How is the gastroscopy procedure performed? How often is it possible to do a gastroscopy What tests should be done

Conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (its upper section), since this procedure allows you to visually assess the presence of damage to the gastric mucosa, the presence of polyps, erosions, ulcers, bleeding and other pathologies of the walls of the stomach and duodenum. Many patients are interested in the question of how safe this, in general, unpleasant procedure is, and how often gastroscopy can be done in the presence of various pathologies of the digestive tract.

The frequency of gastroscopy is determined by the attending physician.

However, this study is prescribed for many other diseases. For example, cardiovascular: before coronography, an endovascular cardiologist must make sure that there is no. Otherwise, the operation will be postponed, since the patient must take strong antithrombotic drugs on the eve of the operation, which thin the blood and promote bleeding.

Indications for the appointment of gastroscopy

Such general symptoms as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting do not always indicate the presence of diseases of the digestive tract, but if the patient complains, he will most likely be prescribed a series of studies that should confirm or refute suspicions of gastritis, duodenitis or other gastric pathologies.

Among other indications for the appointment of gastroscopy, the following should be noted:

suspicion of the presence of malignant neoplasms in the stomach / esophagus;
the need for constant monitoring of the state of the epithelium of the stomach in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
symptoms of stomach bleeding;
when a foreign object enters the stomach;
if the patient often experiences pain in the epigastric region;
Difficulties experienced by the patient when eating;
to clarify the diagnosis in a number of diseases that are not related to the pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

Deciphering the results

The uninitiated will certainly not be able to interpret the resulting images, since the resulting image will rather resemble some kind of fantastic landscape. But an experienced doctor is able to make an accurate diagnosis, guided by the method of comparison with the mucosa without pathologies.

It looks like this:

the color of the mucosa ranges from red to pale pink;
even with an empty stomach, there is always a little mucus on the surface of the walls;
the front wall looks smooth and shiny, and the back wall is covered with folds.

With gastritis, ulcers, stomach cancer, deviations from the norm appear, which neither X-ray nor ultrasound can fix. But gastroscopy will definitely reveal them: with gastritis, an increased amount of mucus, swelling and redness of the epithelium will testify to the disease, local minor hemorrhages are possible. With an ulcer, the surface of the walls is covered with red spots, the edges of which have a whitish coating, indicating the presence of pus. With stomach cancer, the back wall of the stomach is smoothed, and the color of the mucosa changes to light gray.

How often can a gastroscopy be done

In life, there are often situations when we do not attach importance to certain symptoms indicating the presence of a pathology, and when a diagnosis is made, we begin to intensively look for ways to get rid of it, undergoing consultations and examinations with various specialists. In the case of gastritis, no doctor will take up treatment without receiving accurate information about the condition of the mucosa. And there are often cases when, after undergoing a gastroscopy, a new specialist can refer the patient for a second examination to make sure that no significant changes have occurred since then. Therefore, many patients are interested in how long it takes to re-do gastroscopy.

In principle, in the absence of contraindications, the number of such manipulations is not limited, but in practice they try not to prescribe a study more than once a month - this is exactly the expiration date of the results of the previous study. In the chronic course of the disease, in order to prevent complications (peptic ulcer, oncology), this study is prescribed 2-3 times a year. In the process of treating gastritis, if the real effect of drug therapy does not coincide with the expected one, gastroscopy can be performed more often.

Conclusion

FGDS is a generally safe procedure, although quite unpleasant. Complications in this case are extremely rare: minor damage to the walls of the esophagus / stomach, infection, an allergic reaction to medications. Sometimes after the procedure there are painful sensations in the throat, which disappear after 2-3 days. How many times you can do a gastroscopy over a certain period of time - the attending physician decides. If necessary, the procedure is performed with the frequency that is necessary for the successful treatment of pathology.

How often can FGDS be done - fibrogastroduodenoscopy? Perhaps, in patients with diseases of the stomach, this question is in second place, after the question of how to transfer this procedure with minimal comfort. It is immediately worth noting that gastroscopy is not prescribed without a serious reason, so you need to consider when this study is necessary, and when it is better to refrain from conducting it.

Gastroscopy is conditionally divided into the following types:

diagnostic;
medical;
preventive.

