Gastroenterology Consultations

Your doctor will take a detailed history and perform a physical examination. Your doctor will also organise supplemental examinations, which may include endoscopic investigations such as gastroscopy and/or colonoscopy, imaging tests such as abdominal ultrasound, CT or MRI.

Procedures we may arrange include:

• Gastroscopy

• Colonoscopy

• Abdominal Ultrasound

• Pillcam Investigation

• CT Scan

• MRI

Gastroscopy is a procedure in which a thin flexible tube with a camera at the end is used to examine the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and first part of the small bowel (duodenum). Sedation is provided to the patient to ensure minimal discomfort for the patient. 

Gastroscopy can help investigate the cause of many symptoms and signs, including heartburn, difficulty swallowing, upper abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, iron deficiency, anaemia, unexplained nausea, vomiting or weight loss.

Most procedures may include the taking of biopsies (tissue samples) for further analysis. Sometimes the procedure is used for dilating (stretching) a narrowed portion of the oesophagus, or for the removal of polyps (abnormal growths) found during the examination.

The recovery time post-procedure is very quick, and most patients will be able to return home within two hours of the procedure’s completion. Due to the sedative medications administered to the patient during the procedure, it is recommended that the patients do not drive themselves home, but has somebody to pick him/her up after the procedure. 

Colonoscopy is a procedure in which a thin flexible tube with a camera at the end is used to examine the lining of the large bowel. Sedation is provided to the patient to ensure minimal discomfort for the patient. 

A colonoscopy is a safe and effective way to evaluate problems such as blood in the stool, changes in bowel habit, abdominal pain, anaemia or unexplained weight loss. It is also performed for individuals with a high risk of bowel cancer from family history.

To allow the best possible views at colonoscopy, the bowel needs to be well cleansed. It is important that you follow the instructions closely and prepare yourself adequately as the quality of the procedure depends on the quality of the bowel preparation. The written instructions for your bowel preparation are included [ please insert link] You can purchase the laxative from a pharmacy without a prescription.

 During colonoscopy, the doctor gently guides the camera into the large intestine until it joins the small intestine. It is then slowly withdrawn by the doctor, allowing the doctor to carefully examine the large intestine. Polyps (pre-cancerous growths) in the bowel are removed and sent for examination by a pathologist. Any abnormalities viewed can be further investigated by taking biopsies (tissues samples) for further analysis 

Due to the sedative medications administered to the patient during the procedure, it is recommended that the patients do not drive themselves home, but has somebody to pick him/her up after the procedure.