Endoscopy
An endoscopy is a medical test or procedure using an endoscope – a thin, flexible tube passed into the body. It usually has a small light and camera attached so we can see effectively and investigate possible causes of symptoms.
You might hear this referred to as an upper (gastrointestinal) endoscopy or an oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD). During a gastroscopy, we pass an endoscope through the mouth and down the oesophagus (food pipe) to help diagnose gastric problems. We describe the procedure in detail in our blog: What is the procedure for an endoscopy?
Overview | Need | Purpose | Benefits of private | Video FAQs | FAQs
Need
The type of endoscopy we recommend will depend on your symptoms. The severity of your symptoms and how long you’ve had them will help us determine which problem you are likely experiencing.
Common symptoms requiring an upper endoscopy include:
- Swallowing problems
- Bitter or metallic taste
- Repeated abdominal pain
- Chest pain and discomfort
- Acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion
- Vomiting blood or signs of blood in your poo
- Frequently feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting)
The aforementioned symptoms can have many causes, though we frequently diagnose the below conditions after upper endoscopy.
- Gastritis
- Peptic ulcer
- Functional heartburn
- Barrett’s oesophagus
- Oesophageal strictures
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Less common causes include achalasia, eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) and oesophageal cancer.
Purpose
We use endoscopy to collect tissue samples (a biopsy) for testing in a lab. We can also perform minimally invasive exploratory tasks or treatments. These can include
- Stopping gastrointestinal bleeding
- Attaching devices, such as a 96-hour pH capsule (BRAVO)
- Stretching the oesophagus to treat oesophageal narrowing (endoscopic dilatation)
- Carrying out radio-wave therapies, including stretta and HALO radiofrequency ablation
- Removing suspected cancerous lesions, polyps, or abnormal tissue caused by Barrett’s oesophagus
Although you might find a gastroscopy uncomfortable, it is much less complex than open surgery. After your endoscopy, you may have a minor sore throat for up to two days. We will place you in a recovery room until the sedation wears off if we sedated you. You should have your results in under two weeks.
Benefits of going private
Seeing a private gastroenterologist (digestive health specialist) for your symptoms means quicker and more convenient appointment times. Avoid long waiting lists on the NHS and receive an earlier diagnosis.
An earlier diagnosis means we can start treatment sooner and ease your symptoms. This means we can also prevent your problem from becoming a more serious concern. Private treatment also comes with a guarantee of high-quality care.
Our specialists also have more time to give and will tailor their treatment plan to your needs. To hear the experiences of others, read our patient testimonials.
Watch our videos below from Dr Sarmed Sami, our Director and Consultant Gastroenterologist. He explains some of our frequently asked questions on endoscopy.
Book a consultation
Our specialists are experts in endoscopic procedures. Dr Sami has completed a prestigious national endoscopy fellowship, resulting in a PhD in novel endoscopic imaging techniques.
Book a consultation to learn how you may benefit from a private endoscopy.