Diagnostic

To clarify the diagnosis of gastric disease, FGS (fibrogastroscopy) is one of the most reliable methods of examination.

The indications for this procedure will be:

pain in the epigastrium;
difficulty in swallowing;
feeling of discomfort in the esophagus or stomach;
heartburn;
nausea and vomiting;
suspected gastric bleeding;
causeless loss of appetite and sudden weight loss;
control of treatment of gastric diseases.

Adults and children over 6 years of age in the presence of the above indications need to undergo EGD to clarify the diagnosis. In early childhood (up to 6 years), gastroscopy is performed only when the pathology cannot be detected by other diagnostic methods.

Therapeutic

As a rule, for therapeutic purposes, this procedure is prescribed again after the diagnosis is clarified, if necessary:

removal of polyps;
irrigation of the gastric wall with a drug;
local treatment of ulcers.

In this case, how often FGS should be done is determined by the doctor - based on the characteristics of the disease and the general health of the patient.

Preventive

In case of stomach diseases in the stage of stable remission, patients are recommended to undergo fibrogastroscopy to clarify the diagnosis and timely detection of pathological changes.

As a preventive measure, it is recommended to perform FGS for women planning a pregnancy. This need is justified by the fact that during the bearing of a child, there are almost always problems with the digestive system. If a woman has done a gastroscopy in advance to clarify the condition of the stomach, then at an early stage, during toxicosis, it will be easier for the doctor to choose effective and safe drugs for the child that can alleviate toxic manifestations.

Thus, the frequency of the study depends on the goal to be achieved - to diagnose a pathology, to carry out therapeutic measures or a preventive examination.

Study Frequency

How often can a gastroscopy be done? Only the attending physician can answer this question, because the frequency of examinations depends on the characteristics of the disease.

It could be:

Single examination for suspected gastric disorders. If the pathology of the stomach is not detected, then there is no need for subsequent FGS.
Several times during the course of treatment. In some cases, fibrogastroscopy is prescribed with a short interval of time during the treatment. This is necessary to clarify the effectiveness of the therapy. And also in case of illness, irrigation of sections of the gastric wall with a drug and other medical manipulations can be carried out.
Once a year for uncomplicated diseases of the stomach for the timely detection of possible deterioration in the early stages.
In addition, 2-4 times a year, if there is a predisposition to peptic ulcer or if a tumor of the stomach or duodenum was surgically removed.

Fibrogastroscopy is a relatively safe and informative way to obtain information about the state of the upper digestive tract. Of course, the procedure itself is quite unpleasant and many patients try to avoid it, but in vain: it is not recommended to neglect the prescribed examination, because it is better to detect pathology at an early stage in time than to treat advanced forms of the disease for a long time.

It is worth remembering that doctors prescribe this examination, which is unpleasant for the patient, only if there is a need for it, how many times the doctor recommends to go through the procedure, the FGS should be done as many times.

Conditions in which it is better to refuse gastroscopy

When an examination is prescribed by a doctor to clarify the diagnosis or to control the ongoing treatment, the doctor always conducts a complete examination of the patient and identifies all contraindications.

But for a preventive study, it is now not necessary to take a referral from a gastroenterologist, this procedure can be done for a fee in a clinic that a person trusts more.

But since the last EGD, a person’s general health could have worsened, so before you go for the next scheduled examination, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications:

hypertension with frequent crises;
condition after a stroke;
recent heart attack;
heart disease associated with rhythm disturbance;
blood diseases;
stenosis of the esophagus.

This is considered an absolute contraindication, and if such diseases have appeared since the last examination, it is better to consult a doctor. Perhaps the doctor will suggest that instead of gastroscopy, an ultrasound (ultrasound examination) or x-ray be performed to determine gastric pathology.

For a while, it is recommended to postpone a routine examination for infections of the upper respiratory tract. This is due to the fact that during fibrogastroscopy, the patient needs to breathe through the nose, and with respiratory infections, nasal breathing can be very difficult. In addition, with the introduction of a gastroscope, it is possible to introduce pathogenic pathogens from the nasopharynx into the esophagus or stomach. It is necessary to first cure infectious diseases, and only then undergo FGDS.

How often is EGD allowed? Gastroenterologists say that modern gastroscopic equipment is less traumatic and this type of research can be carried out almost daily. Therefore, if the doctor sends for examination after a short period of treatment, then you should not refuse, but rather endure this unpleasant procedure.

