GASTROSCOPY

A gastroscopy (examination of the stomach) can help confirm or rule out the presence of medical conditions like gastritis or peptic ulcers.

In this procedure, an instrument called a gastroscope is used to look at the inside of the esophagus (food pipe), the stomach, and part of the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).

Gastroscopy may be done if you have the following:

• Chronic or recurring heartburn, nausea or vomiting

• Nausea over a longer period of time

• Stomach pain

• Trouble swallowing

• Black stool or blood in your stool

• Weight loss for no apparent reason

• Suspected peptic ulcer

• Suspected cancer of the esophagus or stomach

• A check-up after stomach surgery

A gastroscope is a flexible tube that has a small light and a video camera attached to the end of it. The images from the video camera are sent to a screen. The tube can be used to take tissue samples by inserting instruments such as small pincers. It can also be used to suck out air and fluids.