Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy

What are gastroscopy and colonoscopy?

Gastroscopy can be known by many names. It can be called an upper endoscopy, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), but many people simply call the procedure a gastroscopy.
It is a procedure that allows the doctor to view your upper gastrointestinal tract: the esophagus (food pipe), stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), using a long tube with a light and a camera at the tip.

A colonoscopy is a medical procedure used to examine the inside of the colon (large intestine) and rectum. It’s typically done using a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope, which has a camera at the end. The colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and slowly advanced through the colon, allowing the doctor to check for abnormalities such as polyps, tumors, inflammation, or bleeding.

What happens during a gastroscopy and a colonoscopy?

The procedure is performed under sedation (sedation is medicine that is given to make you feel sleepy and it also has the effect that you will forgetful for the time of the procedure). For some patients (especially patients who might need extra interventions), deeper anesthesia (sleeping medicine) is needed and given. Occasionally the endoscopist (the doctor performing the gastroscopy) may need to take some samples from the tissues. The entire procedure takes around 10-15 minutes.

How do you prepare for gastroscopy and colonoscopy?

Discuss Medications and Health conditions

• Please let the doctor know if you are using the following medications as you will need special instructions regarding these medications: anticoagulants/blood thinners, antiplatelet medications such as plavix, Blood pressure medications.
• If you are instructed to do so: stop taking all iron, aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen and Advil.
• Notify your doctor if you have the following health conditions: heart murmurs, previous heart valve surgery, bleeding disorders.
• Don’t worry: the endoscopist and the anesthesiologist will check all your medical history and will give you some instructions about your treatment.

Schedule your procedure

• Your endoscopist and/or your anesthesiologist with schedule the procedure with you. If you have any question: please contact Intercare Hospital Reception Staff at 023 996 900.
• Alternatively please contact via Telegram (023 996 900) or via email ([email protected]).
• The surgical coordinator may also contact you to schedule the procedure.

To come back home safely

• Arrange for a friend of family member to drive you home after your procedure if you are bing sedated, as you will be drowsy and it is unsafe to drive.
• You must have an adult accompany you home the day of your procedure, even if you take a cab. The medical staff must be able to contact whoever will accompany you. If this person cannot be confirmed priori to your procedure, your procedure will be rescheduled for your safety.
• You should not drive a car, operate machinery, or make any legal decisions until after the day of your procedure.

The night before the procedure

For a gastroscopy:

• Do not eat solid foods after 12 am (midnight)
• Do not take any medications after midnight unless your doctor has specifically asked you to
• You may only drink clear liquids after midnight: water, clear fruit juices without pulp, coffee or tea (without milk).
• Please: do not consume any red, purple, orange coloured liquids.

For a colonoscopy: follow these specific instructions please: colonic preparation.

4 hours before your procedure

• Stop drinking all clear liquids and medications
• This means you should not have anything to eat or drink 4 hours before your upper endoscopy or colonoscopy

After your endoscopy

• You will spend time in the post-procedure unit (PACU/Recovery room) where the nursing staff and the anesthesiologist will monitor you.
• Once it is safe, you will be able to leave with your driver/escort.
• You will receive a printed copy of your results for your own records.
• Once home you can resume your normal diet and medications.

Who should get a gastroscopy or a colonoscopy?

GASTROSCOPY

There can be many reasons why a person would need a gastroscopy, but the most common reasons for gastroscopy include:

• Screening gastroscopy for men and women above the age of 40 years to look for stomach cancer
• Patients who have blood in their stools (poop)
• Patients who suffer from pain in the upper abdomen (stomach)
• Patients who have vomited blood
• Patients who have trouble eating, such as pain on swallowing their food, or feeling like their food is getting stuck
• Patients who have problems with vomiting after eating
• Patients who have a family history of stomach cancer

COLONOSCOPY

A colonoscopy is performed for various medical reasons, including:

1. Screening for Colon Cancer: For individuals aged 45+ (or earlier for high-risk individuals) to detect colon cancer or polyps.
2. Unexplained Abdominal Pain: When chronic abdominal discomfort occurs without a clear cause.
3. Rectal Bleeding: To investigate blood in the stool or rectum.
4. Chronic Diarrhea or Constipation: When gastrointestinal issues persist and are unexplained.
5. Unexplained Weight Loss: If weight loss occurs without a known cause, prompting further investigation.
6. Persistent Nausea or Vomiting: To identify underlying digestive issues.
7. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): For diagnosing conditions like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
8. Follow-Up of Polyps: After finding polyps or abnormal growths in a prior colonoscopy.
9. Surveillance in High-Risk Individuals: For those with a family history of colon cancer or genetic conditions like FAP or Lynch syndrome.
10. Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis: To evaluate symptoms like unexplained anemia or abnormal imaging.
11. Biopsy or Polyp Removal: During the procedure, doctors can remove polyps or take tissue samples for further testing.
12. Evaluation of Abnormal Imaging: When other tests suggest potential issues in the colon that require further investigation.

Each case should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine the need for colonoscopy based on individual risk factors and symptoms.

How do I book a gastroscopy or a colonoscopy?

If you think you may need a gastroscopy, please book an appointment to see one of our endoscopy doctors at Intercare Hospital.
You can call 023 996 900 to book an appointment with Dr Caroline Zabiegaj-Zwick or Dr Steven Swartz.

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