Written by: Dr Moodie , General Surgeon
Upper endoscopy is currently one of the most frequently performed procedures. These procedures can either be diagnostic or seen as an intervention. They are pretty much painless procedures with minimal discomfort at most after such a scope
Why might I need an upper GI endoscopy?
- Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Upper belly pain or chest pain that is not heart related.
- Continuous vomiting for an unknown reason (intractable vomiting)
- Bleeding in the upper GI tract.
- As follow up after certain surgical procedures.
It is often used to find the cause of unexplained symptoms such as:
- Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Upper belly pain or chest pain that is not heart-related
- Continuous vomiting for an unknown reason (intractable vomiting)
- Bleeding in the upper GI tract
An upper GI endoscopy can be used to identify disorders or problems such as:
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Narrowing (strictures) or blockages
- Larger than normal veins in your oesophagus (oesophageal varices)
- Redness and swelling (inflammation) and sores (ulcers)
- Tumors, either cancerous (malignant) or not cancerous (benign)
- The stomach moving upward, either into or next to your oesophagus (hiatal hernia)
- Damage caused by swallowing very harmful (caustic) substances, such as household detergents and chemicals
- Celiac disease
- Crohn’s disease of the upper GI tract
- Infections of the upper GI tract
An upper GI endoscopy can also treat problems in the upper GI tract. The procedure can be used to:
- Control bleeding
- Remove tumors or growths (polyps)
- Open (dilate) narrowed areas
- Remove things that may be stuck
- Perform laser therapy
- Insert a tube used for tube feeding (a percutaneous gastrostomy/ PEG tube)
- Band abnormal veins in your oesophagus (oesophageal varices)
As you all know any interventional procedures are always quite scary and hair-raising, but gastroscopy is in general not painful and come with a minimum risk profile. Should you have any warning signs or symptoms, do not hesitate to get a routine gastroscopy or even colonoscopy done as this may be preventative medicine.
