Gastroscopy is one of the methods for examining the stomach and esophagus. It is performed with the help of a gastroscopy tube, which by means of optical means helps to see the specialists the state of the cavity of the stomach, duodenum and esophageal mucosa.
Naturally, such a procedure requires special preparation of the patient, but its nature depends, in part, on whether or not a biopsy will be performed additionally.
Preparation for gastric gastroscopy is carried out not only in a medical institution, but also at home, until the patient arrives at the destination.
How to prepare for gastric gastroscopy at home?
A few days before the gastroscopy, do not take acute and fatty foods, especially if there is a suspicion of a stomach ulcer. Despite the fact that modern gastroscopes reduce the risk of complications to 1%, yet, the probability exists, and given that the gastroscope is a foreign object, it can cause perforation.
Therefore, a few days before the procedure with the permission of the doctor, you can take anti-inflammatory herbal teas - for example, from flowers of chamomile .
Also, make sure that on the eve of gastroscopy the state of health is satisfactory and there is no acute pain in the gastrointestinal tract. To conduct this procedure in acute conditions is extremely unsafe, as this can cause complications. In some cases, doctors take this step even in acute conditions, if the lack of information about the state of the stomach threatens the patient's life.
If the patient is taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or iron, then it is better to drop them 10 days before the procedure, as they can contribute to bleeding. Usually, if there is an accidental damage to the wall, a small bleeding may open, which does not require special treatment. If you take these medications before the examination, then it is possible that the bleeding will stop much longer.
Also in the list of unwanted medicines are anticoagulants (promote blood thinning) and those that neutralize hydrochloric acid.
How correctly to prepare for a gastroscopy in the hospital?
Preparation for gastroscopy in most items is not complicated and it can be divided into three stages.
The first step in preparing a patient for stomach gastroscopy is consulting with a doctor
After setting the diagnosis and clarifying whether a biopsy is necessary, notify the doctor about the following facts:
- about the presence of an allergy to anesthetics and other medications;
- about taking medicines;
- on blood clotting - you may need to do additional analysis;
- about the pathologies of the heart;
- about pregnancy or its planning;
- about diabetes, if there is one;
- about previous treatment of the stomach and surgical intervention, if it was.
This is an indicative list of the most important issues that should be clarified.
The second step in preparing the patient for gastroscopy is the signing of documents
After discussing the procedure, it is necessary to sign a document on the consent to conduct it. Before this, do not forget to clarify the possible complications after a gastroscopy.
The third step in preparation for the study of gastroscopy - 8 hours before the start
8 hours before the start of a gastroscopy, do not eat, and if possible liquid. A few hours before the procedure, it is forbidden to take liquid, because this can prevent a specialist from seeing the exact picture. In 8 hours, the esophagus and stomach are released from food, so this is a strict requirement.
Before you start, you need to change into special clothes that are issued in the hospital, as well as remove rings, lenses, earrings, bracelets, chains, goggles and dentures, if any. Also, the doctor may suggest emptying the bladder so that there is no urge during the procedure.