Are you recently experiencing frequent regurgitation or heartburn? Chances are it is a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Well if that is the case, then it is best to consult a medical professional around you. Once you consult them, chances are they will run a few tests on you before starting any treatment, one of them being endoscopy.
Over the years, endoscopy has been used by physicians around the world as a standard diagnostic procedure to treat illnesses like ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux diseases, celiac diseases, swelling, and others. One kind of endoscopy is commonly known as gastroscopy or upper endoscopy which involves inspecting the inner chambers of the esophagus which is the top part of the gastrointestinal tract, the stomach, and the duodenum which is where the small intestine begins.
Doctors use a medical tool called an endoscope is used for the whole process. While one end of the endoscope or apparatus is attached to a monitor, the other end is equipped with a light and a camera. The camera captures pictures of the gastric tract which is then displayed on the monitor at a high clarity resolution.
For years this procedure has helped individuals detect health issues like dysphagia, gut-related issues, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, peptic ulcers, and many more. This is a big reason why doctors around the always prescribe their patients to undergo a private gastroscopy in Montreal (gastroscopie privé in Montréal) whenever they feel consistent discomfort in their stomach or anywhere in the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract.
The Procedure
It requires skill and experience to perform Gastroscopy as it involves inserting a high-tech apparatus inside the body of the patient for obtaining detailed and clear pictures of their gastrointestinal tract. This is why only professional and well-equipped healthcare facilities are allowed to carry on this procedure.
Before the procedure, an anesthetic spray is applied to the throat of the patient, so that the place becomes numb, and makes it easier for the endoscope to be inserted. Otherwise, if the sensitivity of the throat is not lessened then it may result in making it hard for the health professionals to insert the apparatus into the throat.
After this, the patient will be instructed to lie down properly on the hospital bed on their left side. Then the rear end of the endoscope, that is the one with the camera attached to it will be inserted into the patient’s mouth and they will have to gently swallow it, which won’t be very difficult as the apparatus is structured in such a way that it can easily pass through the esophagus and the stomach.
We understand it can still be a bit uncomfortable to undergo the whole process, but if you are a patient prescribed to undergo this medical process, then you can rest assured as you will always be guided by professionals. Moreover, it just takes 10-15 minutes to carry out the whole procedure, so it’s just a matter of a few minutes after which you are free to go.
Duration of the test results
The duration after which you will get your result of upper endoscopy completely depends on the reason for which the individual is recommended to undergo this medical process. If the reason behind the assessment was to inspect the presence of ulcers then you will get the results within a few hours.
But if the doctor detects any abnormal growth in the duodenum, stomach, or esophagus then the doctor will have to collect some tissue samples from your gut, which will be then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
If your gut samples are sent to the laboratory for further tests then it can take up to one or two weeks after which you will have to have a proper consultation session with your doctor. This consultation is extremely important and should not be skipped for any reason as during this session they will be able to suggest you appropriate mode of treatment to treat the condition.
Things to do before you get a gastroscopy
- Discuss your medical details with your doctor – It is very important to share all your health details, medications, and allergies with your doctor prior to the medical procedure. This includes your current medical conditions and your medical history, your doctor should be aware of the fact that you are pregnant or have a complicated heart condition or cancer. This helps them in taking the necessary precautions before performing the procedure.
- Arrange a ride to go home – Arrange a ride beforehand so that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of finding a ride right after you have undergone a medical. There are also some medical centers for gastroscopie privé in Montréal that care for their patients a lot and either don’t leave them till they have arranged a ride or arrange one on their behalf.
- Tell someone to spend the day with you at home – It is normal to feel lethargic and weak after the procedure because you are most likely to be given a sedative or narcotic during an upper endoscopy just to help you feel calm and relaxed during the process. So, it will be best to get a friend or family member to stay the day with you for the day.
- Follow proper diet requirements – Avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight right before the procedure. However, you can drink clear liquids like water, coconut water, apple juice, or broth.
Final takeaway
Gastroscopy or upper endoscopy is an effective medical procedure that is used by professionals from all across the world for correctly diagnosing GERD. If you are scheduled to undergo this procedure then there’s nothing to worry about as it has very few risks attached, and is fairly safe. Give a read to the blog as it has all the necessary details about the procedure and also a list of pre-procedure routines that you can follow.