Gastroscopy
GASTROSCOPY VIDEO COMING SOON
Everything covered in the above video for the hearing impaired and includes all links for Patient Forms and Instructions .
WHY WOULD YOU
NEED A GASTROSCOPY?
A gastroscopy is done mainly to investigate symptoms of the upper gastrointestinal tract. These symptoms Include upper abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, reflux symptoms, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and even diarrhea.
There are also a number of causes of anemia that can be identified through gastroscopy and these include
Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach,
and rarely cancer.
The vast majority of gastroscopies that we do for upper abdominal symptoms are normal.
Gastroscopy, also known as upper endoscopy, involves using a thin flexible tube (endoscope) to examine the upper digestive track.
The tube is inserted into the mouth and travels down the food pipe (oesophagus), then into the stomach and first part of the small intestine (duodenum), to view these areas.
The endoscope contains a light and video camera that transmits images to a monitor, where they can be seen by a doctor.
You will be registered and all of your personal details will be confirmed. At this point will be asked to sign the consent form that go over the risks of the procedure.
You will be escorted into the procedure room where you will be given a moment to change into a gown. Usually your tops can stay on. The nurse will then start an intravenous line, which has minimal discomfort.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT GETTING READY
Monitors including a blood pressure cuff, oxygen saturation monitor and ECG leads will be placed. The blood pressure cuff will get tight as it takes its first reading. We will ask you to turn on your left side as in the diagram below.
Sedation with the drug Propofol is the usual means to keep you comfortable. Propofol is a milky white liquid that can burn slightly in the arm as it goes in. It acts quickly and its effects wear off quickly.
It often induces comfortable dreams, is extremely safe and is widely used for endoscopy procedures. You will still be breathing on your own. The vast majority of patients will have no recollection of the procedure.
SEDATION
AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE
YOU MUST HAVE ANOTHER PERSON TO TAKE YOU HOME
It is absolutely necessary to have someone available to pick you up and take you back to your home. If you do not have someone to fulfill this obligation we will not be able to give you any sedation. This will mean cancelling the procedure and you will have to do the prep all over again. This person cannot be a taxi or Uber driver.
YOU NEED 24 HOURS TO RECOVER FROM THE SEDATION
You should not make any important decisions, nor should you drive or operate any machinery, for 24 hours after the sedation.
YOUR REGULAR MEDICATIONS
Most medications should be taken at their normal times, including the morning of the colonoscopy itself. There are a few exceptions, particularly blood thinners and diabetes medications.
We will give you specific instructions to let you know exactly what to do.
You may notice that you have a sore throat.
You may feel a bit bloated but you should not have any abdominal pain after the procedure.
A small amount of discomfort can be experienced as you finish expelling any gas.
However, any pain that lasts more than a couple hours after the procedure is of concern.
You should not go to sleep if you are experiencing abdominal pain after the gastroscopy.
If you have abdominal pain approaching the time that you would normally be ready for bed he should go to the nearest emergency department.
NORMAL SIDE EFFECTS