Does a gastrointestinal examination require fasting?
Disease description:
I always feel bloated, often have stomach pain, and my bowel movements are dry. I want to get a gastrointestinal examination. Do I need to fast before the gastrointestinal exam?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xuemei
Most gastrointestinal examinations require fasting. Currently, common methods for checking the stomach and intestines include gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and barium studies of the digestive system. These tests all require prior gastrointestinal preparation. Fasting allows for clearer visualization inside the stomach and intestines, enabling doctors to make more accurate and professional diagnoses. For colonoscopy, patients usually need to take medication in advance to clear fecal matter from the intestines.
