What are the examination items for stomach diseases

The main examination items for gastric diseases include gastroscopy, Helicobacter pylori testing, upper gastrointestinal barium meal, three items of gastric function, and abdominal ultrasound. Gastric disease is a general term for various stomach diseases, and through systematic examination, the cause can be identified, providing a basis for subsequent treatment.

1. Gastroscopy:

Gastroscopy is the core examination for diagnosing stomach diseases, which can directly observe the mucosal condition of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. For diseases such as chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, gastric polyps, and gastric cancer, gastroscopy can clearly display the location, size, and morphology of the lesions. If suspicious lesions are found, doctors can also take tissue under the microscope for pathological biopsy, which is the gold standard for diagnosing gastric cancer. It is recommended that people with long-term stomach discomfort, black stool, or unexplained weight loss prioritize this examination.

2. Helicobacter pylori testing:

Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers, and is also closely related to the occurrence of gastric cancer. The detection methods include carbon-13 or carbon-14 breath tests, which are non-invasive, highly accurate, and currently the most commonly used screening method. If the result is positive, standardized antibacterial treatment is usually required to reduce the risk of gastric disease recurrence and malignancy.

3. Upper gastrointestinal barium meal:

Upper gastrointestinal barium meal is an X-ray examination that observes the contour, peristalsis, and emptying of the stomach through oral administration of barium sulfate contrast agent. For patients who cannot tolerate gastroscopy or have contraindications for gastroscopy, this examination can be used as an alternative. It helps to detect gastric ulcers, gastric ptosis, gastric motility disorders, and larger occupying lesions in the stomach, but its observation of subtle mucosal lesions is not as accurate as gastroscopy.

4. Three items of gastric function:

The three items of gastric function include the detection of pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, and gastrin-17, which belong to serological tests. These indicators can reflect the functional status and degree of atrophy of the gastric mucosa, and are commonly used for risk screening of early gastric cancer. For example, a decrease in the ratio of pepsinogen may indicate gastric atrophy, while an increase in gastrin-17 may be related to gastric antral inflammation. This examination is non-invasive, simple, and suitable as a preliminary screening for large-scale populations.

5. Abdominal ultrasound:

Abdominal ultrasound is mainly used to exclude lesions in organs around the stomach, such as abnormalities in the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen. Problems with these organs can sometimes cause symptoms similar to stomach pain. Ultrasound can also observe the thickness of gastric wall and whether there is gastric retention. Although ultrasound has limited resolution for the gastric mucosa itself, it can be used as an auxiliary tool for gastric disease examination to help doctors differentiate and diagnose.

It is recommended to seek timely medical attention from a gastroenterologist when experiencing symptoms such as stomach pain, acid reflux, abdominal distension, and decreased appetite. Pay attention to a regular diet in daily life, avoid spicy and stimulating foods as well as raw and cold foods, quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, and maintain emotional stability. Regular gastric disease related examinations, especially for those over 40 years old or with a family history of gastric cancer, should pay more attention to gastroscopy screening to achieve early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.