Heartburn/Reflux
What is heartburn and acid reflux?
"Heartburn" is sometimes used interchangeably with "acid reflux" and it is the burning sensation felt in the chest when stomach acid splashes up from the stomach into the oesophagus.
Gastroscopy
A gastroscopy (or gastrointestinal endoscopy) is a procedure where a thin, flexible tube, called an endoscope, is used to look inside the oesophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine. The endoscope has a light and a camera at one end, which sends images of the inside of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum to a monitor.
A gastroscopy can be used to investigate problems such as: difficulty swallowing or persistent abdominal pain. It is also used to diagnose conditions such as stomach ulcers or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), as well as treat conditions such as: bleeding ulcers, a blockage in the oesophagus, non-cancerous growths (polyps) or small cancerous tumours.
When a gastroscopy is used to check symptoms or confirm a diagnosis, it is known as a “diagnostic gastroscopy”. When a gastroscopy is used to treat a condition, it is known as a “therapeutic gastroscopy”.
Frequently Asked Questions
How, what and when can I eat after the procedure?
You will come to the procedure having not eaten from midnight the night before. You will be able to eat and drink normally after the procedure unless you have had to have a lesion removed, in which case you might have to have soft foods for a few days.