Abdominal pain after a gastroscopy

introduction

The gastroscopy is a routine procedure that is performed many times a day in Germany in order to To diagnose diseases of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Since complications rarely occur, the gastroscopy may be less outpatient conditions take place in appropriately equipped medical practices or in hospitals. General anesthesia is usually not necessary. The patients receive Sedatives and sleeping pills in small doses and are thus put into a sleep-like state.

You can go home a short time after the procedure. During a gastroscopy, the walls of Esophagus, stomach and duodenum via optical camera technology, which is inserted through the mouth with a tube. In order to be able to assess the stomach better, it becomes something using a gas mixture inflated.

The gastroscopy becomes Clarification of heartburn, chronic stomach pain, digestive problems or emergency treatment for gastric bleeding utilized. Stomach pain can occur after a gastroscopy. Most of the time, these are safe, but in some cases they can indicate more serious complications. If symptoms occur that go beyond the usual symptoms after gastroscopy, this should be clarified in the hospital.

Read more on this topic: Gastroscopy

Causes of pain after gastroscopy

stomach pain after a gastroscopy mostly due to remnants of the air-gas mixture usedthat may remain in the stomach after the procedure. These complaints are common after the gastroscopy and disappear by themselves after a while. The gas mixture expands the stomach wall even after removing all devices and can close Stomach pain and later gas to lead.

Occasionally, the gastric mucosa reacts sensitively to the mechanical stimuli that are set during the procedure. These include the artificial stretching of the stomach wall and stimuli that are caused when the endoscope is bumped.

Structures of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum are rarely actually injured. This can be favored by anatomical features. Mostly it is a matter of small damage to the mucous membrane that bleeds moderately or not at all and does not require any further treatment.

However, in some cases it can lead to Perforation of the stomach or duodenum wall, or esophagus come. This is a very dangerous complication and should be treated promptly in the hospital.

diagnosis

As a rule, the doctor will first conduct an anamnesis discussion. The patient has the opportunity to describe his symptoms in detail. Particular attention should be paid to the D.apart from the complaints, the nature of the pain, the temporal course of the pain and possible accompanying symptoms be placed. This is usually followed by a rough one physical examination, that focuses on the stomach. If pain can be aggravated by pressure on the abdominal wall, if the abdominal muscles are very tense or if the patient shows signs of fever, this can give the doctor decisive information about the type of illness.

If the practice has an ultrasound device, a Ultrasound examination occur. With the so-called sonography, the organs of the abdominal cavity can be displayed painlessly and without the use of harmful rays. Bleeding can often be detected using ultrasound. If there is an urgent suspicion of a complication, a another gastroscopy occur. If an X-ray machine is available, a X-ray of the abdomen contribute to the diagnosis of damage to the stomach or duodenum. A Blood test provides information about whether there is an infection in the body.

Concomitant symptoms

Stomach pain after a gastroscopy can be accompanied by other symptoms. Some are harmless, others require closer attention and, if necessary, a renewed presentation to the attending physician. Since the visualization of the gastric mucosa is much easier when the stomach wall is stretched, a gas-air mixture is blown into the stomach. Although this is suctioned off towards the end of the gastroscopy, smaller amounts of gas can remain in the stomach. That's why this is Belching of air a common accompanying symptom. Some patients feel bloated and experience one slight nausea.

If the gas-air mixture is passed on to the intestine by the contractions of the stomach and duodenum, it can become a little later Flatulence and wind loss come. The symptoms described so far are due to the procedure itself and are not of any further concern.

While serious gastroscopy complications are extremely rare, certain accompanying symptoms should prompt prompt action. This includes severe abdominal pain and a tense abdominal wall. Also the appearance of fever in connection with stomach pain or severe vomiting, especially if the vomit is receiving blood, are signs of a dangerous complication. These side effects could be due to the Suggest perforation of the stomach or duodenum, which is rarely observed, but is one of the possible complications of gastroscopy.

Read more on this topic: Complications of gastroscopy

diarrhea

Diarrhea can occur over several days as a result of a gastroscopy. Initially, this has no disease value, but is a normal side effect of the reflection and the measures that take place.

The preparation for the gastroscopy includes a shorter period of fasting in order to empty the intestinal sections to be examined. This means that the stool can be soft to fluid for a few days.
In addition, the gastroscopy can irritate the gastric mucosa through the introduction of a foreign body. This can lead to minor inflammation of the mucous membranes, which can lead to bleeding, pain and diarrhea.

Flatulence

Flatulence is a common symptom after gastroscopy. In addition to flatulence, it can also lead to unpleasant belching. The air enters the stomach during the gastroscopy. Usually, the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach protects the digestive tract from excess air. By placing the camera in the stomach, large amounts of air can be swallowed, which after the gastroscopy lead to a feeling of fullness and later also to gas.

Which abdominal pain are (still) normal after a gastroscopy?

After a gastroscopy are light pain normal, which changes in the course of a few hours regress. These are mostly due to the gas-air mixture remaining in the stomach, which is either absorbed through the gastric mucosa, passed on through the stomach contraction into the intestine, or pushed open. Slight stomach pain or lower abdomen pain as well Flatulence are also normal and occur with great regularity after gastroscopy.

In individual cases, the gastric mucosa, which is somewhat irritated by stretching during the gastroscopy, can still cause slight pain the following day. However, if violent (blood) vomiting, severe pain or a tight abdominal wall occur, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

therapy

Most of the time, abdominal pain does not require further treatment after a gastroscopy. Any remaining gas in the stomach or intestines is usually eliminated naturally or absorbed through the gastrointestinal mucosa. Usually one is enough slight reduction in diet until the symptoms subside. Also Heat applications with a hot water bottle on top can help.

If the symptoms are more severe, medication can also be used after consulting your doctor. Simeticon © is a medicine that is used for bloating and flatulence. It reduces excess gas in the digestive system, thus leading to pain relief. In the case of cramp-like symptoms Butylscopolamine taken, which relieves the painful contraction of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal wall.

However, if the cause of the pain is perforation of the stomach or small intestine wall, hospital treatment is indicated. The defect is usually closed with an endoscope as part of a further gastroscopy. If an accompanying fever occurs, this may indicate peritonitis caused by leaked stomach contents. Here is with intravenous antibiotics treated. Surgery is rarely necessary.

Duration of complaints

Are abdominal pain after gastroscopy mostly of short duration. They almost always leave a few hours after the procedure and rarely last until the next day. Burping the air remaining in the stomach usually leads to a significant improvement. In most cases, reduced diet and warmth are sufficient to achieve complete freedom from symptoms by the next day at the latest. Abdominal pain that gets worse should be a reason to see your doctor again. Only in isolated cases is the pain a serious complication that requires longer therapy.