Gentle endoscopy
The word “endoscopy” comes from Greek and means “to look inside”. In our practice we perform, with the most modern equipment, gastroscopy (stomach endoscopy), colonoscopy (bowel endoscopy) and rectoscopy.
Thanks to fiber-optic optics with exceptional resolution and staining techniques, the causes of existing complaints can be localized or suspicious organ changes can be detected at a still treatable stage. When performed regularly as a preventive measure, these examinations reduce the risk that a malignant disease of the examined organs will develop.
With the gentle endoscopy the patient is placed into a twilight sleep by means of a sedative injection, so the examination is not perceived consciously. During the examination, pulse, blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation are monitored. After the examination you will spend approximately 1–2 hours in the recovery area and can then leave the practice (ideally accompanied).
Endoscopy Team
Specialist in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Dr. Sema Robl
Specialist in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Dr. Shady Ebrahim
Gastroscopy
After local anaesthesia of the throat with a topical spray and administration of a sedative injection, the gastroscopy is performed while the patient is in a sedated state.
A thin, flexible optical tube is introduced through the mouth and advanced under visual control as far as the small intestine. During the examination some air is insufflated to improve visibility. This can temporarily cause bloating and a slight feeling of pressure in the abdomen.
As a routine measure, painless biopsies (tissue samples) are taken to detect the mucosa-damaging bacterium Helicobacter pylori and are examined histologically. Suspicious mucosal areas and gastric ulcers are also biopsied.
A gastroscopy should be performed in cases of
- heartburn
- unclear upper abdominal complaints
- swallowing difficulties
- anaemia and iron deficiency
- suspected stomach or duodenal ulcer
- gastric carcinoma
Preparation for gastroscopy
- Before the examination you must be fasting, i.e. you must not have eaten anything for at least 8 hours. Until 3 hours before the procedure you may still drink small amounts of clear fluids, e.g. tea (not black tea), mineral water and broth.
- The examination is carried out in the fasting state. Please do not eat for 8 hours before the examination; water may be drunk up to 4 hours before the procedure. Medications should be taken at least 2 hours before the examination (except blood glucose-lowering medications).
- Please bring a towel on the day of the examination.
- If you opt for “gentle endoscopy with sedative injection”, please be aware that you are not permitted to participate in road traffic after the examination. It is essential that you are picked up after the examination.
- After discharge from our outpatient treatment, no restriction of your eating habits is necessary.
- Results of tissue samples will be sent to you.
- Should you be unable to attend your scheduled appointment, please cancel in writing at least 4 working days in advance. Attention: If this rule is not observed, we must charge a flat handling fee of € 200.00.
Gastroscopy
After local anaesthesia of the throat with a topical spray and administration of a sedative injection, the gastroscopy is performed while the patient is in a sedated state.
A thin, flexible optical tube is introduced through the mouth and advanced under visual control as far as the small intestine. During the examination some air is insufflated to improve visibility. This can temporarily cause bloating and a slight feeling of pressure in the abdomen.
As a routine measure, painless biopsies (tissue samples) are taken to detect the mucosa-damaging bacterium Helicobacter pylori and are examined histologically. Suspicious mucosal areas and gastric ulcers are also biopsied.
A gastroscopy should be performed in cases of
- heartburn
- unclear upper abdominal complaints
- swallowing difficulties
- anaemia and iron deficiency
- suspected stomach or duodenal ulcer
- gastric carcinoma
Preparation for gastroscopy
- Before the examination you must be fasting, i.e. you must not have eaten anything for at least 8 hours. Until 3 hours before the procedure you may still drink small amounts of clear fluids, e.g. tea (not black tea), mineral water and broth.
- The examination is carried out in the fasting state. Please do not eat for 8 hours before the examination; water may be drunk up to 4 hours before the procedure. Medications should be taken at least 2 hours before the examination (except blood glucose-lowering medications).
- Please bring a towel on the day of the examination.
- If you opt for “gentle endoscopy with sedative injection”, please be aware that you are not permitted to participate in road traffic after the examination. It is essential that you are picked up after the examination.
- After discharge from our outpatient treatment, no restriction of your eating habits is necessary.
- Results of tissue samples will be sent to you.
- Should you be unable to attend your scheduled appointment, please cancel in writing at least 4 working days in advance. Attention: If this rule is not observed, we must charge a flat handling fee of € 200.00.
Colonoscopy
In colonoscopy a flexible endoscope is introduced via the rectum to examine the mucosa of the entire large intestine, and, if necessary, the terminal ileum (lower small intestine). The patient is usually sedated with intravenous medication.
During colonoscopy, biopsies (mucosal samples) can be taken painlessly if abnormalities are found, and mucosal growths (polyps) can be removed with an electrosurgical snare. It is important to remove these mucosal growths because they can, through several precursor stages, develop into cancer.
A colonoscopy should be performed in cases of
- blood in the stool
- anaemia and iron deficiency
- unclear abdominal pain
- changes in bowel habits
- chronic diarrhoea
- unintentional weight loss
- positive family history: if a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) has had colon cancer, you should have a colonoscopy 10 years before the age at which the relative was first diagnosed.
A colonoscopy is a very important screening examination to help prevent the development of the common colon carcinoma (colorectal cancer).
