Gastroenterology and endoscopy

Ongoing abdominal pain, reflux or changes in bowel habits can be worrying. If you have difficulty swallowing or if you are experiencing blood from your bowel, you should seek immediate medical attention. An endoscopy procedure will likely be recommended by your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms as a way of diagnosing the cause.

Affidea’s gastroenterology and endoscopy service helps you understand these symptoms through specialist assessment and, where needed, advanced diagnostic procedures. Our focus is to give you clear answers and guide you towards the right care.

Understanding digestive health and endoscopy

Endoscopy focuses on conditions affecting the digestive system, including the oesophagus (gullet), stomach and colon (large bowel). Together, these organs process food, absorb nutrients and remove waste from the body.

When symptoms persist or are difficult to explain, further investigation may be needed to understand what’s happening internally. Endoscopy is one of the most effective ways to do this.

An endoscopy involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera into the digestive tract to examine its inner lining. This allows specialists to view internal structures in detail and, where necessary, take small tissue samples for further analysis.

At Affidea, this combination of clinical expertise and diagnostic technology gives you a clearer understanding of your digestive health and supports well-informed treatment decisions.

What happens during your appointment

Your appointment begins with a detailed conversation about your symptoms and how they have changed over time. This includes any changes in digestion, appetite, weight or bowel habits, along with your medical history.

Based on this, your specialist will recommend the most suitable next step. This may involve further tests or an endoscopic procedure to look more closely at your digestive tract.

If endoscopy is advised, you’ll receive clear information about how to prepare, what will happen on the day of the procedure and what to expect afterwards. Many procedures are carried out as day cases, so you can return home the same day.

You will be offered sedation on the day of your procedure, and we aim to keep you as comfortable as possible throughout your procedure.

After your investigation, your specialist will explain your results and guide you in any next steps, so you understand what has been found and what comes next.

Endoscopy procedures and services we offer

Our endoscopy service addresses gastro-intestinal symptoms through specialist investigations and targeted endoscopic procedures.

Gastroscopy

A procedure used to examine the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. It can help investigate symptoms such as reflux, persistent indigestion or difficulty swallowing.

• Colonoscopy

  Examination of the large intestine, often used to explore changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain or unexplained bleeding.

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy

  A shorter colonoscopy of the very last part of your bowel, which may be recommended for specific symptoms.

• Biopsy and sampling

  During endoscopy, small tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken for further analysis to support an accurate diagnosis.

• Digestive health assessment

  Specialist review of symptoms affecting the digestive system, helping guide appropriate investigation and treatment.

When to see a specialist

Some symptoms settle on their own, while others continue or return over time. When this happens, a more detailed assessment can help clarify the cause and whether further investigation is needed.

You may wish to book an appointment if you notice:

• Bleeding

• Changes in bowel habit

• Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort

• Ongoing reflux or indigestion

• Unexplained weight loss

• Difficulty swallowing

• Blood in your stool

Seeking advice early can make it easier to understand what is happening and plan the next steps.