The Gastroscopy Procedure And What It Entails
A gastroscopy which is also known as an upper endoscopy is a specialized procedure for examining the upper part of the digestive system, including the throat, esophagus, and stomach. See more: https://www.andrea-digestive-clinic.com/gastroscopy/.
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This procedure is typically performed to diagnose the cause of symptoms like difficulty swallowing, persistent indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting (including vomiting blood), or black, tarry stools, which may indicate bleeding in the digestive tract. Also, a gastroscopy can be used for therapeutic purposes, such as widening a narrowed esophagus, stopping bleeding, removing growths, or placing a feeding tube.
It can also be used to detect certain types of cancer, including stomach and esophageal cancer, by taking a biopsy during the procedure. The biopsy sample is then examined for the presence of cancer cells.
This article explores what you can and what you cannot do after your gastroscopy in Singapore. Keep reading!
Can You Walk After The Gastroscopy?
Following your gastroscopy in Singapore, you will want to avoid anything that may increase your risks of complications. That said, it is natural if you’re wondering: can you walk after a gastroscopy? See the answer below:
Walking after a gastroscopy is generally safe and can help with your recovery process. So, after a gastroscopy, you can walk and go home once you feel comfortable. However, if you were given sedation, you would want to have someone accompany you and stay with you overnight.
For the next 24 hours, it’s recommended to rest quietly at home after sedation. Here is a quick summary of what not to do after gastroscopy:
- Avoid eating sour or acidic foods: Lemons, mangoes, grapefruits, and other sour foods can increase stomach acid production. This action is likely to irritate your stomach lining after a gastroscopy. Also, pickled or fermented foods can be problematic as they may contain high levels of acidity, leading to discomfort and indigestion.
- Limit high-fat foods: High-fat foods, like sausages and canned or frozen prepared foods, can be difficult for your stomach to digest, especially when it’s still recovering from the procedure. These foods can also increase the risk of stomach irritation, which can delay your recovery.
- Stay away from sweets and carbonated drinks: Sugary foods and carbonated beverages can irritate your stomach lining and hinder the healing process. The excess sugar in these foods can increase stomach acid production which can cause discomfort and potentially slow down the healing of any minor injuries caused by the gastroscopy.
- Avoid stimulants: Alcohol, beer, tobacco, and coffee are all stimulants that can increase stomach acid production and irritate your stomach lining. After a gastroscopy in Singapore, your stomach needs time to recover. So, it’s best to avoid these substances to prevent any complications.
- Don’t make important decisions: The sedation or anesthesia used during a gastroscopy can affect your judgment and decision-making skills. So, you will need to wait until you’re fully alert and recovered before making any significant decisions or signing legal documents to avoid any potential complications.
- Avoid driving or using heavy machinery: The sedation used during the gastroscopy can impair your coordination and reaction times, making it unsafe for you to drive or operate heavy machinery. It’s best to wait until you’re fully recovered before engaging in these activities to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
- Don’t take sedatives or sleeping pills: After a gastroscopy, it’s important not to take any medications that can make you drowsy or affect your alertness. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills, as they can interfere with your body’s natural healing process and delay your recovery.
Are There Any Side Effects After A Gastroscopy?
Gastroscopy is a procedure for seeing inside the stomach, esophagus, and the first part of your small bowel. Because of how it is done you may wonder: are there any side effects after a gastroscopy?
After a gastroscopy, most people do not experience any significant side effects as the procedure is generally safe in the hands of qualified providers. However, there are potential side effects and risks that should not be overlooked. These include:
- Sore Throat: It’s common to have a slightly sore throat after a gastroscopy. This is a mild side effect that should resolve within a day or two after the procedure.
- Chest Infection: There is a slight risk of developing a chest infection after the procedure. However, this is only most likely to happen if you have a pre-existing respiratory condition.
- Bloating: Some people may feel bloated due to the air that is used to inflate the stomach during the procedure. This too is a mild side effect that usually resolves quickly.
- Minor Bleeding: If a biopsy is taken or treatment is performed during the gastroscopy, there is a small risk of minor bleeding. This typically stops on its own.
- Tear in the Stomach Lining: Very rarely, the stomach lining may be torn during the procedure. If this happens, you will need to undergo surgery to repair it.
- Reactions to Sedative: There is a small risk of reacting the sedative used during the procedure. However, these reactions are rare.
- Incomplete Procedure: In some cases, the gastroscopy may not be completed successfully. Though rare, if this happens, the procedure may need to be repeated.
Please contact the hospital or your doctor’s office immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms after a gastroscopy:
- Fever
- Trouble swallowing
- Increasing throat, chest, or abdominal pain
- Any other symptoms that concern you
If you have any questions or need advice before or after the procedure, it’s best to consult your doctor. They can provide you with the information and support you need for a safe and successful gastroscopy.
The Bottom Line
After your gastroscopy, you should be able to walk naturally once you feel better. The only exception is you were under sedation for the procedure. In this case, you will want to arrange for someone to help you back home after your treatment.
Do you have any queries about gastroscopy in Singapore or wish to see a specialist for the procedure? Drop us a line today to schedule your appointment. See contact details below:
Andrea’s Digestive Clinic: Colon | Liver | Gallbladder | GERD | Acid Reflux Specialist
101 Irrawaddy Road #21-11/12
Royal Square Medical Centre
Singapore 329565
https://andrea-digestive-clinic.com/
+65 6264-2836
