THE MOST COMMON TESTS GASTROENTEROLOGISTS PERFORM AND WHAT TO EXPECT
If something seems off about your digestive system, your physician may send you to a gastroenterologist. This is an expert in the digestive system. The thought of medical tests may be daunting. But it becomes a lot more bearable when you know ahead of time what to anticipate. This guide should provide you with the answers, relief, and better understanding of what is happening in your body.
Endoscopy (Upper GI Scope)
This test uses a tiny flexible tube with a camera. It is painlessly inserted into your mouth and down your throat. It helps your doctor to examine parts like:
- The esophagus
- Stomach
- The first part of your small intestine.
Depending on the procedure, you are usually given a sedative. It helps you feel relaxed and sleepy. So, you will not recall much of it. It's all less than 20 minutes.
You may have a slightly sore throat afterward. But nothing too dramatic. Endoscopies are frequently performed to examine the following:
- Acid reflux damage
- Ulcers
- Stomach pain of unknown cause.
Colonoscopy
Are you over 45 or younger but have persistent digestive problems? Your Auckland gastroenterology doctor might suggest a colonoscopy. A camera is used to look into your entire colon and rectum. It is frightening. But the process is not difficult since you are very much asleep.
Preparing the day before is the most difficult part. You will use a special solution that will empty your colon. This will make it easier for the doctor to have a clear view. It is not enjoyable. But it is manageable.
The actual colonoscopy lasts around 30 minutes. Many patients wake up feeling groggy but glad that it is over. The test is crucial in identifying the following:
- Polyps
- Inflammation
- Early colon cancer.
Abdominal ultrasound
This one is totally painless. It is also non-invasive. An abdominal ultrasound is a sound-based procedure that produces images of the internal organs of your abdomen, such as your:
- Gallbladder
- Liver
- Pancreas.
During this procedure, you will be lying back. Then a technician smears your stomach with a warm gel. Then, they pass a small wand over it.
No sedation. No needles. No pain. Only a little bit of pressure. It is commonly done when physicians suspect:
- Gallstones
- A fatty liver disease
- The bile ducts are not functioning properly.
CT Scan or MRI
These are radiographic examinations. They provide clear images of your intestinal organs:
- A CT scan involves X-rays
- An MRI involves magnets.
At times, you will need to consume a contrasting fluid to aid in visualizing the images better.
All you do is lie there in the machine, and it does the photography. It is not painful. But the MRI may be rather noisy. The scans aid in locating the following:
- Inflammations
- Cysts
- Blockages
- Other structural problems.
Stool Tests and Blood Work
Not every test is high-tech. There are times when solutions are found in simple samples. Stool tests may show the presence of:
- Infections
- Inflammation
- Digestive diseases.
Blood tests can show:
- Anemia
- Liver issues
- Celiac disease indications.
They are fast and simple. Sometimes, these tests are the initial step to getting answers.
Concluding Remarks
Digestive testing can be frightening. But every test brings you clarity and comfort. Knowing what to expect makes you more confident.
- Posted by pradmin
- December 5, 2025
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