What is an endoscopy (gastroscopy)?
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What is an endoscopy (gastroscopy)?
It is an examination of your oesophagus (gullet), stomach and duodenum (the first part of the bowel beyond the stomach). A thin flexible tube is passed through the mouth into the stomach. The test is performed as a day-case under light sedation or local anaesthetic sprayed on the back of the throat. The test is very quick and much easier than might be thought. It is important that you have nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours before the test. The test helps to diagnose acid reflux, hiatus hernia, peptic ulcer disease Barrett's oesphagus and less common conditions including stomach cancer.