Gastroscopy procedure is a diagnostic method often used in medical practice that allows you to detect diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the human body. In addition, using a method such as fibrogastroduodenoscopy, it is possible to successfully treat ulcerative bleeding, and, if necessary, remove gastric polyps.

The gastroscopy procedure itself is prescribed in such cases:

Pain that occurs in the epigastric region, which may be related to meal times
cases where there is frequent heartburn
cases where there is frequent eructation, which has a sour taste
cases where both nausea and vomiting are common.
cases where vomiting is noted, in which there is an admixture of blood.
cases when there is vomiting of the food that was taken the day before.
cases when heaviness in the stomach is constantly noted after eating food.

In addition, gastroscopy is used:

In cases where there is a suspicion of diseases associated with the esophagus. Among them are esophagitis, GERD, esophageal stenosis or cancer.

In cases where there is a suspicion of diseases associated with the stomach. These are different types of gastritis, cancer or stomach ulcers, as well as complications associated with these diseases.

In cases where there is a suspicion of diseases associated with the duodenum. This is cancer or an ulcer, as well as complications associated with these diseases.

The most important method for diagnosing cancer of all the above-mentioned gastrointestinal organs is considered a biopsy. During it, dubious pieces of tissue of the digestive tract are selected for the purpose of their subsequent study using a microscope. In the event that there is a suspicion that the patient has a peptic ulcer, as a rule, during the FGDS, a mucosal specialist will take a scraping. After that, using special methods, this material will be examined by specialists for Helicobacter pylori, which is the causative agent of peptic ulcer.

About conducting a gastroscopy, a specialist will be able to help solve problems such as:

Stop bleeding in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.
performing endoscopic bougienage of the esophagus. It is performed if the patient has a stenosis of the esophagus, formed due to a burn of the esophagus with any chemical substances.
removal of polyps of the stomach, which, if left untreated, can lead to stomach cancer in the patient.
stop ulcer bleeding.
the implementation of the application of medicines exactly at the site of injury.

How is the gastroscopy procedure performed?

First of all, this procedure must be carried out in a medical institution, in rooms specially equipped for this under the guidance of a specialist doctor. The patient at this point should lie on the left side. As you know, during gastroscopy, the patient may experience discomfort. In order to reduce them somewhat, the doctor will treat the patient's throat with a spray of lidocaine. Then the patient must clamp a special muff with his teeth. It is through it that the endoscope will be inserted. Further, the patient makes his movement, in fact, on his own, taking a sip. Often at the time of the procedure, patients experience severe vomiting. The patient is advised to calm down, try to breathe deeper.

The positive outcome of the procedure largely depends on how positive the patient is and how he cooperates with the doctor at this moment.

Gastroscopy is the most accurate method for diagnosing diseases of the digestive organs located in the upper gastrointestinal tract. It allows you to detect at an early stage even such a dangerous disease as cancer. It is necessary to perform such manipulation only in a special office as prescribed by a doctor. How dangerous is this, and how often can a gastroscopy be done? Quite natural questions for a person who will have such a procedure. We will answer them.

When is a gastroscopy done?

Gastroscopy - a study of the esophagus, stomach, and sometimes the duodenum with a special device. The gastroscope is a device consisting of a long and flexible hose, equipped with a fiber optic camera at the end. It sends the image to the monitor. Analyzing the picture taken, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment. The flexible device allows you not to miss a single site during the study.

Indications for gastroscopy are:

suspected cancer in the esophagus or stomach;
signs of stomach bleeding;
monitoring during the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract;
frequent vomiting and nausea;
difficulty eating.

The procedure can be prescribed to an adult or a child if he has frequent or persistent stomach pain.

There are many contraindications to the study, some of them are absolute. It:

heart pathology;
severe obesity;
narrowing of the entrance to the stomach;
scoliosis or kyphosis of a high degree;
ever had a heart attack or stroke;
blood diseases.

In some cases, the procedure is performed at the discretion of the doctor:

age up to 6 years;
severe mental disorders;
ulcer or chronic gastritis in the acute stage;
respiratory tract infection.

Gastroscopy of the stomach must be done necessarily if severe bleeding has begun or a foreign object has got inside.

