FGDS - what is it? This question arises in many people who were first prescribed a referral to a gastroscopist. It is worth noting that such an examination of the stomach, esophagus and duodenum is carried out in order to identify various pathologies of all these organs (ulcers, erosion, candidiasis, etc.), which cause extremely painful sensations in the patient.
FGDS - what is it?
The abbreviation presented is deciphered by a rather long medical term that sounds like fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy. By the way, to significantly reduce this type of examination, not only capital letters of FGDS, but also FGS, FEGDS, as well as the word "gastroscopy" are often used.
How is the examination carried out?
FGDS - what is it? Having found out this information, many hospital patients flatly refuse to undergo such an examination. After all, it is produced using a flexible fiber-optic medical device in the form of a long tube with a camera at the end. It is her who is led sequentially first into the oral cavity, then into the esophagus, and then into the stomach and duodenum.
Of course, this procedure is rather unpleasant for the patient. But if you do not do it on time, then an undiagnosed and, as a result, untreated disease can become so neglected that surgical intervention is required. It is also worth noting that the FGDS provides not only a purely visual examination of the mucous membranes of the digestive system, but also a painless sampling of small pieces of tissue for their further investigation (biopsy).
Preliminary preparation
To conduct such an examination effectively, the lumen of all digestive organs must be absolutely free. In this regard, the patient is provided in advance with simple instructions for the necessary preparation. It includes the following recommendations:
- The day before the examination, do not eat heavy and indigestible food.
- If FGDS is scheduled for 9-10 in the morning, then after 8 in the evening it is advisable for the patient to refuse to use any food (drinking water is allowed).
- In the morning before the study, it is strictly forbidden to eat or drink anything.
By the way, after the gastroscopy is completed, the patient is also not recommended to eat food for two hours.
As for the direct preparation before the study, 1-3 minutes before the endoscopic fibrosis, the patient is anesthetized, that is, irrigation of the throat (pharynx) with a special drug that provides a significant decrease in sensitivity during swallowing of the endoscope. In the event that you have any allergic reactions to medications, you should definitely tell your doctor about this.
Is the procedure painful?
FGDS - what is it? Having learned the answer to this question, many are worried by the following: “How painful is the procedure itself?” On average, such a study lasts several minutes. It is made while lying on the left side. There is no need to take off your clothes. The more relaxed and calm the patient will be during the procedure, the easier it will go. Those who have ever undergone such an examination claim that it is painless, but extremely unpleasant.
Only your attending physician (usually a gastroenterologist) can tell you where to do FGDS. As a rule, these are private or public clinics, where there is a specialist gastroscopist, as well as an equipped office that meets all the requirements.