You may be referred to an endoscopy clinic in Singapore if you have persistent stomach pain. See range of services offered on this page: https://gastrohealth.com.sg/services/endoscopic-mucosal-resection/.
Now, endoscopy is a procedure that uses a thin, flexible tube with light and camera to look inside your oesophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine. If done correctly, it can let your doctor spot ulcers, inflammation, or growths that might explain your pain.
Why Choose Endoscopy for Stubborn Stomach Pain
As explained above, endoscopy is a specialised procedure used to examine certain parts of the inside of the digestive tract. So, it can be a key tool for anyone with ongoing stomach pain since it lets your doctor see inside your upper digestive tract in real time.
While scans like X-rays can give hints, they cannot show detailed inflammation or small lesions on the lining. An endoscope’s camera delivers clear, direct images.
Your GP may choose to refer you to an endoscopy in Singapore if they suspect issues which often trigger a dull ache like gastritis, or inflammation of your stomach lining. Visiting an endoscopy clinic in Singapore is also recommendable if there are fears of peptic ulcers, which are sores caused by acid or bacterial infection.
These sores may bleed or cause sharp pains. There is also gastro-oesophageal reflux which can irritate your food pipe and cause chest-like pain.
Rarely, small tumours or polyps can cause discomfort. Only endoscopy can confirm these issues and check their exact location and size.
Other than diagnosis, you may also be referred to an endoscopy clinic in Singapore for a biopsy where tiny tissue samples taken through the tube. These samples help detect infections like Helicobacter pylori or rule out cancer.
During the procedure, a good clinic may also treat minor problems on the spot. For example, they can stop small bleeds or remove harmless polyps without a second procedure.
What Happens During an Endoscopy?
Endoscopy is a fairly common procedure. However, for anyone who has never had one, you may naturally wonder; what happens during an endoscopy?
Now, when you arrive at an endoscopy clinic in Singapore, the first thing you should expect is a meeting with a nurse or doctor who will review your health history as well as check any allergies, current medicines and past procedures.
You’ll sign consent forms after your doctor explains the risks and benefits. Most clinics use sedation to keep you comfortable during the whole process.
You’ll be put to lie on your side while the nurse gives a mild sedative through a vein. Soon you feel relaxed and drowsy, though you stay breathing on your own.
A local spray may numb your throat so you won’t gag. The endoscope—a thin tube about the thickness of a finger then enters through your mouth and passes down your throat into your stomach and first section of your small intestine.
The camera sends live video to a screen where your doctor looks for redness, ulcers, growths or other signs of disease. The procedure usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.
If the doctor spots a suspicious area, they pass tiny tools through the scope’s channel to take a biopsy. You won’t feel the pinch of the sample. In some cases, the doctor can treat minor bleeding by applying heat or special clips.
After the examination, you rest in a recovery area until the sedative wears off—usually 30 to 60 minutes. A nurse will be around to check your breathing, pulse and comfort. You may feel bloated or have mild throat soreness but don’t worry much as both clear up within a day.
How to Prepare for Your Endoscopy
For a smooth assessment and to get the most accurate results from your endoscopy in Singapore, you will want to prepare effectively. This shouldn’t bother you as the providers will direct you accordingly. Here’s what you will need to do to prepare for your endoscopy;
- Fast as directed: Your stomach must be empty for a clear view. For this, you will be asked to stop eating solid food six to eight hours before the test. You may sip water up to two hours beforehand. Please, observe this recommendation because if you don’t fast properly, the procedure may be delayed or need to be rescheduled.
- Review your medicines: Some drugs can affect bleeding risk or interact with sedatives. So, you will want to bring a list of all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, plus any supplements. Your doctor may advise you to pause blood thinners or adjust diabetes drugs for fasting.
- Arrange someone to accompany you: The thing with endoscopy is that you will be given sedation treatment to help you relax during the procedure. Sedation makes you drowsy and slows your reactions. You cannot drive home safely afterwards so, ask a friend or family member to pick you up and stay with you until the sedation fully wears off.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes: Once you’re ready for the procedure, you will change into a clinic gown for the procedure. Loose tops and trousers make dressing easy. So, avoid belts or tight waistbands that press on your abdomen when you lie on your side.
- Ask about post-procedure care: Before your appointment, call the clinic to clarify how soon you can eat, drink or resume medicines. When you know what to expect, it will be easy to avoid any last-minute stress. If you have any questions—about fasting, sedation or recovery, please ask ahead of time for clear guidance.
While there are a range of guidelines to prepare for endoscopy, the procedure itself is very safe. However, like any other procedure, endoscopy also carries small risks.
After the procedure, you may notice minor sore throat or bloating from air used to inflate your stomach. These should pass within a few hours.
Rarely, a biopsy site can bleed or, even more rarely, a small tear may occur in the lining. A good endoscopy clinic in Singapore will monitor you closely and have equipment to treat any problem immediately. After your test, follow these steps for smooth recovery:
- Rest until the sedation wears off completely. Your judgement and reflexes remain slowed for up to 24 hours.
- Eat light meals first—plain soup, porridge or yoghurt—before returning to your normal diet over the next day.
- Avoid alcohol, heavy exercise and driving for 24 hours.
- Watch for fever, severe pain or bleeding and contact your clinic if these occur.
- Take any prescribed antibiotics or acid-blocking medicines exactly as directed to help heal ulcers or inflammation.
Closing Thoughts
Persistent or worsening stomach pain deserves specialist attention. Consider booking at an endoscopy clinic in Singapore if you have pain that does not ease with over-the-counter antacids or pain relief, repeated vomiting, blood in vomit or black, tar-like stools and difficulty swallowing or unexplained weight loss
An early visit will help catch issues before they grow serious. So, act early to find the cause of your pain—whether it’s an ulcer, infection or inflammation. If you’re in Singapore, book an appointment at our endoscopy clinic by calling or visiting us at;
Gastrohealth Clinic @ Gleneagles – Dr Bhavesh Doshi | Gastroscopy | Colonoscopy | Health Screening | EUS and ERCP Singapore