How is the procedure carried out?

Any season is suitable for research, no matter summer or winter, nothing depends on it.

2 hours before the examination, drink purified water or weak tea to further cleanse the walls of the stomach.

On the day of the procedure, you should not smoke so that mucus and gastric juice do not stand out.

How is a gastroscopy done? The procedure is done in the morning after a little preparation:

inject a mild sedative under the skin;
the root of the tongue and the esophagus are irrigated with an anesthetic solution.

It is very important that the person is calm during the examination. Nervous tension, anxiety, fear can provoke sudden movements and damage to the esophagus or stomach.

After some time (usually 20-30 minutes), manipulation begins:

The person being examined must remove clothing from the torso and jewelry. Glasses and dentures are also removed.
The procedure cannot be performed while sitting, the patient lies on the couch on his left side and straightens his back. In this position, you must be all the time so as not to disrupt the ongoing process.
The patient must firmly clamp the mouthpiece in his teeth. It will prevent you from squeezing them reflexively.
The doctor asks to take a sip and relax the muscles of the larynx. At this point, he quickly inserts the endoscope and begins to lower it.
After that, the specialist begins to turn the device, studying the state of the cavities. In order to explore the entire surface, air is introduced into the stomach.

How long does the procedure take? If gastroscopy is necessary for diagnosis, it lasts no more than 15 minutes. It takes a little more time, about 30-40 minutes, to take biopsy material and perform therapeutic manipulations. After manipulation, you need to be in a horizontal position for about two hours under the supervision of medical personnel. You can eat after 3-4 hours.

In some cases, gastroscopy can only be done under anesthesia. This is required when examining children under 6 years of age and persons with severe mental disorders.

The decoding of the study is based on a comparison of the obtained image with the normal state of the mucosa.

In a healthy person, everything looks like this:

color varies from light pink to red;
the back wall of an empty stomach is formed by folds,
the anterior wall is even and shiny;
small amount of mucus on the surface.

Any pathology (cancer, gastritis) causes changes that can only be seen with a gastroscope. X-ray does not reveal them.

With gastritis, the walls of the stomach swell and turn red, the amount of mucus increases, and small hemorrhages are possible. The ulcer stands out against the background of the mucosa with red protruding edges, covered with pus or white bloom.

Cancer gives a different picture: the folds of the stomach are smoothed out, the mucous membrane becomes whitish or grayish.

How often can you do it?

People suffering from diseases of the digestive tract are often interested in how many times a year gastroscopy can be done. The frequency of the procedure is determined by the attending physician.

Many doubt whether it is necessary to do a gastroscopy at all, because there are other diagnostic methods: x-rays and ultrasound. These methods provide much less information and do not give a complete picture of the state of the mucosa.

What are the risks?

When performing an examination with a gastroscope, complications are very rare. Most often they occur due to the fault of the patient, who does not follow the instructions of the doctor, or due to anatomical features. Medical errors are extremely rare.

What harm can the study cause:

skin rashes with drug intolerance;
minor bleeding due to microtrauma of the esophagus or intestines;
gastroscope puncture;
infection.

Sometimes after the procedure, vomiting begins, the throat may hurt. Discomfort in most cases disappears after 2-3 days.

Gastroscopy is a safe and informative method for examining the upper digestive tract. Perform it according to the testimony of a doctor with the frequency that is necessary, in his opinion.

There are a great many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and they all have similar symptoms: pain, discomfort, nausea. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to "look inside" the gastrointestinal tract using modern research methods.

This is an endoscopic method for examining the gastric mucosa using a special apparatus - a gastroscope.

The device is a hollow long tube of small diameter, one end of which is equipped with a video camera and a light bulb (this part of the tube is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus and lowered into the patient's stomach), and the other end of the tube is connected to a computer, on the monitor of which an image of what "sees" is displayed. »device from inside the gastrointestinal tract.

Also, the gastroscope has special holes through which the doctor can insert instruments for biopsy or other surgical procedures. Due to this, the procedure allows you to combine not only diagnostics, but also therapeutic functions.

