Gastroscopy

A gastroscopy, also known as an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or just upper endoscopy, is usually done to investigate the cause of symptoms such as heartburn, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, vomiting or bleeding from the digestive tract, and to make or confirm a diagnosis.

Conditions can also sometimes be treated during gastroscopy — for example:

• polyps can be removed;
• enlarged veins (varices) in the oesophagus (food pipe) can be treated to stop and prevent bleeding;
• a narrowed oesophagus can be widened; and
• foreign objects (such as objects accidentally swallowed by children) can be removed.

Prepare for Gastroscopy -

You will be asked not to eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours before a gastroscopy.