Swallowing a tube to check the stomach

The abbreviation FGDS stands for fibrogastroduodenoscopy. Doctors often prescribe this procedure with noticeable symptoms of discomfort, pain in the upper and middle epigastric region - that is, in stomach, in the upper intestine, approximately to the navel, where the main organs associated with the gastrointestinal path. Many people are afraid of the procedure because they believe that it is associated with pronounced discomfort and even pain. In fact, modern FGDS methods are sparing, and if properly prepared, they will not cause inconvenience.

When is FGDS performed

The procedure, which is popularly called "swallowing a tube", is prescribed by a gastroenterologist. As a rule, a preliminary examination is carried out first - visual, palpation, that is, palpation, collection of anamnesis - patient complaints, characteristics of his nutrition. The doctor must check for chronic diseases. FGDS remains at the moment the most effective diagnostic procedure, and can also act in some cases as a method of treating certain diseases.

Doctors recommend the procedure for the following symptoms:

1. Painful sensations in the epigastric region - from the esophagus to the navel, where the upper intestines are located.
2. Sensation of a foreign body, a lump in the esophagus, which lasts more than a week.
3. Intolerance to any food - meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, not associated with allergic manifestations and appeared relatively recently. Intolerance can manifest itself in the form of pain, discomfort after eating, belching, heartburn, heaviness.
4. Nausea on an empty stomach or after eating, unreasonable vomiting, not associated with one-time poisoning.
5. After blood tests, if anemia is detected and there are any symptoms associated with the gastrointestinal tract.
6. With non-dietary weight loss and a deliberate desire to lose weight.
7. In preparation for planned abdominal operations.

On a note! These are the standard rules for the appointment of FGDS. Since the procedure is considered one of the most "favorite" types of diagnostics of diseases gastrointestinal tract, there is no doubt: when the gastroenterologist visits the patient to this event.

Regular FGDS

In some cases, EGD or tube swallowing is done regularly. The indications for carrying out a diagnostic measure are serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, tumors, surgical interventions and monitoring the patient's condition. The planned procedure is included in the program of annual or more frequent medical examination in the following cases:

Disease	Image	Check frequency
Erosive gastritis, stomach ulcer	Erosive gastritis	Once a year
Removal of part of the stomach, bariatric surgery	Removing part of the stomach	Once a year
Stomach cancer in remission	Stomach cancer	Twice a year, together with the analysis for tumor markers
Removal of benign tumors, polyps	Removal of polyps	Every three months during the first year after surgery

Therapeutic function of FGDS

The tube swallowing procedure can be performed for more than diagnostic purposes. It is worth noting that it is rarely prescribed directly for the purpose of performing surgery. As a rule, medical procedures are carried out in conjunction with an examination of the state of the gastrointestinal tract. FGDS helps:

1. Remove polyps - modern technology of diagnostic procedures allows this event to be carried out in conjunction with an examination.
2. Find a neoplasm and remove it - in whole or in part. The material will be sent for biopsy.
3. Conduct coagulation when an ulcer is opened - that is, stopping bleeding.
4. Perform clipping for bariatric surgery.

On a note! Since EGD is considered a harmless medical intervention compared to abdominal operations, many modern doctors give preference for this method of medical procedures, allowing at the same time to conduct a complete examination of the internal organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

Contraindications for FGDS

Any medical intervention has its own contraindications. FGDS is no exception. In some cases, the decision to carry out or prohibit the procedure will depend on the necessity and on the prevalence of the benefit to the patient over the possible risks to his health. Other prohibitions are mandatory, then swallowing the tube can be replaced by ultrasound or other diagnostic measures.

The main contraindications are as follows:

1. Acute hypertension is a partial contraindication. A heart attack or stroke in the first few days is complete.
2. Severe condition of the patient, extensive blood loss, including internal bleeding.
3. The presence of neurological and mental diseases with the inability of the patient to control himself. Many doctors list epilepsy when seizures occur frequently.
4. Severe bronchial asthma.

In critical conditions for the patient, the procedure can be carried out even despite the presence of contraindications. Separately, it should be noted that fear of the procedure, including susceptibility to panic attacks, is not a reason for canceling a medical appointment.

Video - How the examination is carried out

What does EGDS detect?

