Gastroscopy 

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Introduction 

Endoscopy

Find out what an endoscopy procedure is, what happens and how you can prepare yourself for it.

A gastroscopy is a medical procedure during which a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope is used to look inside the stomach. It is also known as an endoscopy.

The endoscope has a light and a camera on one end. The camera is used to relay images of the inside of your body to a television monitor.

A gastroscopy is a very common procedure. More than half a million gastroscopies are performed by the NHS each year in England.

These pages focus on a gastroscopy, specifically. Read more about other types of endoscopy.

Why you might need a gastroscopy

A gastroscopy may be recommended if you have symptoms that suggest a problem with the stomach. This could be difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or persistent abdominal pain. The procedure can help to diagnose the underlying cause of these symptoms.

A gastroscopy can also be used to treat various problems of the gut. Doctors can pass tiny tools down the endoscope to:

  • repair bleeding ulcers and veins
  • widen the oesophagus if there are blockages
  • provide nutrition if you are unable to eat food in the normal way
  • remove non-cancerous growths (polyps) or early-stage cancerous tumours

Read more about why a gastroscopy may be necessary.

What happens during a gastroscopy?

A gastroscopy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure so you will not have to spend the night in hospital.

It is often carried out under sedation, which means you will not be asleep during the procedure but you will be very drowsy and have little awareness of what is going on. Alternatively, your throat can be numbed with a local anaesthetic spray.

The doctor carrying out the procedure will place the endoscope in the back of your mouth and you will be asked to swallow the first part of the tube. The endoscope is then guided down your oesophagus and into your stomach.

A gastroscopy can take around 20-40 minutes to perform.

Read more about how a gastroscopy is performed.

Risks

A gastroscopy is a very safe procedure and serious complications such as infection or internal bleeding are rare, occurring in only around 1 in 1,000 cases.

Read more about the possible risks associated with a gastroscopy.

Last reviewed: 11/11/2011

Next review due: 11/11/2013

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

libby55 said on 28 January 2013

Today I had a gastroscopy at West Suffolk Hospital. I was nervous but opted just for the throat spray as I needed to go straight back to work. All the staff were lovely . Very reassuring - and there were 4 people in attendance. Holding my hand , encouraging me and giving me a rundown on what was happening all the time. The spray tasted a bit like nasty bananas but hey - no big deal. There was no pain altho it was a bit uncomfortable. Briefly gagging initially and lots of belching throughout due to the air that is pumped in to the stomach. But it was over and done in five minutes and I was up and off back to work. I would say, dont worry about it. Its really not bad at all. Thanks to all the staff who were really kind.

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Mufters said on 24 January 2013

I have had both gastroscopy and colonoscopy. I was very nervous for both. I tried to follow the doctors instructions and relax and managed both without sedation. However the gastroscopy, whilst not painful, was very uncomfortable due to the gagging reflex and I had to focus hard on my breathing to try to blot it out. However, the colonoscopy, in my opinion, was a piece of cake and it would not worry me to have to undergo it again. Hope this helps to reassure someone going through it.

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6b7o2w4z said on 04 January 2013

My worst fears were confirmed yesterday when I had a combined Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy.I was supposed to have a throat spray with sedation and painkilling injection for the Gastroscopy and sedation and a painkilling injection for the Colonoscopy.After reminding the doctor--who had not greeted me when I came into the room,but was busy on the phone --that I was supposed to have a throat spray too when he over to me, he then gave me minuscule 2 sprays which did nothing to the back of my throat and he gave all the injections in one go,I fell asleep briefly only to wake in pain when the scope was pressing against the left side of my throat and I was gagging from then on until the job was done.The other procedure was also extremely painful and I was awake for all of that,I have a polyp in the colon which I saw on the screen but the doctor lost it before he could excise it so I have to have another procedure in 6 months time---GREAT.I do not feel I was treated in a compassionate way and will never have another Gastroscopy.What is the point in sorting out a patients choices and wishes before hand when it's completely ignored by the Endoscopist . The nursing staff were all very nice I hasten to say and tried to help me when in pain.

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JonnyPop said on 19 December 2012

I had a gastroscopy performed recently and it really was nothing to worry about. Beforehand, I was really dreading the procedure - the idea of having a tube shoved down my throat was almost too much to bear.

However, thanks to opting for the general anesthetic (something I highly recommend for those who hold a similar fear to myself), the entire ordeal was completely pain free (with the exception of some mild stomach cramping a few hours later). I literally remember nothing apart from the obligatory small talk with the doctor as the drugs kicked in and knocked me out. I woke up feeling really drowsy and disorientated yet surprisingly euphoric.

Knowing that I don't have to be conscious for the procedure, I'd happily have another gastroscopy performed should I ever require one.

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sonseyface said on 18 July 2012

I have just had my Gastroscopy today 18 July 2012 and I was terrified at the thought of having it done. I have to say that I had nothing to worry about. The worst part of the whole procedure was the numbing throat spray. They do three sprays on the tongue then ask you to swallow (it tastes like fish and bannana to me), then they repeat it three times. The sensation of not being able to swallow is quite scary, until you remember that you can still breathe through the nose without any problems. I had sedation, so I actually remember being awake but remember nothing. I would have no fear about having this done again....... if I really had to!

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Steve1966 said on 10 July 2012

I had a Gastroscopy at The Great Western on Monday 9th July 2012. All I want to say to people reading this is that this procedure is nothing at all to fear. I had the spray and that was supposed to taste like banana but I am sure it was battery acid. The whole procedure took less than ten minutes. You do gag a little but I never felt as though I was going to choke or be sick. I cannot commend the team at The Great Western in Swindon highly enough. They can tell you are nervous and they do their utmost to put you at ease. I have read horror stories about this procedure on other sites but believe me, there is nothing at all to it.

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