What foods to eat after gastroscopy examination

After gastroscopy examination, it is usually recommended to eat warm, soft, and easily digestible liquid or semi liquid foods, such as rice soup, lotus root starch, steamed egg custard, etc. Gastroscopy examination can cause certain irritation to the throat and gastric mucosa, so fasting and water deprivation should be avoided within 2 hours after the examination. Eating should only begin after the numbness in the throat has disappeared. The specific dietary arrangement needs to be adjusted based on whether biopsy or treatment procedures are performed.

1. When no biopsy or treatment procedure is performed:

If it is only a regular gastroscopy examination without biopsy or polypectomy treatment, try drinking a small sip of warm water 2 hours after the examination to observe for coughing or discomfort. If there are no abnormalities, you can eat warm and cool liquid foods, such as rice soup without grains, clear chicken soup without oil, or thin lotus root powder. The temperature of this type of food should not exceed 40 degrees Celsius to avoid burns or irritation of the gastric mucosa. If there is no bloating or abdominal pain after eating, you can gradually transition to semi liquid foods such as steamed egg custard, rotten noodles, or mashed yam. It is recommended to have small and multiple meals, with each meal containing about 100-150 milliliters, for 1-2 days before resuming normal eating. Avoid consuming rough, overly hot, spicy, or alcoholic foods such as nuts, hotpot, coffee, etc.

2. When performing biopsy or polypectomy:

If a biopsy or polypectomy is performed during the examination, and there are small wounds on the gastric mucosa, diet should be more cautious. After 2 hours of examination, fasting and water restriction should be followed by drinking a small amount of cold water. After confirming that there is no bleeding or pain, eat warm and cool liquid foods, such as rice soup without residue or meat soup with oil removed. This type of food should be kept at a temperature of 30-35 degrees Celsius to avoid irritating the wound. It is recommended to use liquid products such as lotus root powder and filtered vegetable soup within 24 hours after surgery. After 24 hours, you can try semi liquid foods such as egg custard, mashed potatoes, or fish paste, but make sure the food is completely cooked and free of particles. Avoid consuming coarse fiber foods such as celery and corn, as well as acidic fruits such as lemon and hawthorn, for 3-5 days after surgery to prevent rubbing the wound or inducing excessive gastric acid secretion. If black stool, vomiting blood or severe abdominal pain occur, seek medical attention immediately.

3. Discomfort in the throat after examination:

Some people may experience throat pain or foreign body sensation after gastroscopy examination, which is caused by slight abrasion of the mucosa during gastroscopy passing through the esophagus. At this time, you can choose warm and cool semi liquid foods, such as cold milk, sugar free yogurt, or banana puree, which can cover the throat mucosa and relieve discomfort. It is recommended to avoid drinking overheated liquids or eating dry and hard foods such as biscuits and bread to avoid exacerbating friction. The discomfort in the throat usually subsides on its own within 1-2 days. During this period, it is recommended to drink warm water in small amounts multiple times to keep the mucous membranes moist. If the pain persists for more than 3 days or is accompanied by fever, it is necessary to check for infection.

4. When abdominal distension occurs after examination:

During gastroscopy, gas is injected into the stomach to open the wall of the stomach, and some people may feel abdominal distension after examination. At this time, you should choose foods that are easy to digest and do not produce gas, such as white rice porridge, degreased fish soup or Winter melon soup. These foods can reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and help eliminate gases. It is recommended to avoid consuming soy products, sweet potatoes, milk, or carbonated drinks, as these foods can easily ferment and produce gas in the intestines, exacerbating bloating. You can walk around or gently rub your abdomen clockwise to promote gas release. Abdominal distension usually gradually subsides within 4-6 hours after examination. If it persists or is accompanied by vomiting, seek medical attention promptly.

5. When nausea and vomiting occur after examination:

Some people may have a strong stimulus response to gastroscopy examination, and may experience nausea or vomiting after examination. At this time, it is recommended to temporarily fast for 2-4 hours to allow the stomach to rest. After the nausea subsides, you can drink a small amount of warm and cool plain water or diluted salt water, not exceeding 30 milliliters each time, and try again after a 15 minute interval. If there is no vomiting, you can eat light liquid food, such as millet congee oil or degreased chicken soup. This type of food can replenish water and electrolytes, avoiding dehydration. Avoid eating greasy, sweet or strong smelling food, such as Braised pork belly, cake or durian, which is easy to induce nausea. If frequent vomiting leads to inability to eat, or if there is coffee colored liquid in the vomit, seek medical attention immediately. The dietary recovery after gastroscopy should be gradual, from liquid to semi liquid and then to soft food, and the whole process takes about 2-3 days. It is recommended to maintain a light diet and avoid overeating and alcohol consumption within one week after the examination. Daily supplementation of easily digestible high-quality protein, such as fish and tofu, can promote mucosal repair. If there is persistent abdominal pain, black stool, or fever after examination, timely follow-up should be sought. Pay attention to your own reactions. If you have a history of food allergies, avoid the corresponding ingredients.