Specialities
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology
Digestive disorders are the second most common group of diseases in our country, with levels of frequency closely following those of heart complaints. Beside basic tips for healthy dieting, special regimes for patients with specific needs (obesity, emaciation, allergic reactions to certain foods) are designed by our specialist team which includes experts in gastroenterology, nutrition and endocrinology. At the Galathea Polyclinic, you can also undergo a thorough digestive checkup, which, by modern standards, should be done at least once a year. In addition to basic blood, urine and faeces laboratory tests, as well as specific immunology, bacteriology and virus analyses, abdominal ultrasonography and endoscopic examinations are also available to our patients. Pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine examinations are carried out on most advanced Olympus and 4D ultrasound machines, possibly under brief analgosedation that will eliminate feelings of pain and discomfort. Should you have any dilemmas about diagnostic procedures performed at the Galathea Polyclinic, our highly trained endoscopic staff headed by an experienced gastroenterologist will be glad to provide you with any information or instructions that you might wish to have. As a result of the hectic lifestyle of our modern time, large numbers of people occasionally experience symptoms related to the digestive tract. In a cosy setting of our Polyclinic, with our experienced professional team dedicated to your satisfaction and safety, you will have the opportunity to thoroughly check your health in the shortest possible time.
Ultrasonographic imaging of the abdomen with the latest 4D machine is a brief and comfortable procedure which does not call for any preliminary preparations. The patient is only requested not to take any food or drinks (except for water) in the period of between 5 and 8 hours prior to the examination, which does not involve any pain or discomfort whatsoever. The procedure includes the examination of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, kidneys, urinary bladder, major blood vessels, along with the uterus and ovaries in the female, or the prostate gland in the male.
Upper endoscopy, which is performed in a separate room and using a most modern Olympus video gastroscope, includes the examination of the stomach, duodenum and initial portion of the small intestine. The patient is requested to abstain from food or drink in the course of 8 hours prior to the procedure. At the same time biopsies can be obtained, namely tiny samples of the mucous membrane that are later observed under a microscope in order to determine a pathohistological diagnosis of disease, e.g. various kinds of gastritis – atrophic, hyperplasia, metaplasia and helicobacter, or any other disease affecting this part of the digestive system. A large number of patients are afraid of this examination, which, though painless, is unpleasant and typically associated with the urge to vomit and abdominal discomfort as the instrument passes through the upper portions of the pharynx and oesophagus. All of these unpleasant sensations can be eliminated in patients who wish to be examined under light analgosedation.
Lower endoscopy and colonoscopy are also performed in a special room, with a high-tech Olympus video colonoscope. Since the colon must be thoroughly emptied before colonoscopy, this examination involves special preparations in the period of 24 hours ahead of the planned procedure. The preparation starts with the intake of special liquid intended to thoroughly empty the colon in the fastest and most effective way. For best examination effects, the patient is advised to undergo a light diet for several days before actually starting the preparation. A long flexible tube with a camera at its end is inserted through the anus and passed through the whole length of the colon and the final section of the small intestine. If necessary, mucous membrane samples are taken for the so-called pathohistological analysis. Since air is pumped into the colon, this examination is uncomfortable and slightly painful. Still, the procedure can be performed in light analgosedation, which eliminates any unpleasant side effects.
In any case, prior to any endoscopic procedure it is mandatory for the patient to be seen by a gastroenterologist, who will provide him or her with detailed information and instructions concerning the preparation and the procedure itself. The doctor may then decide to adjust the course of the preparation for those patients who have diabetes or any other kidney disorder, in accordance with their specific needs and requirements.