It is not for nothing that the diagnostic procedure enjoys well-deserved popularity among gastroenterologists. It really helps to detect almost all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, moreover, even in the initial stage. This is especially important for the early diagnosis of such serious ailments as cancer, stomach and duodenal ulcers. The event helps to detect:

1. Gastrointestinal neoplasms - from harmless polyps to oncology.
2. Erosive gastritis, gastritis with high and low acidity.
3. Reflux esophagitis is a common condition in the esophagus.
4. Dilation of the gastric veins, which indicates possible cirrhosis of the liver.
5. Stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer.

Additionally, the procedure helps to assess how food moves through the stomach, that is, to indirectly diagnose other organs - the pancreas, liver and gallbladder, the peripheral nervous system, which is responsible for the gastric motor skills.

How do I prepare for the procedure?

Learning that they have to swallow a tube to examine the stomach, many people begin to seriously panic. They imagine an extremely painful and unpleasant procedure during which it is impossible to refrain from vomiting, and the sensation of a foreign body will cause serious pain. In fact, modern equipment is designed to minimize negative feelings. But for effective diagnosis and reduction of discomfort, it is necessary to properly prepare for EGD.

1. The doctor who prescribes the procedure will definitely prescribe medications to reduce the sensitivity of the esophagus and stomach. They will need to be taken before the FGDS. If you are already taking any pills, tell your doctor about it in order to optimally coordinate drug therapy.
2. For two to three days, all medications are canceled if possible.
3. The procedure is usually scheduled in the morning. The last meal should take place no later than half a day before EGDS.
4. Chewing gum should not be chewed.
5. Smokers are not allowed to smoke for seven to eight hours before the procedure, so as not to provoke excessive formation of gastric juice.

If the rules of preparation are not followed, nausea, vomiting, painful sensations are possible. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully follow all preliminary recommendations.

How is FGDS carried out?

The procedure begins with the patient's written consent. This stage scares many, but in fact, it is nothing more than a legal formality. Under modern medical laws, consent is required for any "intrusion."

The patient is then asked to remove their outer clothing, sometimes it is suggested to completely undress in order to change into a special hospital gown, which is clean on the one hand, and on the other - not a pity get dirty.

The next step is anesthesia. This is why all the stories of terrible pain are not particularly believable. The doctors performing the procedure do not need the patient to experience discomfort, and the gag reflex is completely capable of interfering with the EGD, at the same time distorting all the results. Therefore, the patient is sprayed with lidocaine in the throat and the entrance to the esophagus, or given a pill with a similar action of falimint.

Next, you need to lie on the couch in a special position: on your side, your hands are placed on your chest or on your stomach. After that, the doctor will ask you to clamp your teeth with a rather voluminous tube made of hard plastic. You don't need to be intimidated by it: this is not the probe itself, but a protective mouthpiece that protects the thin rubber wire from accidental biting.

The fiberscope is a thin elastic wire. The doctor brings it to the root of the tongue, the patient only has to make a swallowing movement. Then they ask to lie still, not to move. As the probe is immersed, the discomfort will diminish because irritation and gag reflexes are more common in the esophagus than in the stomach and upper GI tract.

When the fiberscope reaches the duodenum, the nausea should stop completely. On the other hand, this is the last "stage" of the check: first comes the esophagus, then the stomach, and only then the intestines. Inside the probe, there is a slight itching or scratching. Patients describe the sensation as uncomfortable but not painful and quite easily tolerated.

The procedure takes from five minutes with a simple examination to half an hour if you need to take a piece of tissue for a biopsy or remove a polyp. The probe is pulled out with the same care so as not to damage the walls of the intestines, stomach and esophagus.

Possible complications

The procedure is considered safe, but sometimes unforeseen situations arise. Doctors note that they are most often associated with improper behavior of the patient himself - eating before swallowing the probe, restless behavior during the examination by means of EGD. The most common problems that occur are:

• damage to the walls of the stomach or esophagus - especially dangerous with severe ulceration or bleeding tumors;
• bleeding in the esophagus;
• getting an infection.

All complications are extremely rare, but the patient will still be warned to monitor their condition for two to three days. If vomiting occurs, especially with blood, chills or fever, tarry stools, you should immediately go to the hospital.

Video - About the FGDS procedure

What do the reviews say?

Fibrogastroduodenoscopy is an extremely common procedure. People who endured her report that they feared much more than she deserved. Unpleasant urge to vomit is alleviated by anesthetic drugs, pain is practically excluded even during removal of polyps and small tumors. Patients note that in the first minutes after swallowing the probe, it is a little hard to breathe, but this sensation quickly passes. In any case, people who have undergone EGDS agree, the benefits of a diagnostic and treatment procedure justify all possible unpleasant effects.