What to Expect During Your First Gastroscopy Screening

If your doctor has recommended a gastroscopy, you may be feeling uncertain about what to expect. Medical procedures, especially those involving scopes or sedation, can be intimidating at first glance.

The truth is, the more you understand the process, the more confident and comfortable you will feel walking into your appointment. In this article, we share information about gastroscopy screening, how to prepare, and what happens during and after the procedure.

A gastroscopy is a diagnostic procedure to allow doctors visual access to the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The gastrointestinal specialist will use a long, thin, flexible tube called a gastroscope, which is fitted with a tiny camera and light at the tip.

They will gently pass the gastroscope through the mouth and down into the stomach. The camera sends live images to a monitor, helping the specialist identify any inflammation, ulcers, tumours, or structural abnormalities.

A gastroscopy is minimally invasive, and doctors usually perform it as an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home on the same day. In some cases, doctors may take small tissue samples (biopsies) during the gastroscopy for laboratory analysis.

Your doctor might recommend a gastroscopy if you're experiencing persistent symptoms such as:



• Chronic or severe heartburn
• Unexplained nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Upper abdominal pain
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Unexplained weight loss

Gastroscopy can help detect conditions like gastritis, ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), celiac disease, and even early signs of gastrointestinal cancers.

It provides clear, visual confirmation of what's going on in your digestive tract, offering vital information that other tests may miss.

Being prepared helps ensure a smooth procedure and accurate results. Before your gastroscopy, your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions, but here are the general steps you can expect:

• Fasting: You should stop eating and drinking for at least 6 to 8 hours before your appointment. An empty stomach is ideal for clear visibility.
• Medication review: Inform your doctor about all medications you are currently taking, especially:
• Blood thinners (e.g., warfarin, aspirin)
• Diabetes medications
• Supplements or herbal remedies
• Allergies and medical history: Be sure to disclose any allergies, particularly to medications or anaesthesia, and any underlying health conditions such as heart or lung disease.
• Arrange transportation: If you are receiving sedation, you will be advised not to drive afterwards. Plan for someone to accompany you to and from the clinic or hospital.
• Wear comfortable clothing: Choose loose-fitting clothing and leave valuables at home. You may be asked to change into a gown for the procedure.

On the day of your gastroscopy, the care team will guide you through the process to ensure you feel informed and comfortable.

• Arrival and preparation: The medical team will bring you to the procedure room and ask you to lie on your side. A nurse will usually use a local anaesthetic spray to numb your throat and administer a mild sedative through an IV to help you relax.
• Insertion of the gastroscope: The doctor will gently insert the thin, flexible gastroscope through your mouth and guide it down the oesophagus into the stomach and the duodenum. You may feel slight pressure or a sensation of fullness, but the sedative should keep you relaxed and pain-free.
• Visual examination: As the camera at the tip of the scope sends live images to a monitor, the doctor carefully examines the lining of your upper digestive tract for any abnormalities such as inflammation, ulcers, or unusual growths.
• Biopsy, if needed: If necessary, the doctor may take small tissue samples (biopsies) using instruments passed through the scope. This process is painless and usually does not cause bleeding or discomfort.
• Duration: The whole procedure usually takes less than 15 minutes, though you'll spend additional time in recovery if sedation is used.
  
  

After the procedure, you will be moved to a recovery area where nurses will monitor you as the sedative wears off. You may feel drowsy or slightly groggy for a few hours. Some patients report a mild sore throat, bloating, or gas—these symptoms typically resolve within a few hours.

Avoid eating or drinking until the numbness in your throat wears off. After that, you can eat normally, unless your doctor advises otherwise.

In many cases, your doctor will discuss preliminary findings with you shortly after the procedure. If biopsies are taken, the lab results may be processed in a few days to a week.

The results will help your gastrointestinal specialist identify the cause of your symptoms. If a diagnosis is made, your doctor will explain treatment options and guide you through the next steps in your care.