During a gastroscopy (or endoscopy) a thin tube-like telescope is inserted through your mouth to look for any problems in your oesophagus (gullet), stomach and duodenum (part of the small intestine). Diagnosing such problems is a key step to help you get the relief and treatment you need to start living a full life again.
A referral letter from a consultant or GP is required before booking any diagnostic investigation.
Why you might need it
A gastroscopy (or endoscopy) can tell your doctor a lot about the possible causes of any problems you have in the gullet, stomach or small intestine. It’s also a useful and painless way for doctors to check how diagnosed gastrointestinal conditions are progressing.
It can be used to treat conditions such as enlarged veins or bleeding ulcers.
You might be referred for a gastroscopy if you have any of a range of symptoms, many of which will be uncomfortable and affect your enjoyment of life. They can include:
- heartburn
- indigestion
- long-term stomach pain
- difficulty swallowing
- repeated vomiting of blood
Some of these can indicate conditions such as stomach ulcers, hiatus hernia, coeliac disease or, in some cases, cancer of the stomach or oesophagus.
The procedure involves passing a long, thin telescopic tube through your mouth and throat into the gullet and stomach, usually after you’ve been sedated.
Since 2007 we've invested £500 million into our hospitals and staff; all patients, either insured or paying for themselves, can gain rapid access to some of the latest generation diagnostic imaging and treatments.’
You don't have to wait to have this test with us, so you can have your results in hand to quickly get on the right treatment path for your condition. We don't just offer diagnostics, but take an integrated medical approach and can organise any other care that you may need.
We pride ourselves on our clinical excellence, you'll be looked after by an experienced multidisciplinary care team.
Find a Spire hospital offering this treatment
Who will do it?
Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.
All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.
Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.
Before your treatment
You will need a referral letter from a consultant or GP before booking any diagnostic investigation.
You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.
We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.
Preparing for your treatment
We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.
For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.
Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.
The procedure
It’s likely that both a doctor and nurse will be involved in the procedure. They understand that people can get anxious as it approaches. They’ll answer any questions you have and be there for you to provide reassurance.
You’ll remain conscious during the 10 to 30 minute procedure, although you’ll probably have had a mild sedative so you may feel very relaxed. Your clinician might also use a spray to numb your throat. You’ll be able to breathe comfortably as the tube will not be fed through your windpipe.
The doctor will then thread the tube (or endoscope) with a tiny camera on the end into your gullet and stomach. This will allow them to see pictures of what is happening in those areas.
You might feel a bit bloated at times as the clinician will pump gas into your stomach.
The tube might also take a tissue sample (a biopsy) for study in one of our labs.
The clinician will then withdraw the endoscope.
Aftercare
After this, you will be taken to your room or comfortable area where you can rest and recuperate until we feel you’re ready to go home.
Recovery time
If you've had an anaesthetic you’ll need a friend or relative to get you home. You’ll feel drowsy for a few hours and possibly into the next day. You might have sore throat or feel bloated around the stomach.
You might not be able to eat your normal diet for a few days depending on the type of gastroscopy you’ve had. We will advise you accordingly.
End result
If your test was part of a range of diagnostic procedures coordinated by a Spire consultant the results should be ready several days later. We may need to make a follow-up appointment with you to discuss the results.
We take an integrated approach so we can organise any other care that you may need should your test results show something abnormal.
Looking after you
Even once you’ve left hospital, we’re still here for you.
On rare occasions, complications following treatment can occur. If you experience any of these symptoms vomiting blood, breathing difficulties, acute pain in the neck, chest or stomach - please call us straight away. We will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.
If you have any questions or concerns, we’re ready to help.
Why choose Spire?
We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.
Important to note
The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.
What is a gastroscopy?
A gastroscopy is a procedure to look inside the upper part of your digestive tract ie your oesophagus (gullet), stomach and duodenum (the first part of your small intestine). It is performed by a doctor or a nurse who is specially trained in this procedure (an endoscopist).
A gastroscopy is a type of endoscopy. This means it involves inserting a thin, flexible instrument, which has a tiny camera and a light at the end, into your digestive tract.
During a gastroscopy, this flexible instrument (a gastroscope or endoscope) is inserted down your throat and into your oesophagus. The gastroscope produces video images of the inside of your upper digestive tract. It’s sometimes called an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or a oesophaghogastricduodenoscopy (OGD).
A referral letter from a consultant or GP is required before booking any diagnostic investigation.
What does a gastroscopy look for?
A gastroscopy can help diagnose and monitor a range of conditions, including:
- Anaemia — low blood iron levels
- Cancer
- Digestive conditions — this includes:
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Polyps — non-cancerous growths that can later become cancerous
Your doctor may recommend you have a gastroscopy if you have:
- Abdominal pain
- Bleeding
- Blood in your stools or black stools
- Chronic (long-term) indigestion and/or heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Unexplained weight loss and/or vomiting
During a gastroscopy, small tissue samples (biopsies) can also be collected via instruments passed through the gastroscope. These biopsies will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis.
