Find out everything you need to know about preparing for a digestive endoscopy in this informative guide. This valuable procedure provides an internal view to diagnose various gastrointestinal conditions.
Discover the essential steps that precede endoscopy, ensuring accurate results and a smooth experience.
What is a high digestive endoscopy?
A high digestive endoscopy is a non-invasive and highly effective medical procedure that allows for direct evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract.
This procedure is performed through a flexible endoscope – a thin, flexible tube equipped with a camera at the tip – which is inserted through the patient’s mouth and gently navigated through the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, allowing the doctor to view real-time images of the interior of these organs.
This technique is crucial for diagnosing a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, including ulcers, inflammations, polyps, tumors, and lesions.
In addition, it allows for the collection of tissue samples through biopsies, aiding in determining the nature of the observed changes.
The accuracy of the procedure minimizes the need for more invasive ones, reducing risks and discomfort for patients.
Thanks to technological advances, digestive endoscopy can also be used to perform therapeutic procedures, such as the removal of polyps, hemostasis to control bleeding, and the dilation of narrowings of the digestive tract.
With this direct and detailed approach, it provides doctors with essential information for an objective diagnosis and the development of personalized treatment plans, contributing to gastrointestinal health and the overall well-being of patients.
Why is preparation important?
Preparation is a fundamental component in performing this examination, playing a crucial role in the success and effectiveness of the procedure.
The preparation stage aims to provide an ideal environment for the doctor to obtain clear and accurate images of the gastrointestinal tract, ensuring a thorough and reliable evaluation.
During preparation, patients are instructed to follow a series of specific guidelines, which may include fasting for a certain time before the procedure.
This is important to ensure that the stomach and intestines are empty, allowing an unobstructed view of the internal structures, in addition, they prevent stomach residues from refluxing into the airways, harming the patient.
Besides, preparation often involves cleaning the gastrointestinal tract, in order to remove any food residue or feces that may interfere with the quality of the images captured.
Rigorous adherence to preparation instructions is crucial to avoid inaccurate results due to obstructions or interferences.
When patients follow fasting and cleaning guidelines, the doctor can explore the gastrointestinal tract more easily and effectively, accurately identifying any abnormalities, which can result in more accurate diagnoses and targeted therapeutic interventions, if necessary.
Therefore, preparation before a digestive endoscopy is a vital step that maximizes the quality of the information obtained during the procedure.
By strictly following preparation instructions, patients contribute to obtaining reliable results and to the overall safety and effectiveness of the procedure.
What are the steps in preparing for a high digestive endoscopy?
Preparation for this procedure is a series of strategic steps aimed at ensuring a successful evaluation and reliable information about gastrointestinal health. Collaboration between patients and the medical team plays a significant role in achieving positive results and providing a safe and effective experience.
The first step in preparation usually involves detailed information provided to patients by the doctor or medical team.
Generally, patients are advised not to eat or drink anything for a specific period of time before endoscopy. This is done to ensure that the stomach and intestines are empty, allowing a clear view of the internal structures.
The medical team will provide detailed instructions on how to perform this cleaning effectively. Patients are also advised to inform the medical team about any medications they are taking, especially anticoagulants or others that may affect the procedure or sedation during the examination.
What are the dietary restrictions before the procedure?
Before undergoing a digestive endoscopy, it is essential to follow specific dietary restrictions to ensure that the procedure is successfully performed and that the images obtained are safe.
Dietary restrictions are designed to prepare the gastrointestinal tract, allowing an accurate assessment of the digestive system.
During the preparation period, patients are instructed to strictly adhere to the prescribed fasting, which generally means not consuming any solid or liquid food for a certain period before endoscopy.
Fasting is crucial to empty the stomach and intestines, avoiding obstructions that may impair the visibility of internal structures. There are also restrictions related to the intake of medications and colored liquids before the procedure.
This is to avoid any interference with the images captured by the endoscope. Patients may be instructed to avoid colored liquids or foods that may stain the gastrointestinal tract.
Remembering also that fasting also aims at the patient’s safety during the examination, preventing the contents of the stomach from refluxing into the airways, harming their breathing.
What are the post-procedure care?
After the completion of a digestive endoscopy, it is important to follow post-procedure care to ensure a smooth recovery. All these care aim to promote patient comfort and minimize any discomfort resulting from the procedure.
In the moments immediately after endoscopy, it is normal for patients to feel a slight discomfort in the throat or abdomen, due to the procedure performed. The symptoms decrease rapidly and are temporary. They may also still feel drowsy and confused, normal due to the sedation performed during the examination.
Avoiding the intake of solid foods or very hot liquids immediately after the procedure can help alleviate the feeling of discomfort in the throat. Patients may receive specific instructions on when to resume normal eating, depending on the nature of the procedure and medical guidelines.
Adequate hydration is crucial for a healthy recovery, so drinking clear and light liquids, such as water, tea, or broth, is recommended. Besides, it is advisable to avoid strenuous physical activities on the day of the procedure, allowing the body to rest and recover.
If any discomfort persists or if there are worrying symptoms, such as excessive bleeding or intense pain, it is important to contact the medical team immediately.
Post-procedure care may also require compliance with medical instructions regarding the use of prescribed medications and necessary follow-up.
In case of biopsies or other therapeutic procedures, doctors will provide information on how to proceed with the results and next steps.
It is essential that the patient is accompanied throughout the day after the examination, by a responsible adult, to ensure that if any complications occur, he is quickly assisted. It is also important to note that the patient should not work or perform activities that require attention after the examination, due to the sedation performed.
Therefore, following post-procedure care is essential to ensure a calm and uncomplicated recovery after a digestive endoscopy. Compliance with medical guidelines helps to maximize the benefits of the procedure and to ensure the patient’s ongoing health and well-being.
In summary, adequate preparation for digestive endoscopy is significant for accurate results. Compliance with medical guidelines for fasting, intestinal cleaning and suspension of medications is essential to ensure the effectiveness of the procedure.
Therefore, understanding the necessary steps and collaborating with health professionals ensures a smoother experience and reliable results in gastrointestinal evaluation.
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Doutor em Gastroenterologia pela FM-USP.
Especialista em Cirurgia do Aparelho Digestivo (HCFMUSP), Endoscopia Digestiva (SOBED) e Gastroenterologia (FBG).
Professor do curso de Medicina da Fundação Educacional do Município de Assis - FEMA.
Médico da clínica Gastrosaúde de Marília.