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Do you have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)? The symptoms may be so obvious that that you won't need any tests. However, if the doctor is in doubt, or if the symptoms are very troublesome, he or she might recommend a gastroscopy or upper endoscopy (commonly known as “swallowing the camera”).
This is to establish whether or not you have oesophagitis, hiatus hernia, peptic ulcer and other conditions.
A gastroscopy is an examination of the inside of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The doctor passes a thin, flexible instrument into your mouth. This allows the doctor to see whether there is any damage to the lining of the oesophagus or stomach and whether there are any ulcers in your stomach or duodenum.
The procedure is painless and performed under a light sedative. You'll need to have it done in a hospital or clinic as a day patient or in the specialist’s rooms. If you're sedated, you won't be able to drive or operate machinery for the rest of the day.
Other diagnostic procedures include a barium swallow, a 24-hour oesophageal study and an oesophageal manometry. The last test is usually reserved for patients in whom the diagnosis is unclear or in whom surgery is being considered and will help to determine how well the sphincter is functioning.
Other conditions that can give you similar symptoms:
• Gallstones: These are best diagnosed with an ultrasound scan.
• Ulcers: These may occur in the stomach or the duodenum or oesophagus. They may give symptoms similar to GORD. Occasionally, they may rupture or bleed, leading to severe pain. They can be diagnosed by gastroscopy.
• Heart pain: Angina is pain due to heart strain. It usually comes on while you're exercising. If angina becomes more severe, then the pain can come on at rest as well. If the pain goes down the arm then a doctor should be contacted immediately.
• Gastritis: Generalised inflammation of the stomach lining may be caused by an aspirin for pain or anti-inflammatory drugs.
This is to establish whether or not you have oesophagitis, hiatus hernia, peptic ulcer and other conditions.
A gastroscopy is an examination of the inside of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The doctor passes a thin, flexible instrument into your mouth. This allows the doctor to see whether there is any damage to the lining of the oesophagus or stomach and whether there are any ulcers in your stomach or duodenum.
The procedure is painless and performed under a light sedative. You'll need to have it done in a hospital or clinic as a day patient or in the specialist’s rooms. If you're sedated, you won't be able to drive or operate machinery for the rest of the day.
Other diagnostic procedures include a barium swallow, a 24-hour oesophageal study and an oesophageal manometry. The last test is usually reserved for patients in whom the diagnosis is unclear or in whom surgery is being considered and will help to determine how well the sphincter is functioning.
Other conditions that can give you similar symptoms:
• Gallstones: These are best diagnosed with an ultrasound scan.
• Ulcers: These may occur in the stomach or the duodenum or oesophagus. They may give symptoms similar to GORD. Occasionally, they may rupture or bleed, leading to severe pain. They can be diagnosed by gastroscopy.
• Heart pain: Angina is pain due to heart strain. It usually comes on while you're exercising. If angina becomes more severe, then the pain can come on at rest as well. If the pain goes down the arm then a doctor should be contacted immediately.
• Gastritis: Generalised inflammation of the stomach lining may be caused by an aspirin for pain or anti-inflammatory drugs.