A gastroscopy can also be used to treat certain conditions by passing instruments through the gastroscope. Therapeutic gastroscopies can be used to:
- Remove objects that are stuck in your throat
- Remove polyps or other small growths
- Stop bleeding from swollen veins (varices) or stomach ulcers
- Widen a narrow oesophagus
Gastroscopy procedure
Gastroscopy preparation
We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.
Your doctor or nurse will advise you on what preparation you’ll need to do for your gastroscopy, as well as tell you what will happen before, during and after.
You shouldn’t eat or drink anything for a few hours before your procedure so your doctor can see your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum clearly.
During a gastroscopy
At Spire Healthcare, a gastroscopy usually takes around 10-30 minutes, although you will likely be in hospital for several hours. Your gastroscopy will be performed by a doctor or a nurse specially trained in the procedure (an endoscopist).
Your clinician might use a spray to numb your throat. You’ll be able to breathe comfortably as the tube will not be fed through your windpipe. Sedation is given as an injection at the start of your procedure and will help relax you but will also make you feel drowsy.
You’ll be given a mouth guard to hold your mouth open and to protect your teeth. The gastroscope will then be gently passed down your throat. Gas may be passed through the gastroscope into your stomach to allow a better view.
A tissue sample (biopsy) may also be taken and sent to a laboratory for further investigation.
After a gastroscopy
If you haven’t had sedation, you can go home shortly after your gastroscopy. However, if you have had sedation, you’ll need to stay in hospital in a recovery room until the effects of the sedative start to wear off. You can leave once you feel ready, which is usually after around an hour. However, you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours. You won’t be able to drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours either.
If you had a local anaesthetic spray, you won’t be able to eat or drink until its effects wear off, which usually takes around an hour.
Where to get a private gastroscopy
Almost all of our hospitals offer gastroscopy. Our fast diagnostics mean you don’t have to wait long for your results. Find your nearest Spire hospital.
How long does a gastroscopy take?
A gastroscopy to investigate or diagnose a condition often takes less than 15 minutes. If you’re having therapeutic gastroscopy to treat a condition, it can take longer. In either case, you can expect to be in hospital for several hours.
If you have had sedation, you’ll need to wait in hospital for an hour or so until you start to recover from its effects and you will need to avoid driving or operating machinery for 24 hours.
Gastroscopy results
A healthcare professional trained in gastroscopies will carry out your procedure. They may be able to tell you the results straight away, or they’ll send a report to the doctor who requested your gastroscopy.
If a biopsy was taken, it can take a few days to get the results from the laboratory. We try to get your results back to you as soon as possible, so less waiting means less worrying.
Gastroscopy side effects and risks
A gastroscopy is a relatively safe test, with few people developing complications. However, as with any procedure, there is always a small risk of complications — this is more likely if your gastroscopy is used for treatment, rather than for diagnosis.
If you have a sedative, you may develop breathing or heart problems although this is not common. However, you will be closely monitored for an hour or so after your procedure and if any complications arise from the sedative, they can be treated swiftly with medication.
You may experience some bloating for a few hours after your gastroscopy, as well as a sore throat for a few days. If you had a biopsy taken, you may experience a small amount of bleeding.
Occasionally, the gastroscope may damage the lining of your oesophagus, stomach or duodenum causing some bleeding, infection or in rare cases, a tear.
There is also a small chance of developing a chest infection from breathing in spit while your throat is numb and damage to your teeth from biting the mouth guard used during the procedure.
At Spire Healthcare, we’re careful to weigh up the benefits and risks of any endoscopy and discuss it with you if you have any concerns.
Frequently asked questions
What do you do after a gastroscopy?
If you have had sedation for your gastroscopy, you will need to remain in hospital for an hour or so. You will be monitored for any complications from the sedative. You can then return home but will not be able to drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours. It is also recommended that someone stay with you until the effects of the sedative wear off, which usually takes 24 hours.
If you haven’t had a sedative, after your gastroscopy, you can return to your normal activities. However, if a local anaesthetic spray was used to numb your throat you won’t be able to eat or drink until it wears off, usually in around an hour.
What can you eat after a gastroscopy?
If a local anaesthetic spray was used to numb your throat, you won’t be able to eat or drink anything for around an hour ie until the anaesthetic wears off. You may also have a sore throat for a few days, so you may want to avoid eating anything too spicy, dry or crunchy. You may also want to avoid fizzy drinks until your throat feels better.
The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.
Get in touch
Sources
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/tests/gastroscopy
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gastroscopy/risks/
https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/gi/having-a-gastroscopy.pdf
https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/digestive-gut-health/gastroscopy