Contact Us

Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy, also known as upper-gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, is a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure that allows doctors to examine the lining of the oesophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).

This minimally invasive procedure is essential for diagnosing and managing various conditions affecting the upper digestive tract.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a chronic condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the oesophagus, causing irritation.

  • Causes: GORD is caused by the malfunctioning of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), which acts as a valve between the oesophagus and stomach. Factors contributing to this malfunction include obesity, pregnancy, smoking, certain medications, and consuming large meals or lying down after eating.
  • Symptoms: Common symptoms of GORD include heartburn, regurgitation of food or sour liquid, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and a sensation of a lump in the throat.
  • Risk Factors: Risk factors for GORD include hiatal hernia, obesity, pregnancy, smoking, delayed stomach emptying (gastroparesis), and certain dietary habits such as consuming fatty or fried foods, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol.
  • Treatment Options: Treatment for GORD may include lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss, dietary changes, and quitting smoking. Medications like antacids, H2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed. In severe cases, surgical options such as fundoplication may be considered. Gastroscopy is essential for diagnosing GORD, assessing the severity, and monitoring for complications like Barrett’s oesophagus.

Barrett’s oesophagus is a condition where the normal tissue lining the oesophagus changes to tissue resembling the lining of the intestine, often due to chronic acid exposure from GORD.

  • Causes: The primary cause of Barrett’s oesophagus is long-term GORD. Continuous exposure to stomach acid damages the oesophageal lining, leading to cellular changes.
  • Symptoms: Barrett’s oesophagus itself does not cause symptoms. However, individuals with this condition often have symptoms of GORD, such as chronic heartburn and regurgitation.
  • Risk Factors: Risk factors include chronic GORD, male gender, age over 50, Caucasian ethnicity, obesity, and smoking.
  • Treatment Options: Treatment focuses on managing GORD to prevent further damage. This includes lifestyle changes, medications, and regular monitoring through gastroscopy. In cases where there are precancerous changes (dysplasia), endoscopic therapies like radiofrequency ablation or endoscopic mucosal resection may be performed to remove or destroy the abnormal tissue.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) involves the formation of open sores or ulcers on the inner lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine.

  • Causes: The most common causes of peptic ulcers are infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other factors include excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and stress.
  • Symptoms: Symptoms of PUD include burning stomach pain, bloating, heartburn, nausea, and, in severe cases, vomiting blood or having black, tarry stools.
  • Risk Factors: Risk factors for PUD include H. pylori infection, frequent use of NSAIDs, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, stress, and a family history of ulcers.
  • Treatment Options: Treatment for PUD typically involves eradicating H. pylori with antibiotics, reducing stomach acid with medications such as PPIs and H2 receptor blockers, and protecting the stomach lining with medications like sucralfate. Lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding NSAIDs, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol intake, are also recommended. Gastroscopy is crucial for diagnosing PUD, assessing the extent of the ulcers, and taking biopsies to check for H. pylori.

Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining, which can be acute or chronic. It may be caused by several factors, including infections, medications, and lifestyle habits.

  • Causes: Common causes of gastritis include H. pylori infection, prolonged use of NSAIDs, excessive alcohol consumption, stress, and autoimmune disorders.
  • Symptoms: Symptoms of gastritis include upper abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and a feeling of fullness after eating.
  • Risk Factors: Risk factors for gastritis include H. pylori infection, frequent use of NSAIDs, excessive alcohol consumption, high-stress levels, autoimmune conditions, and older age.
  • Treatment Options: Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause. This may involve antibiotics for H. pylori infection, discontinuing NSAIDs, reducing stomach acid with PPIs or H2 receptor blockers, and lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol intake and managing stress. Gastroscopy is used to diagnose gastritis, evaluate its severity, and rule out other conditions.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It affects nutrient absorption and can cause various gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms.

  • Causes: Coeliac disease is caused by an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. This immune response damages the villi in the small intestine, impairing nutrient absorption.
  • Symptoms: Symptoms of coeliac disease include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, weight loss, fatigue, anaemia, and, in children, growth delays and failure to thrive.
  • Risk Factors: Risk factors for coeliac disease include a family history of the condition, other autoimmune disorders, and certain genetic markers (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8).
  • Treatment Options: The primary treatment for coeliac disease is a strict gluten-free diet, which helps heal the intestine and prevent further damage. Gastroscopy with biopsy is essential for diagnosing coeliac disease and monitoring the response to a gluten-free diet.

Oesophageal varices are enlarged veins in the lower oesophagus, often resulting from high blood pressure in the portal vein (portal hypertension) due to liver disease.

  • Causes: The primary cause of oesophageal varices is liver cirrhosis, which leads to increased pressure in the portal vein. This can be caused by chronic alcohol abuse, hepatitis infection, and other liver diseases.
  • Symptoms: Oesophageal varices do not cause symptoms unless they bleed. Symptoms of bleeding varices include vomiting blood, black or bloody stools, dizziness, and in severe cases, shock.
  • Risk Factors: Risk factors include chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B or C infection, heavy alcohol use, and conditions that cause blood clots in the portal vein.
  • Treatment Options: Treatment for oesophageal varices focuses on preventing bleeding and managing portal hypertension. This may involve medications to reduce blood pressure in the portal vein, endoscopic treatments like banding or sclerotherapy, and, in severe cases, surgical interventions such as a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Gastroscopy is crucial for diagnosing varices, assessing their risk of bleeding, and providing endoscopic treatment.

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. It can contribute to GORD and other digestive issues.

  • Causes: The exact cause of hiatal hernias is unknown, but factors such as age, obesity, and pressure on the abdomen from heavy lifting, coughing, or straining during bowel movements can contribute.
  • Symptoms: Symptoms of a hiatal hernia include heartburn, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and a feeling of fullness after eating.
  • Risk Factors: Risk factors include older age, obesity, smoking, and activities that increase abdominal pressure.
  • Treatment Options: Treatment options depend on the severity of symptoms and may include lifestyle modifications, medications to reduce stomach acid, and, in severe cases, surgery to repair the hernia. Gastroscopy can help diagnose a hiatal hernia and assess the extent of any associated damage.

Specialists in General Surgery & Endoscopy

Group practice of General Surgeons and Clinicians dedicated to improving patient health outcomes and quality of life on the South Coast.

Contact our friendly team if you have any questions, or to arrange an appointment.

Contact Us

Highly skilled group
of South Coast surgeons.

About Us

Services

Address

  • 45 Queen Streeet
    Moruya, NSW, 2573

Phone

Copyright © Eurbodalla, 2024