Should I have a gastroscopy for GERD while breastfeeding?

Gastroesophageal reflux during breastfeeding can be treated with gastroscopy, which usually does not affect breastfeeding or health. Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a disease in which gastric or duodenal contents reflux into the esophagus and cause discomfort due to factors such as a decrease in the esophagus’s ability to resist reflux or its ability to clear the esophagus, etc. Patients may present with symptoms such as reflux, heartburn (a burning sensation behind the breastbone), abdominal pain, belching, and so on. Gastroesophageal reflux patients usually need to undergo gastroscopy to clarify whether there is damage to the esophageal mucosa and to exclude other organic lesions. In general, if erosion of the mucosa at the lower end of the esophagus is found during endoscopy, the diagnosis of GERD is usually confirmed. Gastroscopy can usually be performed to clarify lesions in breastfeeding women in the absence of obvious contraindications such as severe heart disease, pulmonary disease, spinal deformity, or psychiatric disease. Gastroscopy during breastfeeding will not affect normal breastfeeding or physical health. If gastroesophageal reflux occurs during breastfeeding, it is recommended that the patient seeks medical attention in time for the doctor to determine whether gastroscopy is necessary, and the doctor’s instructions should be strictly followed and preparations should be made before the examination.