Gastroscopy or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a procedure of examining the condition of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using a scanner called an endoscope, which is a thin and flexible tube equipped with lights and cameras.
Gastroscopy is generally used for the purpose of examining and diagnosing symptoms experienced by patients, such as indigestion, recurrent heartburn, pain in the upper abdomen, excessive nausea and vomiting, or difficulty swallowing. This procedure can also be used as a tool to treat certain conditions, such as bleeding in the stomach ulcer and gastric inflammation, and removing polyps or tumors.
Gastroscopy indications and contraindications
Specifically, the following are conditions that can be seen during a gastroscopy:
- Gastritis or inflammation of the stomach.
- Gastric ulcer.
- Duodenal ulcer.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a leak in the stomach that causes stomach acid to rise into the esophagus.
- Celiac disease, which is a digestive disorder caused by the inability of patients to consume gluten.
- Barrett's esophagus disease, which is an abnormality of cells in the walls of the esophagus (esophagus).
- Porta hypertension and esophageal varices.
- Stomach cancer.
Aside from being visual, this condition can be ascertained by gastric tissue sampling (biopsy) using an endoscope for further examination in the laboratory.
Usually the conditions above can cause symptoms, such as:
- Heartburn.
- Heartburn.
- Repeated nausea and vomiting.
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
- Vomiting blood.
- Black bowel movements.
- Anemia.
In addition to diagnosing, gastroscopy can also be used to treat the condition, for example removing tumors or polyps, stopping bleeding, widening the digestive tract that is narrowed due to GERD, gastric cancer, or due to radiation.
Gastroscopy warning
Gastroscopy procedures should not be performed on patients who experience shock, heart attack, perititis (peritonitis), stomach tears and 12 fingers intestine (perforation), or severe infections. In addition, gastroscopy procedures in patients who have coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, decreased consciousness, or are not cooperative, also need to be careful.
If the patient is going to undergo a biopsy process, you should be careful when taking anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), metformin, or insulin injections. This risks causing bleeding during biopsy.
If you are allergic to one of the sedatives, tell the doctor so the medication can be adjusted.
Before gastroscopy
The patient will be asked to fast for 4-8 hours before gastroscopy to empty the stomach and intestines. Patients are still allowed to consume water 2-3 hours before the procedure. Follow your doctor's advice to stop taking drugs to avoid side effects and complications.
The patient will be asked to remove the glasses, contact lenses, and dentures before the procedure. The hospital will also provide special clothing and mouth restraints to use.
Gastroscopy Procedure
The disease specialist in a gastrointestinal consultant (KGEH) will lay the patient down and provide a local anesthetic spray into the patient's mouth to numb the throat. If needed, patients will be given sedative injections, especially in children.
The patient is laid on the examination table with his body tilted to the left and the doctor will insert an endoscope into the throat. The patient will be asked to swallow it so that it can be pushed into the esophagus. The patient may feel uncomfortable at this stage, but the feeling will subside when the tool starts to push in.
The doctor will then check if there are abnormalities around the esophagus, stomach, to the duodenum through scanning the camera connected to the monitor screen. If certain abnormalities are found, the doctor will record them to determine the diagnosis and further action. At this time the doctor can enter the air to facilitate the examination. The patient may feel bloated in this process, but it will improve shortly after the procedure. If needed, samples will be taken of the esophageal tissue, stomach or intestine 12 fingers, to be examined in the laboratory.
As already said, gastroscopy can also be done to treat certain diseases. For example, to remove polyps, or tie blood vessels and inject chemicals (sclerotherapy) to stop bleeding. If the patient experiences a narrowing of the esophagus, the doctor will insert a balloon or stent through the endoscope in the esophagus to expand it.
After the procedure is finished, the doctor will slowly remove the endoscope through the patient's mouth. In general, gastroscopy procedures require 15-30 minutes, depending on the type of examination and follow-up actions taken.
After gastroscopy
Patients are generally allowed to go home and do activities as usual after undergoing a gastroscopy procedure. However, the patient's health condition will also be considered before performing a gastroscopy. For example patients who experience vomiting of blood will be advised to undergo an inpatient treatment to stabilize the condition due to blood loss. For patients who are given sedative injections, patients are not allowed to drive a vehicle, operate heavy equipment, or consume alcohol for 24 hours after the procedure. It is recommended to contact family or relatives to accompany and drive you home.
The results of the scan will generally be notified to the patient in a matter of hours. However, if an in-depth analysis is needed, the patient will be asked to see the doctor who referred him after several days to discuss the results of the examination and further diagnosis.
The patient may experience bloating, stomach cramps, or sore throat for several hours or several days after the gastroscopy procedure. This is a normal condition and will subside on its own. Diet will also be adjusted so that it can speed up the recovery process. If side effects worsen or you experience other side effects, consult your doctor immediately.
Gastroscopy Complications
Gastroscopy has a very rare risk of complications. Possible complications include an allergic reaction to sedatives, aspiration pneumonia, bleeding, or tearing of the esophagus, stomach, and intestine 12 fingers after the procedure.
See your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms, such as:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Feel the sensation of heat around the area injected with sedatives.
- Chest pain.
- Abdominal pain is severe.
- Heart beat.
- Hard to breathe.
- Vomiting blood.
- Black bowel movements.
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