OGDs are performed in patients to check for conditions such as:
Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
Gastric ulcers
Barrett's oesophagus
Gastric cancer
Coeliac disease
Who should get a gastroscopy?
Common indications for an OGD include:
Diagnosis: persistent gastric pains, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, unexplained anemia, ulcers (gastric and duodenal), Barrett's oesophagus.
Biopsy: eg. Following an abnormal barium meal or barium swallow examination.
Therapeutic: removal of ingested foreign bodies, tamponade of bleeding oesophageal varices, feeding tube placement, injection/banding to stop bleeding
Preparing for the gastroscopy
You will need to ensure that your stomach is empty before the procedure. Generally, you will be asked to fast for at least 6-8 hours preceding the gastroscope. Medications that you usually take, such as those for hypertension, should be continued. Always check with your doctor should you have any doubts.
Dentures, glasses and contact lenses, if any, will have to be removed. You will usually be given some form of sedation to make you more comfortable.
The Procedure
You will be made to lie to your side with your head bent slightly forward. An anaesthetic will be sprayed to numb the back of your throat, thus reducing your urge to gag. Your doctor will place a mouth guard over your teeth (to prevent you from biting the scope) before putting the well lubricated gastroscope into your mouth. As the scope is guided gently down your oesophagus and into your stomach, you will be asked to swallow. Try to relax and follow your doctor's instructions. A nurse will generally be on hand to suck the excess saliva from your mouth.
Once the gastroscope has reached your stomach, some air will be pumped in to expand your stomach. You may experience slight fullness in your stomach at this stage. Your doctor will then proceed to examine the linings of your stomach and duodenum in sections to ensure that all surfaces have been examined. Should there be a need for a biopsy to be taken, this can be done by passing a small instrument down a side port of the gastroscope. Tissue samples may be sent to the laboratory for testing to determine the nature of the tissue (ie if benign or malignant). Sometimes, testing for H. pylori infections are also done.
Once the examination is completed, the gastroscope is removed.
The whole procedure usually lasts between 10 to 20 minutes.
Following the Procedure
You will generally be made to rest in the recovery area of the clinic until the sedation wears out. If any of the following occur within 48 hours of the procedure, you should consult your doctor immediately:
Vomiting of blood
Difficulty breathing
Worsening abdominal pain
Allergic reactions such as eye swelling, wheezing or rashes which may occur with medications prescribed for the gastroscopy
Dr Ang C.D. is has been in medical practice for over 12 years. He graduated with an M.B.B.S. degree from the National University of Singapore in 1997 and subsequently completed his post-graduate diploma in Family Medicine. He has had training in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Neurosurgery, General Surgery, Colorectal Surgery and Urology. Dr Ang currently practices in a family clinic in Singapore, seeing a good mix of paediatric, adult and geriatric patients.
With the goal of providing local and international patients with a resource for specialist care in Singapore, Dr Ang has founded SingaporeDoc.com, a Web Directory of Specialists in Private Practice in Singapore.
http://singaporedoc.com
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