What exactly is upper gastrointestinal endoscopy?

Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract, moreover referred to as

oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) or gastroscopy for short, passes a thin, flexible tube fitted
subsequently a camera through the mouth to the duodenum (the initial curved segment of the little
intestine). It allows the physician to examine the mucosal lining of the oesophagus, stomach and
duodenum. The procedure will usually be performed by a gastroenterologist or upper
gastrointestinal general surgeon, and can be over and done with in the manner of the compliant
swift or below general anaesthesia.
It is an important diagnostic procedure used in the psychoanalysis of diseases such as reflux
oesophagitis, oesophageal varices, oesophageal cancer, gastric ulcer, gastric cancer, duodenal ulcer,
and coeliac disease.
Endoscopy may be used for investigation of symptoms such as indigestion, nausea, vomiting,
throbbing or bleeding. The physician is often skilled to locate the source of the symptoms to guide
further investigations and treatment. They can next exclude nasty diagnoses such as cancer. In
addition, endoscopy has numerous therapeutic applications, particularly in the organization of upper
gastrointestinal bleeds, behind various methods easy to use to end the bleeding.

What is its purpose?

Diagnostic applications
Diagnostic applications mainly focus upon the inspection of viable peptic ulcers or carcinoma
(cancers). Biopsies (tissue samples) can be taken during procedure by threading specialised devices
through the central equipment channel of the endoscope.
Endoscopy is used to investigate symptoms such as dyspepsia (general term for industrial accident
stomach), vomiting or iron want anaemia (secondary to gastrointestinal bleeding) and in patients
taking into consideration blood detected in their faeces. Peptic ulceration is the most common cause
of gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy allows chemical analysis of the entire place of the
gastrointestinal tract prone to peptic ulceration and carcinoma in a single investigation.
It should be noted that the endoscope lonely reaches to the second portion of the duodenum.
Colonoscopyon the new hand, usually abandoned reaches taking place to the terminal ileum (final
segment of the small intestine). consequently afterward standard investigation techniques, there is a
segment of small intestine that is not accessible for more detailed examination.

Therapeutic applications
Endoscopy is most often used in the treatment of bleeding lesions. Ulcers, varices (abnormal, dilated
tortuous veins) or further abnormalities can be treated by injecting substances that constrict vessels,
occluding them in imitation of balloons or placing a little band at their base. Benign strictures
(narrowings) in the front or oesophagus can in addition to be opened stirring using endoscopic
techniques. Cancers of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum can sometimes cause obstruction,

so small tubes (stents) can be placed to save the lumen open. Laser treatment can then be used to
attempt to execute some of the cancerous cells. Furthermore, endoscopy has been used in the
treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease by means of special surgery via the endoscope.

Preparing for the procedure

Before the procedure, a nurse will spend some grow old when you to ask and answer questions, and
to create determined that there is a clear union of whats going on. A doctor will moreover spend
some epoch next you, going over the procedure, its benefits, risks and complications. You will next
be asked to sign a grant form.
Endoscopy is often the end as an out-patient procedure. You are advised not to drive to your taking
over as the sedatives can allow happening to 24 hours to wear off.
Specific instructions will be provided by the staff at the hospital where the procedure will be
performed. For 8 hours prior to the procedure, you will not be practiced to eat or drink all except
maybe small amounts of water until one and a half hours previously the procedure. This minimises
the risk of endeavor (sucking or inspiration) of gastrointestinal contents into the airways and lungs.
It as a consequence ensures the upper gastrointestinal tract is empty to get optimal views of the
walls and mucosa.
Newer, thinner endoscopes are now affable which condense the compulsion for sedation and
minimise tolerant discomfort. Your doctor will rule whether these are all right for your procedure.

The procedure
The nurse will append an intravenous line, through which medications will be introduced and your
vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate and oxygen saturation) will be recorded. These
will be monitored before, during and after the procedure.
When you arrive for the procedure, a local anaesthetic will be sprayed at the back up of your throat
to allow you to swallow the tube without gagging. Several patients then get sedation to minimise
discomfort and anxiety.
A long, flexible endoscope is passed via the mouth, through the oesophagus and belly to attain the
duodenum. expose is pumped out of the endoscope to dilate the tummy to allow better visualisation.
The doctor manoeuvers the endoscope through the gastrointestinal tract. The doctor will be skillful
to see magnified pictures of the tract upon the television and hence begin to create a diagnosis.
If uncharacteristic lesions are detected, the doctor may endure a small sample (biopsy) to allow
extra testing, or produce a result dealings to end bleeding ulcers. Specialised equipment is threaded
through the tube for these purposes. The entire procedure usually takes 20-30 minutes.
After the procedure, you will stay for a few hours of observation even if the painkilling wears off.
Your throat may air blister and you may tone bloated. These will speedily wear off.

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