1. Acid Reflux
2. Testing for H.Pylori
3. Abdominal pain
4. Celiac Disease
5. Dark or Black stools
6. Anemia
Top 6 Reasons You Need A Gastroscopy:
– Acid Reflux:
This can feel like a burning sensation in the back of your throat, and in your chest. Many people experience burning before or after their meals, and at night. This can be very painful, and even feel like a heavy pressure in your chest. Once you have checked with your GP for any potential cardiac issues, you can consider a gastroscopy that can visualize any peptic ulcers, and test for H.Pylori.
– Testing for H.Pylori:
Helicobacter Pylori is a bacteria that can live in your stomach for years without any symptoms. The presence of this bacteria can increase your risk of stomach cancer six fold. H. Pylori goes completely undetected unless specifically tested for. The UBT (Urea Breath Test) and blood tests are effective ways of testing for H. Pylori with a sensitivity of about 85%. The serology (blood test), however, does not reliably distinguish between an active/inactive infection phase. A biopsy taken from the stomach during a gastroscopy is considered the gold standard for accurately diagnosing your H. Pylori.
– Abdominal pain:
This is one of the most common symptoms of anyone seeking medical advice. A gastroscopy can check for gastroesophageal cancers or precancers, H. Pylori, esophagitis, gastritis, hiatal hernias, peptic and duodenal ulcers, and Celiac Disease.
– Celiac Disease:
More and more people have trouble digesting gluten. Symptoms can include: loose stools/diarrhea or constipation, flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, lethargy/fatigue. A simple biopsy taken from the duodenum will show whether or not you have Celiac disease.
– Dark or Black stools:
A common symptom of an upper or high gastrointestinal bleed is melena, also described as black, tarry stools. This can be caused by bleeding ulcers, a severe gastritis/esophagitis or gastric cancers.
– Anemia:
A gastroscopy may also be effective in finding a reason for your anemia.