All You Need to Know About Endoscopy Gastro

During a regular gastroendoscopy, the doctor usually holds the end of the gastroscope with his right hand and slowly inserts it into the mouth towards the base of the tongue. At this point, there is often a feeling of nausea. When the nausea is obvious or when the patient swallows, the upper esophageal sphincter opens, and the doctor will insert the gastroscope into the esophagus through the opening. When the patient's cooperation is poor, the doctor often reminds them to swallow, as this will facilitate the insertion of the gastroscope.

Classification of gastroendoscopy

• Ultrasonic gastroendoscopy: Ultrasonic gastroendoscopy is actually a combination of gastroendoscopy and ultrasound examination, which extends the function of regular endoscopy gastro.

• Regular gastroendoscopy: Regular gastroendoscopy is also known as painful gastroendoscopy. During the procedure, the patient may experience discomfort, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloating.

• Pain-free gastroendoscopy: Pain-free gastroendoscopy is a gastroscope without pain. It is mainly performed under the assistance of an anesthesiologist through intravenous anesthesia, allowing the patient to fall asleep and undergo gastro scope without pain or sensation.

Indications for endoscopy gastro

• Patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms (such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, upper abdominal pain, vomiting, etc.) who are suspected of having lesions in the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum and need clinical diagnosis.

• Patients who have been diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal lesions, such as peptic ulcers, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, etc., and need follow-up or observation of treatment effects.

• Patients with digestive tract bleeding whose cause and location are unclear.

• Patients with upper gastrointestinal lesions discovered through imaging examinations who need to clarify their nature.

• Patients with upper gastrointestinal foreign bodies.

• Patients who need endoscopic treatment, such as endoscopic variceal ligation or injection of a sclerosing agent for esophageal varices, endoscopic mucosal resection for early gastric cancer, etc.

• Patients with a family history of gastric cancer and other high-risk individuals for gastric cancer.

• Patients with Helicobacter pylori infection who need to clarify whether there is gastric mucosal lesions or need Helicobacter pylori culture and drug sensitivity testing to guide treatment.

Preparations for endoscopy gastro

• Patients who have been taking anticoagulant drugs such as aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin for a long time need to communicate fully with relevant department physicians and stop taking the drugs for 1 week before the gastroendoscopy to prevent gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

• From 10 pm the day before the examination, fasting and abstaining from drinking water until the examination the next day. Eat a light diet the day before (such as porridge, soft rice, soft noodles, minced meat, pureed vegetables, etc.), try not to drink milk or yogurt and other foods that may affect the examination effect, and abstain from smoking and alcohol.

• On the day of the examination, patients with hypertension can take a small amount of water to take antihypertensive drugs in the morning to prevent adverse reactions due to high blood pressure during the examination.

• On the day of the examination, diabetic patients should temporarily stop taking hypoglycemic drugs or insulin in the morning.

• Patients who smoke need to quit smoking one day before the examination to avoid coughing during the examination, which may affect the operation. In addition, smoking cessation can also reduce gastric acid secretion and facilitate observation.

• Before the examination, complete blood routine, liver function, coagulation function, and screening for infectious diseases should be done.

• Bring the past medical records and examination results with you for the doctor's reference.

• Remove dentures and eyeglasses and other items before the endoscopy gastro to avoid affecting the examination.

• Elderly patients also need to complete chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and other examinations to evaluate whether the patient can tolerate the endoscopic examination.

• Pay attention to adjusting your mood and maintaining a good emotional state. If you feel uncomfortable, inform the doctor immediately.

• A direct family member should accompany the patient for the endoscopy gastro to explain the condition and sign necessary documents.