Why do a gastroscopy

The procedure is prescribed for all patients with:

non-specific complaints from the gastrointestinal tract (pain, nausea, vomiting, discomfort in the epigastric region, metallic taste in the mouth, heartburn, belching);
suspicion of oncopathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
stomach polyps;
exacerbation of chronic gastrointestinal problems;
unmotivated weight loss;
a decrease in hemoglobin and erythrocytes in the general blood test, which is difficult to correct with iron-containing drugs.

These indications are planned: the procedure is prescribed for a certain day, the patient is preparing for manipulation.

There are also emergency indications, they characterize dangerous, sometimes life-threatening conditions in which the patient urgently needs to examine the gastric mucosa or perform medical manipulations. Urgent gastroscopy is performed when:

perforated ulcer;
bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract;
entry of foreign objects into the gastrointestinal tract.

What does a gastroscopy of the stomach show and how is it performed?

The camera at the end of the endoscopic device, getting through the esophagus into the stomach, allows you to visualize its inner wall, mucous membrane, defects and outgrowths on it, the contents of the organ: mucus, bile, blood.

The procedure can be carried out as planned, with the preparation of the patient, as well as urgently - in case of serious life-threatening conditions.

The patient is placed on the left side, placing a roller under the head. The oropharynx is treated with a lidocaine spray to reduce the gag reflex. Wait a few minutes before the "freeze" effect occurs.

A mouthpiece is inserted into the patient's mouth to prevent jaws from closing during the procedure. The end of the device with a video camera at the end is placed on the root of the tongue and the patient is asked to make swallowing movements. Gently with minimal pressure, the doctor advances the device through the esophagus, reaching the gastric cavity.

Turning the endoscope, the doctor examines the mucous membrane, cardiac, pyloric, fundus of the stomach. If there is evidence, a biopsy can be taken through the probe - a piece of mucous membrane that aroused the doctor's suspicions. The picture that the endoscope "sees" is displayed on the monitor screen, allowing the doctor and assistants to examine the gastric walls in detail.

How long does the procedure take

The time of the manipulation depends on several factors:

presence / absence of problems with the gastrointestinal tract

If the picture that the doctor sees does not arouse his suspicions and does not force him to study the inner shell in more detail, the procedure will be faster. If there are no stomach problems, the insertion and removal of the probe may take 5-7 minutes

If there are areas inside the gastrointestinal tract that are subject to a deeper visual study, or a biopsy or surgical manipulations are required, then gastroscopy can take 15-30 minutes.

doctor's professionalism
the patient's mood and willingness to follow the doctor's instructions

If the patient is calm and balanced, listens to the commands of the medical staff and follows the instructions, breathes correctly during the procedure, does not interfere with the doctor's extraneous actions, the speed of the study increases significantly.

“Swallowing a pipe” is not a pleasant procedure, but it would not be fair to call it painful. It hurts - no. Unpleasant - yes. Usually, patients are afraid of the very fact that a foreign body, an endoscope, will be inserted into the esophagus.

To reduce the degree of discomfort during manipulation, a positive attitude, calmness and trust in the doctor are important.

How to pass a gastroscopy painlessly

It is necessary to be aware of the course of the procedure, not to be embarrassed when, when the tube is advanced, belching and salivation will reflexively occur (these are physiological reactions of the body that should not be shy), try to relax.

If your knees are shaking with fear, you can’t set yourself up for research, you can do the procedure under anesthesia. An anesthetic is injected into the vein, from which the patient falls asleep. After the gastroscopy is performed and the probe is removed, the patient is woken up. No memory of the manipulation remains in his memory.

How to breathe correctly during gastroscopy

Before inserting the probe into the esophagus, the doctor will ask you to take several deep breaths and exhalations, after the next breath, the device is installed to the root of the tongue, and on exhalation, a swallowing movement should be made. After that, the device slips inside. The patient's task is to continue to breathe calmly through the mouth, take a slow breath, and then exhale.

If the patient has breathing problems due to excitement, discomfort, then the nearby nurse will surely calm and tell you how to breathe correctly. You need not to panic. It is impossible to suffocate during this study, because the airways, nasopharynx and trachea are absolutely free.

How often can and should I do a gastroscopy

For patients with chronic gastric diseases without exacerbations, doctors recommend doing an endoscopic examination at least once a year. This is necessary to control the dynamics of the disease, monitoring allows you to monitor whether there are any deterioration in health, and if they are detected in a timely manner, they can be eliminated by therapy.

