Do you need to fast before getting a stomach examination?

In general, fasting is required when undergoing examinations for stomach conditions; it is advisable to consult a qualified physician beforehand. The details are as follows:

Gastroscopy is commonly used to diagnose stomach diseases and requires prior gastrointestinal preparation to prevent reactions such as vomiting or nausea during the procedure, which could lead to aspiration or suffocation. Therefore, patients must remain fasting before a gastroscopy. Additionally, eating before the examination may obstruct the doctor's view, potentially affecting the accuracy of the results.

For patients undergoing carbon-13 or carbon-14 breath tests, fasting is usually not necessary, as eating prior to the test generally does not affect the test results.

Patients should maintain a calm mindset and avoid excessive anxiety when being examined. Wearing loose clothing is recommended to facilitate the examination process. After the examination, the diet should be light, including foods such as millet porridge and noodles, to reduce gastrointestinal burden.

Avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods such as Sichuan pepper and chili peppers to prevent adverse effects on health.