Overview

If you have an issue with the upper part of your digestive system, a gastroscopy can help us diagnose it.

A gastroscopy is a test to check inside your:

• food pipe (oesophagus)
• stomach
• small intestine

We use a flexible tube with a small camera on the end to see inside your body. This is called an endoscope.

There are 2 ways of doing a gastroscopy:

• through your nose – this is sometimes called a transnasal endoscopy (TNE)
• if we cannot do a gastroscopy through your nose, we'll do it through your mouth – this is sometimes called an oesophago-gastro duodenoscopy (OGD)

If needed, we can take a small tissue sample (biopsy) with the endoscope. We send this to a lab for testing.  

Benefits of a gastroscopy

You might have been referred for this procedure because you have:

• pain in your upper tummy (abdomen)
• difficulty swallowing or feeling like there’s a lump in your throat
• indigestion or heartburn that keeps coming back
• signs of bleeding in your stomach or bowels, such if your poo is black
• a lack of iron (anaemia)
• been sick (vomited)
• lost weight unintentionally

A gastroscopy can help to find out what’s causing your symptoms. We can use it to diagnose:

• ulcers
• inflammation
• infection
• helicobacter pylori – a bacteria in the stomach that can cause ulcers, gastritis and gastric cancer
• causes of anaemia
• coeliac disease (inability to digest gluten)
• cancer

A gastroscopy can also help to monitor health conditions that have already been diagnosed, such as an ulcer or Barrett's oesophagus. 

Risks of a gastroscopy

A gastroscopy is a common and safe procedure. Like all procedures, there are some risks.

We’ll discuss the risks with you before you decide to have a gastroscopy. Talk to us if you have any concerns.

Common side effects

The most common side effects are:

• a sore throat
• a sore nose
• a nosebleed
• bloating
• stomach pain

These side effects usually go away on their own.

Rare side effects

There is a risk of fluid from your stomach going into your lungs (aspiration). This can cause a chest infection. If you get an infection, you’ll need antibiotics.

Serious complications are rare. Sometimes the endoscope can damage the lining of the oesophagus, stomach or intestine. If this happens, there’s a chance of getting an infection.

1 in 5,000 people get bleeding in the oesophagus, stomach or intestine.

1 in 10,000 people get a tear in the oesophagus, stomach or intestine.

If this happens to you, you might need to stay in hospital, have a blood transfusion or have surgery to treat the problem.

Allergic reactions

You might be allergic to the medicine we use during the gastroscopy. This includes a local anaesthetic spray or sedation medicine.

Tell us if you’ve had an allergic reaction to local anaesthetic or sedation before.

Pain relief options

Putting the tube into your nose or mouth can feel uncomfortable. We offer some medicines to help you feel more comfortable during the gastroscopy.

Gastroscopy through your nose (TNE)

We use an endoscope tube that is thinner than your little finger. We’ll offer you a nose and throat spray. This is a local anaesthetic that numbs the area so you do not feel any pain.

A gastroscopy through your nose is usually done with local anaesthetic spray only. If you think you need sedation instead, contact us.

Gastroscopy through your mouth (OGD)

We use a thicker tube when we do a gastroscopy through your mouth. This can be slightly more uncomfortable.

You can choose to have either:

• a local anaesthetic spray to make your throat numb
• sedation – this is an injection that makes you feel relaxed and calm

We do not offer general anaesthetic (medicine that puts you to sleep) for this procedure.

If you have the local anaesthetic spray:

• you can leave hospital immediately after the procedure
• you do not need a family member or friend to pick you up from hospital
• you can take public transport or drive by yourself
• you can go back to work quickly

If you have sedation:

• you must ask an adult to pick you up from hospital and stay with you for 24 hours after the procedure
• you must stay in hospital for at least 30 minutes after the procedure
• you might feel confused or dizzy
• you might have short-term memory loss – this means you might not remember what happened during the procedure

Read more about recovering from sedation.

Giving your permission (consent)

We want you to be involved in your care and treatment. We’ll ask for your consent before doing the procedure. We’ll check that you agree to have the procedure and you understand what it involves. Please ask us if you have any questions.

Read more about our consent process.