It Is Suitable For
· Those who want a comprehensive gastroscopy in Goyang.
· Those who have had bad experience with stomach pain.
· Those who are average-risk individuals aged 45 and above.
· Those with medical conditions like gastritis or peptic ulcers.
What is Gastrointestinal Tract Screening?
At our affiliated centre, gastrointestinal tract screening will mostly cover tests like gastroscopy and colonoscopy.
Gastroscopy is actually an examination of your stomach and it aims to confirm or rule out the presence of medical conditions like stomach ulcers or gastritis. Gastroscopy can sometimes be used to widen a narrowed oesophagus that causes pain or swallowing difficulties. These kind of conditions may be caused by GORD, oesophageal cancer or radiotherapy to the oesophagus.
Colonoscopy on the other hand is referred to an advanced technology that has evolved to provide a very clear image of your mucosa through a video camera attached at the end of the thin and flexible tube. This test enable visual examination of the entire large bowel area from the distal rectum to the cecum. Screening for colorectal cancer is among the major indication for colonoscopy.
What Happens During Gastrointestinal Tract Screening?
You will usually be administered with sedation or local anesthetic to ease the pain. During treatment, a thin flexible tube known as endoscope will be used to look up inside your oesophagus, stomach and small intestines. Endoscope has a light and a camera at its end and produce a live imaging to see the condition of your upper gastrointestinal area.
What are Included in Gastrointestinal Tract Screening?
General Package include:
1. CT Scan of Abdominal and Pelvic area
2. Gastroscopy (sedated)
3. Colonoscopy (sedated)
Advantages and Limitations of the Gastrointestinal Tract Screening
<Advantages>
· Safe procedure
· Effective tools
· Treats various gastrointestinal disorders
· Minimizes morbidity and mortality
<Limitations>
· Possible risks like infection, bleeding and reaction to sedation.
Pre and Post Care
Pre-procedure:
· You will be asked to clean out your colon by either following a special diet, take a laxative, using an enema kit or adjust your medication
Post-procedure:
· Ensure someone will drive you home after the treatment
· Walking may help relieve any discomfort when you feel bloated
· Eat small meals that consist of soft and easily digestible food like soups, eggs, puddings and etc for a couple of days
FAQ
Q1: Is gastroscopy the same as endoscopy?
A1: Both use the same instruments and can be enhanced with ultrasound to produce images. However, endoscopy will usually require general anesthesia while gastroscopy only require local anesthesia or sedation.
Q2: How often should I have gastroscopy?
A2: If the first screening is negative, recurrent periodic gastroscopy is not necessary. However, if the results might turn positive for Barrett's oesophagus, it is recommended that you have gastroscopy every 3 to 5 years.
Q3: Will there be any restrictions?
A3: Over the period of 24 to 48 hrs after treatment, only eat small meals that consist of soft and easily digestible food like soups, eggs, puddings and etc.
Q4: Is it normal to feel sick after treatment?
A4: You may have caught on a sore throat or stomach discomfort a few hrs after. Or you may feel bloated but this often subsides quickly.
Q5: Is this examination really necessary?
A5: A grape-like growth or polyps in your colon or rectum is usually common in adults and harmless. However, if you have had family history or grown polyps for a while now, then this test is necessary.
Q6: How old should I be for this?
A6: It is recommended for those with average-risk to get their first colonoscopy at the age of 50.
Q7: I am 38 years old and if my mother had passed away due to colon cancer when she was 50, should I consider going for colonospy now?
A7: Since you are a first-degree relative to your mother who had colon cancer at age 50, you should start screening 20 to 10 years younger than her age. Now is also a good age to go for screening.
Q8: Is it possible to check whether the polyp is cancerous or benign?
A8: Usually polyps are common and benign. However, if any tests are necessary, biopsies of polyps will be sent to determine whether they are cancerous or not.
Clinic Information
[Clinic Name] Dongguk University Ilsan Medical Centre
[Location] Goyang, South Korea
[Nearest Stations / Attractions] Clinic is 20 mins drive from the city center of Seoul and about 8 mins walk from Daehan Theater.
[Clinic Opening Time] 24 hrs
