Overview
Exploration of the oesophagus, stomach and upper part of the small intestine using a tube inserted via the mouth.
Description
A gastroscopy is a visual exploration of the oesophagus, the whole of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). It is used to determine the origin of your symptoms and enables conditions affecting these organs to be treated (for example, inflammation, ulcers, varicose veins, polyps or tumours).
Performed on an outpatient basis, the examination involves inserting a flexible tube (endoscope) via the mouth to detect any anomalies on the surface of the oesophagus, the stomach or the duodenum and take biopsies (small tissue samples for analysis). The examination leaves no side effects, except for a slight irritation of the throat for a few hours.
A gastroscopy can be unpleasant, which is why medication will be administered to you during the examination.
Preparation before the examination
From midnight, do not consume any solid food so that the upper part of the digestive tract does not contain any food residues during the examination.
You have to have fasted for at least 6 hours for this examination.