Upper GI Endoscopy or Gastroscopy is also known as oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGDS). It is a specialized endoscopic examination where a small scope is passed through your mouth, down your food pipe (oesophagus) into your stomach and down to your duodenum (first part of the small intestines).
It is usually done for persistent symptoms such as gastric pain or discomfort, reflux symptoms, difficulty swallowing, or symptoms suggestive of bleeding or ulcer (eg. anemia or black stool). Common problems such as gastritis, polyps, ulcer or even cancer can be diagnosed.
Often times, Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) can be one of the culprits for gastritis. It is detected through a biopsy of the ulcer via gastroscopy and this bacteria can be treated with a triple therapy regime. If it is left untreated, it can contribute to ulcers, gastritis or even more serious conditions such as bleeding or gastric cancer.
This procedure is performed with a local anaesthetic spray to the back of the throat and with or without sedation. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes for the procedure to be done. It is a safe procedure with small risk only of sore throat, bleeding, perforation of 1:10,000 cases.