Preparation for colonoscopy
- A thorough bowel preparation is essential for this examination, i.e. the bowel must be completely emptied. This is done according to detailed instructions that will be provided and explained to you in the practice.
- If you take blood-thinning medications (e.g. Marcoumar, ThromboASS, Plavix, Efient, Lovenox/Fragmin, etc.), this must be discussed during the preparation consultation.
- Diabetics should on the day of the examination administer only their basal insulin (possibly in reduced form).
- Please bring a current laboratory report (not older than 4 weeks, blood count, coagulation values) and any available previous endoscopic findings to the examination.
- Please bring 2 bath towels for the examination and a pair of bath slippers for the recovery area.
- If you wish the “gentle endoscopy with sedation”, please note that you are not permitted to participate in road traffic after the examination. It is essential that you are collected after the examination.
- After discharge from our outpatient treatment, your treating physician will inform you about the recommended diet.
- If you cannot attend an appointment, please cancel it at least 4 working days in advance. Attention: If this rule is not observed, we must charge an administrative fee of € 200,00.
Colonoscopy
In colonoscopy a flexible endoscope is introduced via the rectum to examine the mucosa of the entire large intestine, and, if necessary, the terminal ileum (lower small intestine). The patient is usually sedated with intravenous medication.
During colonoscopy, biopsies (mucosal samples) can be taken painlessly if abnormalities are found, and mucosal growths (polyps) can be removed with an electrosurgical snare. It is important to remove these mucosal growths because they can, through several precursor stages, develop into cancer.
A colonoscopy should be performed in cases of
- blood in the stool
- anaemia and iron deficiency
- unclear abdominal pain
- changes in bowel habits
- chronic diarrhoea
- unintentional weight loss
- positive family history: if a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) has had colon cancer, you should have a colonoscopy 10 years before the age at which the relative was first diagnosed.
A colonoscopy is a very important screening examination to help prevent the development of the common colon carcinoma (colorectal cancer).
Preparation for colonoscopy
- A thorough bowel preparation is essential for this examination, i.e. the bowel must be completely emptied. This is done according to detailed instructions that will be provided and explained to you in the practice.
- If you take blood-thinning medications (e.g. Marcoumar, ThromboASS, Plavix, Efient, Lovenox/Fragmin, etc.), this must be discussed during the preparation consultation.
- Diabetics should on the day of the examination administer only their basal insulin (possibly in reduced form).
- Please bring a current laboratory report (not older than 4 weeks, blood count, coagulation values) and any available previous endoscopic findings to the examination.
- Please bring 2 bath towels for the examination and a pair of bath slippers for the recovery area.
- If you wish the “gentle endoscopy with sedation”, please note that you are not permitted to participate in road traffic after the examination. It is essential that you are collected after the examination.
- After discharge from our outpatient treatment, your treating physician will inform you about the recommended diet.
- If you cannot attend an appointment, please cancel it at least 4 working days in advance. Attention: If this rule is not observed, we must charge an administrative fee of € 200,00.
Rectoscopy
Rectoscopy (endorectal examination) is used for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the anal canal and rectum.
The examination itself is not painful, but it may briefly cause a feeling of the need to defecate. This is entirely insignificant and should not worry you. A rectoscopy is usually also planned with a sedative injection.
A rectoscopy should be performed in cases of
- complaints of the anal canal and rectum
- suspected haemorrhoids
- anal fissures
- diseases of the rectum
Preparation for rectoscopy
- You do not need to be fasting.
- Two hours before the appointment, administer two enemas (cleansing enemas) at home and retain the fluid each time for 5 minutes before evacuating.
Colorectal cancer screening
From the age of 45 the health insurance fund covers the full costs for a screening colonoscopy. You will need your e-card and a referral from your general practitioner with the note “screening colonoscopy”.
Why a screening colonoscopy?
In Austria about 5,000 people develop colorectal cancer each year (which corresponds to 18% of all new cancer cases); around 3,000 people die from this disease, although colorectal cancer can be largely prevented by appropriate screening.
In women, colorectal cancer ranks second after breast cancer. In men it ranks third after prostate and lung cancer.
About 90% of colorectal cancers initially develop as benign polyps. Over the years, further changes in the mucosal cells can transform a polyp into a malignantly growing colorectal cancer.
The risk of occurrence is age-dependent and increases sharply from the age of 50, which is why a screening colonoscopy is recommended for everyone from the age of 50.
First-degree relatives (parents and siblings) of a cancer patient should have a screening colonoscopy 10 years before the age at which the relative was diagnosed.
There are several ways for early detection. For example, stool can be tested for hidden blood. But the most reliable method is the colonoscopy (colon examination).
Contact
For appointment scheduling, please contact us by telephone during the practice hours or use our callback service. If you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment, please understand that, without a timely written cancellation, we must charge a flat administrative fee. (Details in the Appointment Cancellation section). A parking space is available for visitors of MED22 and iMed22 covers parking fees for our patients for up to 3 hours. However, availability of a parking space cannot be guaranteed, which is why traveling by public transport is recommended.
Practice hours
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
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08:30 - 18:00
08:30 - 19:00
08:30 - 18:00
08:30 - 19:00
07:00 - 13:00
