If you accidentally grazed your arm against a sharp object or an abrasive surface, you will be able to identify the cause of the pain and see its impact on your skin. You can clean it up, put a bandage on it, and it will heal on its own in a couple of days. But what if the damage occurs on a body part that you cannot see, like the lining of your esophagus, or in your stomach or small intestines? While the outward symptoms may shed some light on what is going on inside, diagnosing the cause of the problem is not as easy. Then there is the treatment to be considered. Unlike a scrape or any superficial wound on the skin which can be treated with an antiseptic and a Band Aid, problems of the gastrointestinal system need more than that – you need a gastroscopy in Singapore (https://andrea-digestive-clinic.com/gastroscopy/) to properly assess and treat your condition.

To learn more about gastroscopy, this article will discuss the following:

  • What is a gastroscopy?
  • Why do I need a gastroscopy?
  • What is the difference between a gastroscopy and a colonoscopy?
  • This is my first time to undergo a gastroscopy – how should I prepare for it and what should I expect?
  • What can I expect after the procedure?

Gastroscopy defined

Gastroscopy is a medical procedure that utilizes an endoscope, a long, thin, and flexible tube that has a small video camera at one end. The endoscope is passed through the esophagus, then to the stomach, until it arrives in the upper portion of the small intestines. The examination is performed by a gastroenterologist, who is an expert in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. If your primary care doctor has detected an issue in the GI tract, they are highly likely to advise you to go to a gastroenterologist for a further assessment of the issue.

Why gastroscopy matters

There are several reasons why a person may need a gastroscopy. If you experience abnormal bleeding, anemia or iron deficiency, pain when swallowing food, sudden weight loss, persistent indigestion or heartburn, constant feeling of being sick, and blood in your vomit or stool, your doctor might recommend a gastroscopy.

People with Barrett’s esophagus – a condition that affects the cells in the esophagus’ lining and common in people with acid reflux or GERD – are required to undergo a gastroscopy in Singapore. During the procedure, the doctor will take small samples of tissues (biopsy) on areas where abnormalities are present. The samples will be sent to the laboratory to check if there for any inflammation, ulcer, polyp, lesion, or similar growths. In some cases, gastroscopy is used to stop bleeding from an ulcer, remove a polyp, widen a narrow esophagus, or remove foreign objects from the esophagus, stomach, or small intestines. 

Some GI tracts conditions have symptoms that can easily be overlooked while others like GERD and H.Pylori infections, which causes chronic inflammation of the esophagus and stomach lining respectively, may lead to cancer if no medical intervention is present. It is therefore important to get a gastroscopy as needed in order to detect and treat problems early. 

Gastroscopy versus colonoscopy

Gastroscopy and colonoscopy are both endoscopic procedures, albeit with certain differences. The procedure is referred to as gastroscopy when the scope is inserted through the mouth to assess the condition of the stomach or the upper GI tract. When the scope is inserted through the anus to examine the colon and rectum, it is known as a colonoscopy.

It takes around ten minutes for a doctor to perform a gastroscopy and the patient is required to fast for 6 hours before the procedure.  A colonoscopy takes a longer time – more or less thirty minutes – and a colonoscopy patient will be asked to avoid any fruits and vegetables, consume a low-residue diet, and take a bowel-cleansing laxative a day before the procedure. 

Gastroscopy for a first-time patient

You should inform the doctor if you have allergies, medical conditions, are wearing a medical device (pacemaker), or taking blood thinning medications (e.g., Warfarin, Clopidogrel, Apixaban, Ticagrelor, or aspirin) to avoid complications. Your doctor will let you know if you need to stop taking these or other medications for a while before your gastroscopy.

As mentioned above, the doctor will instruct you not to eat any solid food for six hours before the procedure, but you may be allowed to take small sips of water up to two hours beforehand. 

While some people opt to be awake during the gastroscopy, you can ask your doctor to give you sedatives so that you will be asleep and relaxed. The doctor (or the endoscopist) will spray a local anesthetic on the back of your throat to numb it and allow easier passage of the tube. Do not worry because it is painless! It can be uncomfortable, and you might gag a bit, your eyes may water, and your mouth may taste bitter but (thankfully) there is no pain involved.

Once your throat goes numb, the doctor will pass the gastroscope through your mouth and down your throat through the esophagus. You will be asked to swallow as the gastroscope goes down. At this point, the doctor will see the images from the gastroscope on a small monitor scree. A small amount of air may be injected into the tube to help them see the GI tract more clearly, so expect that this may make you feel like burping (it is normal!). The doctor will gently remove the gastroscope when the examination is done.

After your gastroscopy

Bloating and a general feeling of discomfort are normal after a gastroscopy. These usually lasts for several hours. For patients who opted to undergo the procedure without sedation, they can usually go home as soon as the test is done, but they will not be able to consume any food or drink until the anesthetic spray has worn off (which takes up to an hour). Those who had sedation will be required to stay and rest at the medical facility for an hour or two to recover. Furthermore, they will not be allowed to go to work, drink alcoholic beverages, drive, travel alone on public transport, operate heavy machinery, and sign important documents for the next 24 hours.

Overall, gastroscopy is a very safe procedure. Although complications can occur, they are very rare especially when the procedure is carried out by experienced and trained medical professionals. If you are looking for such, you can book an appointment at Andrea’s Digestive, Colon, Liver and Gallbladder Clinic. We will make sure that your safety and well-being are prioritized in every step of the way.

 

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Andrea Digestive Clinic

 

#21-11/12 Royal Square at Novena 101

Irrawaddy Road Singapore 329565

 

https://andrea-digestive-clinic.com

 

+65 6264 2836