When you first meet with you
Consultant Gastroenterologist in Manchester at The Alexandra Hospital, they will take a detailed account of your medical history and ask about your symptoms.
They will want to know:
- Which symptoms you have;
- When these symptoms first appeared;
- Whether your symptoms have been getting worse;
- Whether any foods, drinks or activities aggravate your symptoms, and
- If you are on any medication.
A physical examination may also be carried out.
Many other conditions will require additional investigation to make a diagnosis. This will often happen through an endoscopy. An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light at one end. The camera transmits a live feed to an external video screen, so that your Consultant can investigate the inside of your stomach.
Depending on your symptoms, you may be referred to have a gastroscopy, a colonoscopy or an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). If you require any of these, the procedure will quickly be arranged for you at The Alexandra Hospital.
A gastroscopy: performed to examine the first part of your GI tract. The endoscope is introduced into your body through your mouth and down your throat, then into your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first part of your small intestine).
A colonoscopy: this examines the lower part of the GI tract. In this instance, the endoscope is inserted into your rectum and slowly moved through your large intestine and along into your small intestine.
Both investigations allow your Consultant to carefully examine the relevant part of your GI tract. They will look for any abnormalities, such as swelling, bumps, lumps or narrowings, or any other areas of possible concern.
An ERCP is a way of examining your bile ducts, gall bladder and pancreas. It is mainly used to treat conditions that are causing blockages within the bile ducts. This is commonly caused by a gallstone, which can often be removed through a small incision made at the lower end of your duct. Occasionally, the problem may be caused by a tumour. In this case, a thin tube (stent) can be placed within your duct to relieve the obstruction and keep the duct open.
A biopsy can be taken for further analysis if required. This involves carefully removing a small sample of your tissue and sending it for analysis under a microscope.
Endoscopic procedures can be uncomfortable. In preparation for a gastroscopy, a spray is used to reduce coughing and gagging. Many patients also choose to have a sedative injection. For a colonoscopy, an injection of a sedative and pain-killing medication will often be administered, but others may prefer to have “gas and air” (nitrous oxide) instead. Your Gastroenterologist will explain these options prior to the procedure so that you can choose the right one for you.
A comprehensive range of additional tests, including blood tests, liver function tests, MRI scans, CT scans and ultrasounds, are all readily available at The Alexandra Hospital. They can be quickly and easily arranged for you if needed.