Gastroscopy Procedure Cape Town

Gastroscopy is the name given to the procedure whereby the doctor can visualise your oesophagus, stomach and upper small bowel and is often used instead of or in conjunction with x-rays (barium meal).

At times it is used to make:

• A diagnosis of oesophagitis (irritation of the oesophageal lining);
• Strictures in the oesophagus or at the pylorus (the valve separating the stomach from the small bowel, causing gastro-oesophageal reflux), which can be dilated with a balloon device allowing for improved swallowing and gastric emptying,
• Hiatus hernias,
• Gastritis (an irritation of the stomach lining)
• Ulcers involving the stomach and/or small bowel
• In emergency situations it is also used to treat the cause of bleeding from the upper bowel.

The "Gastro scope" (the instrument) is a flexible pipe which contains fibres that conduct light and thereby makes it possible to see into the bowel. The doctor is able to manoeuvre the tip of the "scope" into the upper bowel through the mouth by passing gently down the oesophagus ('food pipe') into the stomach and small bowel (duodenum), seeing into all the corners of your upper bowel.
This instrument also makes it possible to take a sample of the bowel if necessary, which can then be analyzed by a pathologist. This is called a biopsy.

Day One:
After a consultation with the doctor, who is to be doing the Gastroscopy, an appointment will be made to undergo this procedure.

Day Two:
In order to carry out this simple procedure, you will be asked by the doctor to fast for a period of at least 6 hours so that your stomach will be empty.

Day Three:
You will go to the doctor's consulting rooms the next day to have the "scope" performed on you.

Day Four:
A slow start on food and a good time to start it health wise.
The "scope" can be performed on you while you are wide awake or while you are sedated. A general anaesthetic is very rarely required. You will be given oxygen through a small nasal catheter; your throat will be sprayed with local anaesthetic spray to prevent a sore throat where - after you will be given an injection to sedate you.

The sedative used for the procedure is usually a short-acting one and within an hour or so you should be ready to go home. It is recommended that you do not drive for at least 12 hours after receiving this sedation.

The scope is a safe procedure with a complication rate of 0, 1%. Most of the complications are very minor.

• A sore throat is the most common complication and even this is rare with the new, softer and thinner “scopes”
• Allergic reactions to the medications used, are also rare;
• The sedative used is very mild and will let you have a light sleep. It can usually be administered with safety to almost any patient;
• Any other problems relating to your particular case will almost certainly be discussed with you by your doctor.

BUT MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL
Please – for your own... And your loved ones' sake

Do your best to prevent getting cancer of the colon, oesophagus, stomach or upper bowel ...or improve your prognosis by having it diagnosed as early as possible. You do not need to fall prey to this BIG C that is a threat to each and every one in the world...
Yes, TO YOU TOO!!!

If you do not endeavour to make use of this service of precaution offered to all, you will deny yourself the opportunity to live a long life of good health.