Dr Chieng Jin Yu, our consultant physician, gastroenterologist and hepatologist breaks down what you need to know about both.

Both gastroscopy and colonoscopy fall under endoscopy—a procedure in which an endoscope (a thin and flexible tube with a camera attached on the end) is inserted into the patient’s body. It can take videos and images—allowing doctors to make an accurate diagnosis.

What are the differences?
A gastroscopy investigates your esophagus, stomach, and the top of the small intestine while a colonoscopy focuses on your rectum and large intestine.

Which should I go for?
If you have problems swallowing; stomach ulcers; and acid reflux—a gastroscopy is the right choice for you. It can even help with the diagnosis of cancers and conditions such as Barrett’s esophagus (the esophagus is damaged by acid reflux).

Meanwhile, if you have noticed a change in your bowel habits and blood in your stools—opt for a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is useful in diagnosing Chrohn’s disease, diverticular disease (small pouches that develop in the digestive tract), ulcerative colitis, polyps, and bowel cancer.

This article was contributed by Dr Chieng Jin Yu, Consultant Physician, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at Pantai Hospital Ampang. To know more about where and when to see Dr Chieng Jin Yu at his clinic, click here.