What is gastroscopy?
Gastroscopy is an imaging method that allows direct visual inspection of the esophagus, stomach and right duodenum. This process is done with the help of a thin, soft and bendable tube-shaped instrument with a light and micro camera at the end.
When is gastroscopy necessary?
In the diagnosis of diseases related to the esophagus such as stomach pain, difficulty in swallowing, burning and pain in the back of the chest, bitter water in the mouth, Pain in the upper part of the abdomen, burning, souring, nausea, vomiting, treatment-resistant anemia, weight loss of unknown origin, such as stomach and duodenum In the diagnosis of diseases suggestive of the intestine, In determining the cause of upper digestive system bleeding, which is manifested by fresh blood from the mouth and vomit like coffee grounds or black stools, and In the diagnosis of esophagus and stomach cancers, Gastroscopy is used to detect inflamed areas, small ulcers and tumors. It is a more reliable method. It is also possible to take a biopsy without pain with the help of a thin instrument passed through the gastroscope. It is also possible to widen strictures, remove tumors called polyps without the need for surgery, remove ingested foreign bodies and treat bleeding with the help of special instruments passed through the gastroscope.
Can I eat or drink anything before gastroscopy?
For a good examination, your stomach should be completely empty. For this purpose, you should not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before the procedure. Will I feel discomfort during gastroscopy? In this method, you will not have a complete loss of consciousness as in general anesthesia, but you will become quite relaxed and sleepy, and you will not be disturbed by the procedure. In addition, when you wake up after gastroscopy, you will usually not remember the procedure at all, thanks to the special effect of the drugs used. Most importantly, you will definitely not have pain, shortness of breath or nausea-vomiting during the procedure. How will the gastroscopy procedure be performed?
Your doctor will inform you about the procedure to be performed and the problems that may be encountered, make a detailed medical inquiry, and then ask you to sign a consent form showing that you allow the procedure to be performed. After you are admitted to the endoscopy room, you will be asked to wear a special patient gown, and remove your glasses or dentures, if any. After the procedure, you will be asked to wear a special patient gown, take off your glasses or dentures, if any. Before starting the procedure, a numbing medicine will be sprayed into your mouth to prevent nausea and burping, and then a mouthguard will be placed between your teeth. This mouthguard will not interfere with your breathing. You will be lying on your left side throughout the procedure. After intravenous sedatives are given and you are thoroughly relaxed, your doctor will advance the endoscope through the mouth towards your stomach. Gastroscopy is not a procedure that prevents you from breathing. The procedure will take an average of 15-30 minutes. What will be done after gastroscopy?
After the procedure is over, you will stay under the supervision of a nurse for about half an hour in the rest room until the effect of the sedative drugs disappears. After you recover, you will be informed in detail by your doctor about the gastroscopy findings.