Gastroscopy as the Most Effective Method for Stomach Research

Many people with stomach problems until the last postpone visit to the doctor, fearing gastroscopy. As a rule, such people have an erroneous idea of this procedure after they have listened to frightening stories from their acquaintances. Of course, pleasant gastroscopy is difficult to call, but there is nothing wrong with it either. Moreover, modern equipment and technologies made this procedure almost painless and safe. Moreover, gastroscopy can be performed under local anesthesia, so you will not feel anything during the study.

What is a gastroscopy?

So, what is a gastroscopy? The term "gastroscopy" comes from the Latin word "gaster" and the Greek "skopeo", which are translated as "stomach" and "treated", respectively. Thus, gastroscopy is a method of endoscopic examination of the gastric mucosa, which is performed with the help of a special instrument - the gastroscope. In medicine, there is also a term such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (abbreviated EGDS), which is an examination of the mucosa of the esophagus and duodenum.

For the first time this method of research was applied in practice in 1868 by German therapist Adolf Kussmaul. Since then, the device for gastroscopy has become more and more perfect, and in 1957 a gastro-scope with a controlled bend was invented, which made possible a panoramic examination of the mucous membrane. A modern gastroscope is a thin and long flexible tube with a lens at the end.

Possibilities of gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is the most effective method of examining the gastric mucosa, esophagus and duodenum, which allows a detailed study of the mucosa of these organs. With the help of gastroscopy, you can:

• Identify various changes on the surface of the stomach that are not distinguishable on radiographic shots
• Establish the cause of internal bleeding
• To diagnose tumor neoplasms
• Observe the healing process of peptic ulcer

The main indications for gastroscopy:

• Various diseases of the stomach (gastritis, ulcer, polyps, malignant tumor)
• Gastric bleeding
• Symptoms of stomach pathology in the absence of signs of disease on radiographic shots
• Other diseases in which it is necessary to assess the condition of the gastric mucosa

At the same time, there are some contraindications to gastroscopy , including heart failure, early heart attack or stroke, atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysm, narrowing of the esophagus, kyphosis, scoliosis and some other diseases.

How is gastroscopy performed?

Gastroscopy of the stomach is carried out by endoscopists in specially equipped rooms. The study is performed on an empty stomach in the morning, while the patient should exclude food for 8 hours before the test. Half an hour before the gastroscopy, the patient is administered a sedative and anesthetizes the pharynx and the upper part of the esophagus. In rare cases, general anesthesia is used.

After carrying out the preparatory work, the patient is laid on the left side, while his back should remain straight. A gastroscopy is inserted through the oral cavity into the esophagus and stomach of the patient. In order to avoid a vomiting reflex, you need to remain calm and breathe deeply. For better visualization through the gastroscope, air is supplied. During the examination, the doctor rotates the gastroscopy, pushes it forward and takes it back, which allows him to study in detail all areas of the stomach. The image is recorded. Upon completion, the gastroscopy is carefully removed from the esophagus.

After a gastroscopy the patient is under the supervision of the medical staff for 1.5-2 hours. Complications after the procedure are extremely rare. For one or two days after a gastroscopy, there may be an unpleasant sensation in the throat. In rare cases, an allergic reaction to anesthesia may develop.