Gastroscopy is a procedure in which a doctor uses an endoscope, a long, flexible tube with a camera & light to see the lining of your upper GI tract. It is also called as Endoscopy, OGDscopy or Gastroduodenoscopy.

Indications for Gastroscopy:

• Persistent heartburn, nausea and vomiting
• Blood vomiting
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Difficulty in swallowing or painful swallowing
• Anorexia, unexplained weight loss
• Hiccups,continuous Belchings, Foul smell to breath
• Regurgitation of food
• Nocturnal episodes of reflux
• Throat pain, Change in voice
• Chronic cough
• Exacerbation of Asthma episodes due to reflux
• Anemia
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Chronic small bowel diarrhea

How do I prepare for an upper GI endoscopy?

Talk with your doctor!

You should talk with your doctor about medical conditions you have and all prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take, including:

• Aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin
• Arthritis medicines
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen
• Blood thinners
• Blood pressure medicines
• Diabetes medicines

Do not eat or drink before the procedure.

The doctor needs to examine the lining of your upper GI tract during the procedure. If food or drink is in your upper GI tract when you have the procedure, the doctor will not be able to see this lining clearly. To make sure your upper GI tract is clear, the doctor will most often advise you not to eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum during the 8 hours before the procedure.

How do doctors perform an upper GI endoscopy ?

A doctor performs an upper GI endoscopy in a hospital or an outpatient center. You will be given a liquid anesthetic to gargle or spray anesthetic on the back of your throat. The anesthetic numbs your throat and calms the gag reflex. The health care staff will monitor your vital signs. In apprehensive patient procedure can be done under sedation or short general anaesthesia which helps you stay relaxed and comfortable during the procedure.
You’ll be asked to lie on your side on an exam table. The doctor will carefully feed the endoscope down your esophagus and into your stomach and duodenum. A small camera mounted on the endoscope will send a video images to a monitor, allowing close examination of the lining of your upper GI tract. The endoscope pumps air into your stomach and duodenum, making them easier to see. The procedure most often takes between 5 to10 minutes. The endoscope does not interfere with your breathing.
After the procedure you can do your routine activities , join office and also have your food. You may require to stay at the hospital or outpatient center for 1 to 2 hours after the procedure if sedation is given during the procedure.
Results from an upper GI endoscopy are available right away after the procedure. The doctor will share these results with you and also advice the necessary treatment and dietary instructions. A pathologist will examine the biopsy tissue to help confirm a diagnosis. Biopsy results take a few days or longer to come back.