomach or duodenum

5) To monitor:

  • gastric, oesophageal and anastomotic ulcers
  • the healing of ulcers
  • barrett's esophagus
  • familial adenomatous polyposis
  • adenomatous gastric polyps
  • varices treated endoscopically

 

PREPARATION

In order to have a clear picture and to be absolutely safe, it is important that your stomach is empty, so do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before endoscopy (even water). If you are taking pills for the heart, steroids use as little water as possible. In the history of valve, hip, antibiotic transplantation, dental procedures etc. it is necessary to take antibiotics. It is also necessary that the doctor be informed of the previous test if anticoagulants, aspirin or antidiabetic tablets are taken to give you the necessary instructions. Do not take antacids. The doctor and / or the nurse will explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have. Always inform them about any allergies to medicines, other health problems, pregnancy - breastfeeding.

ARE THERE SPECIAL PROBLEMS?

If there are serious cardiological or respiratory problems, special precautions should be taken to reduce the relative risk such as O2 administration during and / or heart rate monitoring and O2 levels during the examination. You should always inform your doctor about your serious health problems.

WHAT TO TAKE OFF BEFORE THE EXAMINATION IS STARTED?

It is necessary to remove your glasses, contact lenses, artificial dentures, kennels etc. and lie down in the endoscopic bed in a comfortable left side position. It is preferable to wear comfortable clothes!

HOW GASTROSCOPE IS DOING?

Inside the endoscopic room you will lie down comfortably on your left side. A nurse will be with you throughout the examination. A local anesthetic in the form of a spray will spray into the pharynx to numb. A mouthpiece is placed to protect your teeth and keep your mouth open. Your pressure and shrugs are recorded. You may be given a sponge (short-acting) medicine to be calm and slightly sedated during the examination. In some cases, a non-sedative test can be performed as the modern endoscopes are too small in thickness and are easy to push into the stomach.

I WILL HURT;

As you are in a comfortable left lateral position and the tranquillizer begins to act, the doctor passes the endoscope through the mouth down into the throat. Appropriate manipulations promote the organ in the stomach and with a little air makes it easier to look at the stomach. The doctor will not cause any pain or prevent you from breathing. Once the doctor completes the review, it removes as much air as possible, and then the gastroscope is carefully removed. If your mouth is filled with saliva during the test, let it roll out onto the special tissue carefully placed underneath your head. The test takes about 5-15 minutes to allow the doctor to carefully examine all the parts required. Your escort remains in the waiting area.

IS GASTROSCOPY SAFE?

Gastroscopy is almost always a simple and very safe test. It is quite rare to cause problems. Extremely rarely, a reaction to the anesthetic medicine may occur. The gastroscope is an instrument that is sterilized after each use in a special dishwasher with a special disinfectant and sterilizer.

WHAT IS AFTER THE EXAMINATION?

You will stay in the clinic for about 1 hour. Until the main drug action passes, the nurse will be there to take care of you. The doctor will discuss with you and your companion the results of the introspection. You may feel your throat a little numb or little sensitive. It is preferable not to eat or drink anything (mainly hot or frozen) until the numbness has passed. You can return to your normal diet (better soft foods in the first 4 hours) unless otherwise specified. You may feel a little "inflated" because of the air that has been inserted. This quickly passes. If you have been given an intravenous injection, a companion should take you to your home. For the rest of the day (about 8-12 hours) it is necessary not to: drive, use machine, make important decisions (eg signing legal documents) drink alcohol because it may have temporarily affected the memory (you may not remember details of a conversation) or your reflexes. If you need follow-up, you will close an appointment to discuss the results and treatment. Also, if necessary, a copy of the finding will be sent to the doctor who referred you.

WHAT IS IN THE CASE OF VIOPSION DOSING?

They should be studied in a pathological laboratory. It takes some days to get the conclusion. If the results show a serious finding, an effort will be made to communicate with you directly.