Age, heredity, symptoms: three main reasons for gastroscopy and colonoscopy

You will be surprised, but gastroscopy and colonoscopy are not necessary for everyone who has a stomachache. And in some cases, you can not do without them even in the absence of pain. Russian gastroenterologist Pavel Dementiev told when to do gastroscopy and colonoscopy, writes sb.by.

According to Pavel Dementiev, the main and only goal of gastroscopy (FGD) and colonoscopy is the early detection of oncology:

- Do not “see gastritis”, do not “check the stomach just in case”, but to detect precancerous changes and tumors at an early, treatable stage. Chronic gastritis, antral changes, diverticula are all findings that do not require annual endoscopic monitoring.

He added that the first gastroscopy and colonoscopy for prophylactic purposes (oncoposcopy) is recommended to be performed in 40-45 years, even if nothing bothers. Once in a lifetime – be sure to “look with your eyes” the stomach, duodenum and the entire large intestine.

At the same time, the doctor explained that the repeated procedure should be done every 5 (gastroscopy) and 10 years (colonoscopy).

If polyps are found and removed, the next colonoscopy is given individually: after 1-3 years, depending on the type, size and number of polyps. This is decided by the doctor who carried out the removal. If atrophy of the gastric mucosa is found, gastroscopy is repeated more often: about once every 2-3 years.

- But do not run for gastroscopy or colonoscopy for pain or disturbance of stool, if: there is no visible blood in the stool, there is no positive test of stool for hidden blood (immunochemical method), hemoglobin is not reduced, the last gastroscopy was less than 5 years ago / colonoscopy - less than 10 years. Especially if the symptoms last for years – nothing new study will not show, – warned Pavel Dementiev.

But if the parents had oncology of the digestive system, the examination shifts to an earlier age and more frequent observation, the doctor added.

Comfortable diagnosis: how to find out about the state of the stomach without gastroscopy, said the doctor

Caring for the intestines: the doctor told how to properly prepare for a colonoscopy