Sometimes you have to make a choice which food to eat. The preference for this or that dish is given to give for the reason that the stomach periodically fails, begins to hurt. Without a thorough examination, it is not always possible to make the correct diagnosis. In order to check the digestive organs, sometimes you have to do a gastroscopy.
Let's talk about the procedure
Agree, before you go for an examination, you should at least learn a little about what awaits you. Gastroscopy is a procedure during which an examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum occurs. For these purposes, a fiber optic tool is used.
It looks like a long, thin tube, called a “gastroscope”. The tube is flexible and easily inserted through the mouth into the intestines. The resulting image is transmitted to the TV screen. It is clear and detailed. If necessary, it can be printed using a printer. The procedure is carried out carefully and carefully.
It should be said right away that the procedure is painless, but not very pleasant. Sometimes, so that the patient transfers it easily, he is given sedatives. But not always worth it. After their reception, you can not drive a car and it is unlikely to be able to do the work that requires a high concentration of attention.
At present, gastroscopy is the most informative way to diagnose diseases of the digestive system.
What is the procedure for?
- It enables the specialist to carefully examine the gastric mucosa. Detect all damage, irritation and swelling. Gastroscopy is safer and more accurate than x-rays.
- It allows you to take photos of the gastric mucosa and take a sample. The resulting image can be recorded in order to subsequently monitor changes in the patient’s health status.
- It makes it possible to accurately diagnose. Sometimes diseases have the same symptoms. Thanks to this method, a dangerous disease can be detected.
- Using this method, you can take a small intestine biopsy. This is done in order to exclude a disease such as celiac disease.
- Using this procedure, some therapeutic measures are carried out: a foreign body is removed, blood vessels are cauterized, tumors and polyps are removed. Drugs are being introduced.
Gastroscopy is a necessary procedure for diseases of the digestive system. It will help diagnose the disease at the initial stage.
When is gastroscopy prescribed
The procedure must be performed with the following symptoms:
- heartburn, belching, difficulty swallowing;
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the abdomen and stomach;
- bloating;
- diarrhea;
- diarrhea;
- "Lazy" stomach.
Gastroscopy should be performed immediately if:
- the pain does not stop for several days;
- there is no appetite, weight is lost;
- hemoglobin falls;
- pain and difficulty swallowing.
The procedure is carried out urgently with:
- vomiting blood;
- constant loose stool;
- weakness and fainting;
- sharp pain in the stomach.
And, of course, gastroscopy is a procedure that should be carried out to prevent diseases of the digestive system by:
- who are more than forty-five years old;
- whose closest relatives had cancer of the stomach and esophagus;
- who have previously been diagnosed with a pre-tumor state.
This examination is performed before the operation.
As you can see, there are a lot of indications for gastroscopy. This type of examination is currently used quite often.
Preparation for inspection
Before you do a gastroscopy, you need to prepare for it. The preparation period lasts three days. In order to get the right results, you need to empty the stomach. Have to stick to a special diet:
- Do not eat: very fatty foods, alcohol.
- Stop smoking.
- Eat often, but in small portions.
- Eliminate gas-causing foods from your diet.
- For those who suffer from bloating, it is recommended to take Mezim and Festal preparations before the examination.
- You should completely abandon: brown bread, legumes, milk and dairy products, fruits, vegetables, carbonated drinks and juices.
Remember: you can eat the last time before the procedure in twelve hours, and drink water in four hours (this applies to an adult). For a child, eating is stopped twelve hours before the examination, and drinking water three hours before the examination.
Gastroscopy is always done on an empty stomach to prevent a gag reflex.
The mechanism of the procedure
As already mentioned above, gastroscopy, reviews also indicate this - the procedure is painless, but unpleasant. Therefore, the first thing a specialist should do is to explain to the patient how everything will happen.
It is no secret that the human body is set to reject all foreign bodies. But at present there is a way that can cope with such a reflex: drugs are used that help reduce the sensitivity of the throat.
After you set up for the examination, you are offered to lie on your left side. Take the end of the gastroscope into your mouth, completely relax, and take a sip. Together with this gulp, without damaging the walls of the stomach, a probe will be inside. Gastroscopy is a procedure aimed at helping a person. And if all the recommendations are followed, the diagnosis will be made correctly, and treatment will be appointed on time. If necessary, a sample of stomach tissue is taken during the examination. After the examination, you can safely go home.
Contraindications
You have already decided on a procedure called “gastroscopy”, where you will do it, you have also decided, there is one more moment left. Like any other examination, this also has contraindications. In no case should you inspect the digestive system in this way if you have:
- Persistent aortic expansion accompanied by thinning of the wall.
- Cerebrovascular accident.
- Impaired coronary circulation.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Severe hypertension.
- Clotting disorder and frequent bleeding.
- Mental disorder.
- Pronounced curvature of the spine.
- Frequent bouts of asthma.
- Gastritis, accompanied by vomiting.
- Esophageal ulcers.
- Varicose veins of the esophagus.
Relative contraindications include:
- Bad feeling.
- Diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
- Hypertensive crisis.
- Old age.
As you can see, before you go to the procedure, you should definitely consult a doctor. Only he will decide whether it suits you or not.
What people say about the procedure
Sometimes you can “get together” for a very long time to decide on a procedure such as gastroscopy. Testimonials from former patients are what will push you to go to the doctor. As they say, everyone has their own opinion.
- Some say that there is nothing wrong with this procedure. The umbrella is pushed very quickly, there is no pain at all. In a word, it all depends on the doctor. If he is competent, then the inspection will go well.
- Some say that it is best to use a special tool, due to which the gag reflex completely disappears.
- There is an opinion that it is not difficult to tolerate a couple of minutes. You can even do without any lidocaine. You feel good after the procedure. A little pinch in the throat, but passes quickly. True, you can’t drink hot for a couple of days.
- There are also such patients who underwent this examination in a dream. You see and feel nothing. You wake up only when you pull out the stopper for closing the jaw.
Conclusion
Suppose you decide to resort to an examination. It remains to resolve one issue. Where to do gastroscopy? Be sure to pay attention to the equipment. An important issue is the staff. Well and, of course, competent and qualified specialists is one of the most important conditions in the search for a clinic for examination.
Feedback from former patients can help you. After reading them, you can find out where gastroscopy is performed in Moscow. There are many such clinics, and you should choose one, at your discretion, the best.