Gastroscopy is an endoscopic examination of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum that helps detect diseases of the upper digestive tract and changes in its lining. The examination is also called oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD, EGD). During a gastroscopy at Baltic American Clinic, the doctor examines the lining of the digestive tract and, where medically indicated, may take a tissue sample (biopsy) or perform another planned endoscopic intervention.
The lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum is assessed in a single examination.
If needed, tissue samples are taken for further laboratory examination.
Additional endoscopic interventions may be performed where medically indicated.
The results can be discussed with a gastroenterologist, who can draw up a plan for further tests or treatment.
When is a gastroscopy recommended?
A gastroscopy may be recommended when you have persistent or recurrent symptoms of the upper digestive tract, or when the results of other tests need to be clarified.
The examination may be needed if you have:
- Heartburn and acid reflux. The symptoms keep coming back, do not improve with treatment, or there are signs that require a more thorough examination.
- Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Especially when the symptoms persist or recur.
- Nausea and vomiting. The possible cause of the symptoms needs to be found.
- Swallowing problems. Food passes through the oesophagus with difficulty, you feel it sticking, or swallowing is painful.
- Anaemia of unclear origin. Bleeding from the digestive tract or a related disease is suspected.
- A suspected stomach or duodenal ulcer. The diagnosis needs to be confirmed or healing assessed.
- Changes in the lining found previously. Your doctor has recommended a follow-up endoscopy.
- Unintended weight loss. Especially when accompanied by digestive problems.
The doctor decides whether a gastroscopy is needed, taking into account your symptoms, age, risk factors and the results of earlier tests.
Important. Vomiting blood, black tarry stools, sudden severe pain or being unable to swallow may indicate a condition that requires urgent medical care. In such cases do not wait for a planned examination.
What can a gastroscopy detect?
Gastroscopy allows the doctor to look directly at the lining of the upper digestive tract and detect various changes in it.
Signs of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Inflammation of the oesophageal lining caused by reflux (oesophagitis), erosions and other changes may be found.
Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis)
Changes in the stomach lining are assessed and, if needed, a biopsy is taken to clarify the diagnosis.
Stomach and duodenal ulcers
Defects in the lining, their location and nature are identified.
Changes in the oesophagus
Narrowing, inflammatory changes, Barrett’s oesophagus or other conditions may be found.
Stomach and duodenal polyps
Growths of the lining are assessed and, where indicated, examined further or removed.
Precancerous and malignant changes
Tissue samples may be taken from suspicious areas for histological examination.
Helicobacter pylori infection
If needed, the infection can be tested for using samples taken during gastroscopy. Non-invasive tests are also used to detect this bacterium.
Not all digestive diseases can be detected by gastroscopy. Depending on your symptoms, additional tests may be needed.
How is a gastroscopy performed?
Getting ready for the examination
Before the examination, the doctor or medical staff check important information about your health, the medicines you take and any allergies, and explain how the examination will be carried out.
Inserting the endoscope
A thin, flexible instrument with a video camera, the gastroscope, is inserted through the mouth and carefully passed through the oesophagus into the stomach and duodenum.
Examining the lining
The doctor sees the lining of the digestive tract on a screen, assesses its condition and identifies any visible changes.
Additional procedures
If needed, tissue samples (biopsy) are taken with special instruments or another endoscopic intervention agreed in advance is performed.
Discussing the results
After the examination you receive the findings and recommendations. If a biopsy was taken, the final histology results are available later.
The diagnostic gastroscopy itself is usually short, but the total length of the visit depends on the preparation, any additional procedures and the anaesthesia used.
Is a gastroscopy painful?
A gastroscopy can cause unpleasant sensations, especially throat irritation, a gag reflex or a feeling of fullness from the air introduced during the examination.
To reduce discomfort, a local anaesthetic may be applied to the throat. In some cases the examination is performed under sedation, if this option has been agreed and is suitable for the patient.
Sedation is a calm, relaxed state induced by medicines that helps you tolerate the examination more easily. Whether it is needed and safe is assessed individually.
Biopsy during gastroscopy
A biopsy is the removal of a small sample of the lining with a special instrument.
It may be needed when:
- the nature of inflammatory changes needs to be clarified;
- precancerous or malignant changes are suspected;
- growths of the lining of unclear origin are found;
- additional histological or other tests are needed.
The tissue sample is sent for laboratory examination. The biopsy result complements the endoscopy findings and helps establish the diagnosis.
How to prepare for a gastroscopy
Proper preparation is essential for a gastroscopy, because food or fluids in the stomach can make the examination difficult and increase the risk of complications.
- Food. You must not eat for a set period before the examination. The clinic tells you exactly how long, depending on the examination and anaesthesia plan.
- Fluids. Follow the instructions on when you may still drink.
- Medicines. Tell your doctor about medicines that affect blood clotting, diabetes medicines and any other medicines you take. Do not stop taking them on your own.
- Chronic conditions and allergies. Tell us about important health conditions and any previous reactions to medicines or anaesthesia.
- Earlier tests. Bring the results of previous gastroscopies, biopsies and other related tests, if you have them.
- Sedation. If the examination is performed under sedation, arrange in advance for someone to accompany you and make sure you can get home safely.
If the preparation instructions are unclear, make sure to clarify them before the examination.
When may a gastroscopy be postponed?
The examination may be postponed if the preparation instructions were not followed, your health is unstable, or there are other circumstances that increase the risk of the examination or anaesthesia.
The doctor decides whether the examination is safe and when it is best performed.
What should you know after a gastroscopy?
After the examination you may have a sore throat, bloating or mild discomfort for a while.
If a local anaesthetic was applied to the throat, you may eat and drink only once normal swallowing has returned and the medical staff allow it.
After sedation you must not drive or do anything that requires concentration for a certain period of time. Follow the clinic’s instructions.
When should you seek medical help?
If after the examination you develop severe or increasing chest or abdominal pain, fever, difficulty breathing or signs of bleeding, seek medical help immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Is a gastroscopy the same as a stomach examination?
In everyday language a gastroscopy is often called a stomach examination. However, it examines not only the stomach but also the oesophagus and duodenum.
Can a gastroscopy be done under sedation?
A gastroscopy can be performed under sedation. Whether this is possible and suitable for you, and how to prepare, needs to be agreed when you book the examination.
Does a gastroscopy show Helicobacter pylori?
The infection can be detected from samples taken during gastroscopy, but this requires a specific additional test. Looking at the lining alone does not reliably confirm the infection.
Can a gastroscopy show stomach cancer?
Suspicious changes in the lining can be seen during gastroscopy. A biopsy and histological examination are usually needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Can I drink water before a gastroscopy?
This depends on the examination and the planned anaesthesia. Follow the clinic’s specific preparation instructions.
Can a biopsy be taken during a gastroscopy?
Yes. If changes are found or further examination is needed, the doctor can take a sample of the lining.
Can I go back to work straight after a gastroscopy?
If no sedation was used and you feel well, you can usually return to your normal activities soon. After sedation, additional restrictions apply.
Does a gastroscopy replace an abdominal ultrasound?
No. A gastroscopy examines the lining of the upper digestive tract, while an ultrasound assesses the structure of the abdominal organs. The two examinations complement each other.
Gastroscopy price
The price of a gastroscopy is set by the Baltic American Clinic price list in force at the time.
If a biopsy, histological examination, sedation, additional procedures or a doctor’s consultation are needed, their prices are set by the price list in force and the scope of the services provided.
The need for additional procedures and the expected costs are discussed before the examination.