With the progression of the disease, exacerbation of chronic processes, gastroscopy is prescribed more often, on the recommendation of the attending physician. Often, the procedure is prescribed to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. There are no restrictions on the manipulation, provided that it was performed without complications.

Contraindications

This diagnostic method has its contraindications. It is not indicated if the patient has:

a recent heart attack or stroke;
severe renal or hepatic insufficiency;
acute infectious diseases;
acute psychotic disorder;
disruption of the rhythm;
cachexia;
extreme obesity (in some cases);
hemophilia.

For emergency manipulation, gastroscopy can be done with a cold. If suddenly the disease happened at the time of the scheduled appointment, it is better to postpone the endoscopy until the moment of recovery.

The fact is that most often with colds, the infection is localized in the nasopharynx and larynx. There is a high probability, together with the endoscopic tube, which will move along the infected oral cavity, pharynx, to “bring” the infection into the stomach.

Edematous nasal mucosa, congestion or discharge from the nose will make breathing difficult, coughing will also interfere with the procedure, cause discomfort to the patient and complicate the work of the doctor.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, you can do a gastroscopy. Endoscopic examination of a pregnant woman is indicated for suspected intragastric bleeding, developing oncological processes of the gastrointestinal tract, exacerbation of existing chronic diseases.

It is safest to conduct research in the first, early second trimesters.

Critical days

Menstruation is not a contraindication for this study. You can do a gastroscopy during menstruation. In some women, in the first days of menstruation, the general state of health deteriorates sharply: they are worried about pain in the lower abdomen, severe weakness, irritability.

If the patient has these symptoms in the first days of the cycle, and it is during this period that the planned endoscopy falls, then it is better to postpone the study.

But if menstruation does not affect the physical condition of a woman in any way, then the diagnosis of the stomach should not be canceled.

Teeth cleaning

It is not recommended to brush your teeth on the day of the examination. When toothpaste enters the stomach, the production of hydrochloric acid and gastric juice begins. The accumulated secrets in the cavity of the organ can interfere with the visualization of the internal walls by the device.

Do's and don'ts before and after gastroscopy

Before the procedure:

you can not eat, drink 2-3 hours before the study
brush your teeth
smoke
take medication

If the procedure was carried out without the use of intravenous anesthesia using only the treatment of the pharynx with lidocaine, then it is allowed to eat and drink immediately after the “freeze” subsides - the sensitivity of the mucosa is restored - 10-15 minutes after the study.

If intravenous anesthesia was used, the patient should be under the supervision of medical personnel for 1-2 hours after the examination. You must not drive for 12 hours.

During the day from the moment of the examination, it is undesirable to drink alcoholic beverages.

Preparing the patient for the gastroscopy procedure

In order for the study to be informative, successful and there were no complications during its conduct, the patient is required to strictly follow the simple rules of preparation for it.

Prepare for gastroscopy should be at home:

2-3 days before the planned procedure, you should not eat chocolate, nuts;
The last meal should be no later than 12 hours before the study. If gastroscopy is scheduled from the morning of the next day, then a light dinner is allowed at 18.00 - boiled meat, oatmeal;
After dinner at 18.00 food can not be taken. You can drink water in the evening. It should be remembered that milk is not a liquid, but food, so a glass of milk the night before the procedure is not allowed;
On the morning of the endoscopy, it is strictly forbidden to eat, drink and brush your teeth, as well as use chewing gum;
It is not recommended to smoke on the eve of the study.

Even a small amount of water, toothpaste that got into the stomach on the eve of the study, components of tobacco smoke can provoke excessive separation of mucus, hydrochloric acid, thereby distorting the data obtained.

Eating before the procedure is fraught with the opening of vomiting right during gastroscopy. This is very dangerous due to the ingress of vomit into the respiratory tract and their aspiration.

How to prepare for gastroscopy of the stomach with a biopsy

Whether a biopsy is performed during an endoscopic examination or not does not at all affect the preparation for the patient's examination.

A biopsy means taking a piece of the gastric mucosa from an area that a doctor suspects: an inflamed focus, the edge of an ulcer or erosion, for microscopic, bacteriological, cytological examination.

Preparation for endoscopy with biopsy is exactly the same as described above.

