Although the lining inside our stomach is very strong, if neglected… various abnormalities can occur. Especially since it is an organ located deep inside the body, to know the current condition of our stomach, “stomach endoscopy” is a modern option… and helps doctors see details clearly.
Warning signs indicating… you should undergo a stomach endoscopy
- Painful tightness under the sternum, stomach ache, bloating
- Difficulty swallowing and pain when swallowing
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Frequent vomiting and possibly vomiting blood
- Anemia
- Black stools
- A lump in the upper abdomen
Stomach endoscopy procedure
- The patient must fast from food and water for about 8 hours before the procedure
- The patient swallows a local anesthetic and receives a throat spray (so please inform the doctor if you are allergic to anesthetics)
- When the throat is numb, the doctor inserts a soft, long tube-like endoscope through the patient’s mouth to the throat, ending at the second part of the duodenum
- The doctor takes about 5-10 minutes to perform the procedure, and if abnormalities are found… the doctor will take a tissue biopsy for further diagnosis
- After the procedure, the patient’s throat will remain numb for about 30 minutes. Avoid swallowing saliva or coughing as it may cause choking. Once the numbness subsides, drink plenty of water to relieve throat discomfort
Stomach endoscopy… enhances treatment effectiveness
If ulcers or tumors are detected… the doctor can take a biopsy to check for cancer or Helicobacter infection for timely treatment. If it is just a simple ulcer, the procedure can also be used to monitor treatment progress.
- If bleeding spots are found… the doctor may inject medication to stop the bleeding or use heat or electric current to help stop it
- If narrowing is found… the doctor can use the endoscope to partially dilate the area
- If varicose veins are found at the lower esophagus… the doctor can band the ruptured veins through the endoscope
Possible side effects…
Although stomach endoscopy offers many benefits, there can be risks from side effects such as bleeding, aspiration pneumonia, or infection. However, these are very rare occurrences!
