Gastroscopy
A gastroscopy can be used to check symptoms or confirm a diagnosis, or it can be used to treat a condition.
A gastroscopy may be recommended if you have symptoms that suggest a problem with your stomach, oesophagus (gullet), or the first section of your small intestine (duodenum).
Problems that are sometimes investigated using a gastroscopy include:
A gastroscopy is also used to help confirm (or rule out) suspected conditions, such as:
As well as examining the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, the endoscope (a thin, flexible tubethat's passed down your throat) can be used to remove small samples of tissue for testing.This is known as a biopsy .
A gastroscopy can also be carried out to treat some problems affecting theoesophagus, stomach and duodenum.
For example, a gastroscopy can be used to:
A gastroscopy is a procedure where a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope is used to look inside the oesophagus (gullet), stomach and first part of the small intestine (duodenum).
A gastroscopy can be used to check symptoms or confirm a diagnosis, or it can be used to treat a condition.
Instructions about how to prepare for a gastroscopy should be included with your appointment letter. Phone the hospital if there's anything you're unsure about.
Read about the main risks associated with having a gastroscopy, including the risks of sedation and internal bleeding.