FGDS is considered one of the most highly informative and useful research methods, even compared to methods that are not invasively performed, for example, CT or MRI. Fibrogastroduodenoscopy involves the introduction of an endoscope into the human body and therefore requires the advance preparation of the gastrointestinal tract before the procedure, in connection with this, the question often arises in people: “How many hours should I not eat before FGDS?”.
Types of Endoscopy
Based on the purpose of the study, 2 types of FGS are distinguished:
- a study involving an assessment of the structure of the stomach;
- a study that involves checking the initial part of the small intestine and stomach.
These methods do not differ in research methods and principles of preparation for them. The study is carried out using an endoscope equipped with a camera, conducting the survey. An elastic tube or hose is placed in the oral cavity, and gradually it is carried to the organs. The image captured by the camera is projected onto the monitor. According to her, the doctor and evaluate the internal organs.
This type of examination is carried out in order to diagnose pathologies of the digestive tract. And they conduct it only after complaints from patients who cause the doctor to suspect a pathology.
How to prepare for the procedure?
Preparation for this event is divided into two stages. The first is carried out at home independently, and the second - by a doctor. So, the first point concerns mainly the patient’s nutrition: how not to eat and how many hours you can’t eat and drink before FGDS. In order for the result of the examination to be the most adequate and informative, it is necessary to study and observe all the rules of conduct before endoscopic examination.
The second stage is carried out directly by the doctor and consists in treating the oral cavity with a special anesthetic in the form of an aerosol to provide easier and deeper penetration of the gastroscope. In addition, the patient is required to grab the plastic insert and, in the deep inhalation phase, swallow the tube into the esophagus.
In what cases is endoscopy prescribed?
The endoscopy procedure can be prescribed by doctors for several main reasons:
- pain in the stomach;
- constant vomiting and the occurrence of vomiting;
- burning sensation in the upper abdomen;
- a feeling of pain and discomfort during food processing (dyspepsia);
- suspicion of the formation of ulcerative lesions or gastritis;
- monitoring the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment in the early diagnosis of pathologies.
Principles of nutrition before FGDS
Endoscopy of the stomach is usually a pre-prescribed procedure and the patient has time to thoroughly prepare for it. This is necessary in order to get the most effective result and for the doctor to be able to evaluate the digestive organs and analyze all the data obtained.
The main question that worries before its holding: "How many hours can not be eaten before gastric fibrosis?" All tips are mainly about adjusting your meal intake. Five days before the start of the procedure, it is recommended to limit the intake of difficultly processed food. The digestive system should not be overloaded. You also need to change the frequency of meals, you need to eat in small portions and reduce the interval to three to four hours.
What is not worth consuming?
There is a list of products that you should completely abandon:
- sauces containing a lot of fat and mayonnaise;
- spicy pickled food;
- pickles (cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes);
- meat containing a lot of fat (pork, lamb, poultry);
- flour products;
- mushrooms;
- dairy products, except for cottage cheese and yogurt;
- legumes;
- smoked meats;
- nuts
- drinks with gas and juice that contains pulp;
- dried fruits;
- sunflower seeds.
Separately, it should be said about alcoholic beverages, the use of which is strictly prohibited. It is also necessary to limit the intake of sweets (especially chocolate), sausages, pasta, fresh vegetables, fruits and coffee.
As for cooking, experts strongly do not recommend processing foods by frying. You should give preference to such cooking methods as cooking, baking in the oven, steaming, cooking in a slow cooker. It is better to bake food by first wrapping it in foil.
What is worth eating?
Having removed many products from your menu, the balance may be disturbed and, in order to avoid this, you need to introduce the following products into the diet:
- lean meat;
- diet fish;
- porridge (without milk);
- vegetables (boiled or stewed);
- gas-free water;
What should be done before the procedure?
In anticipation of FGDS, you need to focus on your menu and, before asking yourself the question: “How many hours can you eat before FGDS?”, You need to start adhering to the above diet regimen several days before the procedure. However, before the examination, you need to eat only simple food all day.
Endoscopy is performed in the morning or in the afternoon. If it is carried out in the morning, then the answer to the question: "How many hours can not be eaten before FGDS in the morning?" it will be like this: meals should be stopped at seven in the evening of the previous day. And the food eaten for dinner should be easily digested by the body. Eating is allowed no more than 350 gr.
If the examination is after lunch, then the answer to the question: "How many hours can not be eaten before FGDS in the afternoon?" will be as follows: you can not eat 12 hours before the procedure. It is during this period that the stomach will be able to digest food. This is a prerequisite, otherwise not processed food will interfere with a detailed examination of the mucous membrane, and vomiting may also occur.
Fluid intake
In addition, for how many hours you can’t eat before FGDS, patients have another problem, they are interested in how many hours before the examination you can’t drink. This process must also be monitored, you must adhere to the following guidelines:
- the fluid consumed on an empty stomach should not exceed a volume of 300 ml. Otherwise, there is the likelihood of increased vomiting during the study period;
- drink should be still water or pre-boiled. You can not drink tea, juice, coffee and so on, since these drinks provoke the production of nipples of the stomach, and this is unacceptable and can interfere with endoscopy;
- an hour and a half should stop taking fluid; the minimum amount of water should be no more than 200 ml.
If all the necessary conditions are met, then the procedure will go well and without unpleasant surprises.
General recommendations
To the general tips regarding the menu, one can add that doctors strongly advise against smoking. This is due to the fact that nicotine, which enters the human body, contributes to the development of gastric juice, which, in turn, interferes with the preparation of the gastrointestinal tract for examination. In addition, you should not do it in the morning without having to take medications. This rule does not apply only to medicines that are vital and are taken strictly by prescription. The presence of such prescriptions must be warned by the doctor who will conduct the endoscopy.
If the patient has signs of catarrhal diseases, then FGDS is postponed until they are completely eliminated. Symptoms that can also interfere with the study include a runny nose or throat infection, as they make breathing difficult.
The consequences of endoscopy
From the consequences arising after the passage of FGDS, one can note the appearance of discomfort in the throat and in the esophagus. Inhibition of the swallowing reflex and a decrease in linguistic sensibility are also observed, since the oral cavity is treated with an anesthetic.
However, if all the rules for preparing for the procedure, painful sensations can be avoided. It is also important that it is absolutely safe if it is carried out by a good specialist and as a result all the necessary information will be obtained for making a diagnosis and choosing a course of drugs.
After how much time can I eat?
In addition, for how many hours you can’t eat before FGDS in the first or in the afternoon, patients are also worried about how much you can eat after the procedure. You can eat after one hour, but you should not eat heavy food immediately. Food should be:
For example, it can be cottage cheese, oatmeal, semolina or yogurt. There is also an upper limit: you need to eat no later than three hours after the procedure. This is due to the fact that the stomach needs to be returned to normal work after experiencing stress.
Unpleasant consequences should not occur if the procedure was carried out in accordance with all the rules and appropriate measures were taken, that is, the patient knew how many hours you should not eat before FGDS. It should be borne in mind that the presence of urges to vomit and copious saliva is the norm, although it may not look beautiful from the outside.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that fibrogastroduodenoscopy is one of the most highly informative and useful procedures conducted to identify gastrointestinal pathologies. Before it begins, you should find out from the doctor how many hours you can’t eat before FGDS in the first half of the day, if it is planned for the morning, and how much in the second half of the day if the procedure is in the afternoon. Just following all the instructions and advice without exception, you will be able to get a result that allows you to prescribe an effective and proper treatment.