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Gastroscopy is a basic preventive examination that allows you to evaluate the esophagus, stomach and duodenal bulb. The indications for gastroscopy are, among others heartburn, stomach pain, inflammation of the stomach and esophagus. See how the gastroscopic examination works and how to prepare for it.

Gastroscopytobasic prophylactic examination , which allows you to accurately assess the esophagus, stomach and duodenal bulb in terms of the appearance of the mucosa, gastric juice ( color, quantity, presence of a possible admixture of bile) and the elasticity of the walls.Gastroscopyis performed using a flexible apparatus (endoscope) as thick as a little finger, which is inserted into the stomach through the mouth.

Gastroscopy - what is this examination about?

During gastroscopy it is possible to collect material for histopathological examination (the so-called endoscopic biopsy).

Collecting the material for examination is of particular importance in the diagnosis and prevention of neoplastic changes. It usually includes the mucosa and a shallow fragment of the submucosa.

The fragments collected during gastroscopy (the collection with forceps of various sizes is painless) are then sent to the laboratory for examination under the microscope.

During gastroscopy, many therapeutic procedures can also be performed. The doctor performing the gastroscopy examination may:

  • widen the narrowing of the digestive tract,
  • remove polyps or swallowed foreign bodies,
  • stop upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Indications for the gastroscopy

The following ailments may be an indication for gastroscopy:

  • swallowing difficulties - they may be caused by inflammatory changes in the esophagus or motor disturbances in the form of diffuse contractions
  • heartburn - the most common cause of this is the acid regurgitation in the esophagus. It can also be caused by abnormal gastric emptying in the course of peptic ulcer disease
  • chronic gastritis
  • vomiting
  • upper gastrointestinal bleeding
  • anemia
  • unexplained weight loss
  • suspected presence of foreign bodies
  • pain in the epigastric area

Likeprepare for a gastroscopy?

Gastroscopy is an examination you need to prepare for. This applies to both he althy people and those suffering from various diseases:

  • do not eat anything 8 hours before the gastroscopy examination,
  • do not drink anything, smoke or chew gum for 4 hours before the test,
  • People who constantly take medications, e.g. for hypertension, heart disease, epilepsy, should take their normal daily dose of their medications with a little water.

How does the gastroscopy work and how long does the examination take?

Before the examination, one should take off the glasses and remove the dentures. Then the throat is anesthetized with a drug in the form of an aerosol, which reduces the discomfort associated with the insertion of the apparatus.

Sometimes sedatives are administered intravenously during gastroscopy. Gastroscopy is performed lying down on the left side with the head tucked against the chest.

The gastroscope is inserted through the mouthpiece, which the examined person holds with their teeth until the end of the examination. During the entire examination, saliva should not be swallowed as it flows freely into the bib. You should breathe freely and regularly.

Due to the fact that a small amount of air is introduced into the stomach during gastroscopy, you may experience a feeling of bloating and belching. These are normal phenomena during gastroscopy and disappear as soon as it is completed.

The test time is individually variable. On average, however, it is a few minutes.

  • Endoscopy: when is endoscopic examination done?
  • Sigmoidoscopy: endoscopy of the colon

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