Upper GI Endoscopy (Gastroscopy)
A guide to the Test
You have been advised to have an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to help find the cause of your symptoms. The test is sometimes called a “gastroscopy” or simply an “endoscopy”. This leaflet has been prepared after talking to patients who had had the test. It may not answer all your questions; so if you have any worries please don’t hesitate to ask. The staff who are doing the test will be available to answer any queries Not ever hospital does things in exactly the same way.
What is an Upper GI Endoscopy?
Upper GI endoscopy is a test whil allows the doctor to look directly at the lining of the oesophagus (the gullet), the stomach and around the first bend of the small intestine – the duodenum. In order to do the test, an endoscope is passed through your mouth into the stomach. The endoscope is a long flexible tube (thinner than your little finger) with a bright light at the end. Looking down the tube, the doctor gets a clear view of the lining of the stomach and can check whether or not any disease is present.
Sometimes the doctor takes a biopsy- a sample of tissue for analysis in the laboratory. The tissue is removed painlessly through the endoscope, using tiny forceps.
What should you expect?
The preparation: To allow a clear view, the stomach must be empty. You will therefore be asked not to have anything to eat or drink for at least six hours before the test. When you come to the department, a doctor will explain the test to you and will usually ask you to sign a consent form. This is to ensure that you understand the test and its implications. Please tell the doctor or nurse if you have had any allergies or bad reactions to drugs or other tests. They will also want to know about any previous endoscopy you have had. If you have any worries or questions at this stage don’t be afraid to ask. The staff will want you to be as relaxed as possible for the test and will not mind answering your queries.
You may be asked to take off your shirt or jumper and to put on a hospital gown. It will also be necessary for you to remove any false teeth. They will be kept safely until after the examination.
During the test: In the examination room you w30 December, 2007A nurse will stay with you throughout the test. Some doctors may spray a local anaesthetic on the back of your throat or give you a tablet to suck to numb the area. The doctor may give you an injection into your arm to make you feel sleepy and relaxed but many hospitals now find that the test can be performed without any sedation, as the endoscopies have become much smaller and are easier to swallow. To keep your mouth slightly open, a plastic mouthpiece will be put gently between your teeth. When the doctor passes the endoscope into your stomach it will not cause you any pain, nor will it interfere with your breathing at any time. It may take up to fifteen minutes to examine all the areas of the stomach carefully. During this some air will be passed down the tube to distend the stomach and allow the doctor a clearer view. The air is sucked out at the end of the test. If you get a lot of saliva in your mouth, the nurse will clear it using a sucker. When the examination is finished, the tube is removed quickly and easily.
After the test
You will be left to rest in the unit for at least thirty minutes. You will be given a drink but if you have had your throat numbed by a spray or lozenge, you will have to wait until your swallowing reflex is back to normal. This usually takes more than an hour. After this you can eat and drink normally. The back of your throat may feel sore for the rest of the day. You may also feel a little bloated if some of the air has remained in your stomach. Both these discomforts will pass and need no medication.
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