Gastroscopy, also called upper endoscopy, is the most accurate way to examine the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. It is short, safe and, with sedation, completely unproblematic for the vast majority of patients.
Before the examination
You come fasting: no solid food for twelve hours before the sedation and nothing to drink, not even water, for six hours before. If you take blood thinners or diabetes medication, we discuss in advance how to handle them. Bring your medication list and previous results.
During the examination
You lie on your left side. A specialist anaesthesiologist starts the sedation and monitors you throughout. Most patients sleep and do not remember the examination.
A thin, flexible endoscope is passed through the mouth and the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum is examined. If needed, small tissue samples are taken, for example to test for Helicobacter pylori or to check for coeliac disease. This is painless. The examination itself takes about ten to fifteen minutes.
Afterwards
After a short rest we discuss the findings directly. Biopsy results are available after a few days. Because of the sedation you must not drive yourself on the day of the examination; please arrange to be picked up.
When is a gastroscopy useful?
- Persistent heartburn or reflux, especially when medication does not help
- Difficulty swallowing
- Upper abdominal pain, nausea, fullness
- Iron-deficiency anaemia or blood in the stool
- Follow-up of known changes such as Barrett's oesophagus
Questions about the examination? We are happy to answer them beforehand in the consultation.