Preparation for gastroscopy in the morning and in the afternoon

The main rule of preparation for the procedure: do not eat for 12 hours and do not drink for 4 hours before the examination.

It must be observed regardless of the time for which the study is scheduled. You can wait long periods without food and drink, but you can’t do shorter ones.

If the examination is scheduled in the morning at 9.00, then it is advisable to have the last meal no later than 18.00, if the patient calmly tolerates the state of hunger, or no later than 20.00, if he is used to having dinner late. Food should be light.

If the examination is scheduled in the afternoon, then the last meal (light dinner) can be done at 22.00, but do not eat in the morning. In the morning you can drink water, but no later than 4 hours before the start of the procedure.

What you can not and what you can eat before a gastroscopy of the stomach

For a few days, it is desirable to exclude nuts, smoked meats, chocolate, fried and fatty foods, legumes, cabbage, fresh vegetables and fruits, and other foods that cause increased gas formation. You can't drink carbonated drinks.

It is not advisable to drink alcoholic beverages 2-3 days before the study and it is strictly contraindicated to take the day before.

It should be remembered that milkshakes and pure milk are not a drink, but a complete meal. And a glass of milk drunk 4-8 hours before the study is equated to a meal, which means it is also contraindicated.

How long after a gastroscopy can I eat

If local anesthesia of the pharynx with lidocaine was used during gastroscopy, then you can eat as soon as the sensitive receptors of the tongue and pharynx are restored, and the medicine ceases to act - 10-15 minutes after the end of the manipulation.

If intravenous anesthesia was performed, 1.5-2 hours after regaining consciousness, provided that no complications occurred during the study.

You should not eat hot, spicy food that can irritate the mucous membrane, especially if it was mechanically irritated - a biopsy.

Food should be easily digestible, preferably warm. Mucous cereals, cottage cheese, dairy products, boiled chicken, mashed potatoes are quite acceptable as a meal.

Diagnosis and examination of the stomach without gastroscopy

This method of diagnosing the gastric mucosa is the most informative to date, it allows you to visualize macroscopically the inner wall of the organ, as well as take material for a more detailed study and accurate diagnosis.

There are other examination methods that supplement or partially replace endoscopic:

Ultrasound of the stomach
radiography
CT, MRI

These methods can only partially replace endoscopic examination, because neither ultrasound, nor X-ray, nor MRI allows you to take a biopsy and confirm the diagnosis at the cellular level.

How to determine the acidity of the stomach during gastroscopy

The endoscopic method can reliably determine the level of acidity of gastric contents.

If it is not possible to make a gastroscopy, we can assume increased acidity in the clinic: the patient will complain of heartburn, sour belching, metallic taste in the mouth.

Another way to determine the pH is acidotest: the patient drinks a special drug, from which, when interacting with gastric juice, a dye is released, after which it is excreted in the urine. The color of the urine determines the gastric pH.

What is the difference between gastroscopy and endoscopy

This is a special case of endoscopic examination. It is not correct to consider that these are different concepts.

The initial sections of the gastrointestinal tract include the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. If only the stomach is examined endoscopically, the manipulation is called gastroscopy, if the duodenum is examined, duodenoscopy, if all the initial sections, including the esophagus, are called esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

All manipulations are carried out using a flexible probe and are varieties of endoscopy.

Which is better - MRI or gastroscopy

Each of the methods has its own advantages and disadvantages.

MRI is a painless procedure that perfectly visualizes tumor-like processes in the abdominal cavity, metastases, the state of the organ and tissues. However, during the procedure, it is impossible to take a biopsy of the mucosa for a more detailed cellular study.

Fibrogastroscopy and gastroscopy - what is the difference

The prefix fibro- indicates that the study is carried out with a flexible probe. Previously, manipulation could be carried out with simpler equipment, but today all clinics and hospitals are equipped with modern devices for this procedure.

Ultrasound of the stomach or gastroscopy

A more informative method from a diagnostic point of view in gastric pathology is gastroscopy.

With contraindications to it, the impossibility of conducting, complementary methods are used, one of which is ultrasound.

Ultrasound for gastric diseases is rarely prescribed today. Not all diseases can be visualized sonographically, and it is also impossible to assess the condition of the mucosa with a biopsy - these nuances limit the doctor's appointment of this procedure.