Gastroscopy
Welcome to InnerMed – your specialists for gastroscopy in Bühl/Baden-Baden!
With more than 1000 gastroscopies a year, we have reliable experience in the field of endoscopic examinations. The safety and well-being of our patients is always our top priority. Using state-of-the-art equipment and intensive care by qualified specialist staff, we offer optimal examinations and treatment tailored to your individual needs.
In addition to gastroscopy, we naturally offer a wide range of other examination and treatment options.
- When is a gastroscopy recommended?
- Before the gastroscopy: what you should think about
- Gastroscopy: how the examination works
- After the gastroscopy: What should I bear in mind?
- Gastroscopy: advantages, risks, costs
- QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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When is a gastroscopy recommended?
Gastroscopy is an examination method that can help to clarify complaints in the upper digestive tract. The following symptoms can be the reason for a gastroscopy:
- Frequent heartburn
- Persistent nausea with or without vomiting
- Swallowing disorders
- Increased flatulence
- Unclear weight loss and loss of appetite
During the examination, abnormal changes in the mucous membrane can be detected and, if necessary, tissue samples can be taken. In this way, certain diseases and causes of complaints can be identified, for example:
- Lactose intolerance and gluten intolerance (coeliac disease)
- Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis)
- Internal bleeding (e.g. in the esophagus, duodenum or stomach)
- Infection with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that often settles in the stomach lining of humans and can lead to the development of inflammation and/or ulcers.
ATTENTION
Akute Bauchschmerzen
Acute abdominal pain can be an indication of a serious illness. Significant pain accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms may be an emergency:
In these cases, you should immediately go to the nearest hospital or call 112!
Before the gastroscopy: what you should think about
Unlike a colonoscopy, a gastroscopy does not require extensive preparation and cleansing with laxatives. The stomach usually empties quickly on its own – it is therefore sufficient to avoid food and drink for at least four hours before the examination. Clear liquids (e.g. water) can be consumed up to about two hours before the examination.
Are you taking anticoagulant medication (blood thinners)? It is best to discuss this with your doctor in good time – preferably at least two weeks before the examination appointment. It may be necessary to temporarily discontinue such medication, as otherwise the risk of internal bleeding may increase.
Gastroscopy: how the examination works
Gastroscopy is performed on an outpatient basis in the endoscopy department of our practice, so a stay in hospital is not necessary. As the examination only takes between five and 15 minutes and is usually painless, anesthesia is usually not necessary. However, we can of course administer a sedative (short sleep injection) on request. In most cases, the throat is also anaesthetized with a special spray so that the insertion of the examination device through the mouth is not too noticeable.
During the examination, the patient lies on their side. The endoscope – a tube-like device about the thickness of a finger – is inserted through the throat and advanced towards the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. It is equipped with a small camera and allows your doctor to view the entire stomach lining. With the help of small forceps, tissue samples can be taken and minor procedures performed. The endoscope is then carefully pulled out again.
After the gastroscopy: What should I bear in mind?
If you have been given a sedative, you will be taken to a recovery room for approximately 20 to 30 minutes after the examination. You will then have a final consultation with your doctor , during which we will discuss the results of your examination. If tissue samples were taken, they will be sent to our partner laboratory for analysis. As a rule, you will receive the results of this analysis after three days at the latest.
After the gastroscopy, the local anesthesia of the throat may cause hoarseness and a numb feeling in the mouth. This is nothing to worry about: the numbness will subside on its own after a short time. Until then, you should not drink or eat anything, as you could otherwise choke.
Patients who have been given a sedative may not drive on the day of the examination. We recommend that you have someone you trust pick you up after the examination and accompany you home. We will be happy to organize a cab for you, just contact us!
Gastroscopy: advantages, risks, costs
ADVANTAGES
What are the advantages of gastroscopy?
Gastroscopy makes it possible to precisely assess the mucous membrane in the upper digestive tract. Abnormal changes can thus be detected at an early stage and appropriate treatment can be initiated. A number of advantages speak in favor of the examination:
RISKS
What are the risks and side effects?
Gastroscopy is a very safe, low-risk examination method. Complications such as injuries to the mucous membrane or bleeding after taking tissue samples only occur in rare cases.
In individual cases, patients do not tolerate the sedative. This can lead to circulatory problems during the examination – which is why we constantly monitor pulse, oxygen saturation and blood pressure.