What Is an Upper Endoscopy?
An upper endoscopy, also known as an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), or an upper GI endoscopy, is a medical procedure that allows doctors to visually examine the upper digestive tract. This includes the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine. The procedure is performed using a flexible tube equipped with a light and camera at the end, which is carefully inserted through the patient’s mouth and guided through the digestive tract. This advanced imaging technique is crucial for diagnosing and treating various conditions affecting the upper digestive tract, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, and even cancer.
Why May a Doctor Perform an Upper Endoscopy?
A doctor may perform an upper endoscopy to diagnose or treat conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. This can include nausea, persistent upper abdominal pain, heartburn, difficulty swelling, vomiting, or bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. Upper endoscopies are more effective than X-rays at detect tumors, ulcers, inflammation, and abnormal growths located in the upper digestive system, and they are efficient ways to collect small sample tissues or cells to be examined by a lab through endoscopic biopsies or cytology tests.
If your primary care physician has ordered an endoscopy for you, you’re not alone. About 75 million endoscopies are performed each year in the US.
What Happens During the Endoscopy Procedure?
Ahead of the procedure, the patient will be advised to fast for approximately eight hours. This fasting will allow the doctor to see the upper GI tract more clearly while lowering the chances of any complications. The patient will be given a sedative via an IV that will help ensure that they are comfortable throughout the upper endoscopy procedure.
The doctor will apply a local anesthetic to the throat which will work to calm the patient’s gag reflex and allow the endoscope to pass through the esophagus with less resistance. A mouthguard will also be inserted to protect the patient’s teeth. The patient typically lies on his or her side on an exam table during the procedure, where the doctor will insert the endoscope into their mouth and through their esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The doctor will then pump air through the endoscope and into the stomach and duodenum to make the organs more visible on the camera. While viewing the video monitor, the doctor will decide if any tissue removals for biopsy or other treatments are necessary during the procedure.
An upper endoscopy usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes and allows the doctor to see any damage or abnormality in the upper GI tract.
How to Prepare for an Upper Endoscopy
The doctors at Gastroenterology of Westchester will provide thorough consultations with patients in advance of the upper endoscopy. Patients should ensure that the doctor is aware of aware of any allergies, all prescribed medications, and supplements being taken including vitamins, any bleeding problems, heart problems, diabetes, pregnancy, as well as any previous treatments to the esophagus.
Generally, prepping for an endoscopy procedure includes the following:
- No food or drink for 8 hours before the procedure. This prevents food or liquid from obscuring the view and reduces the risk of aspiration or choking during the exam.
- Medication adjustments may be needed, especially for blood thinners or diabetes medications. Your Gastroenterology of Westchester doctor will give you thorough details about what to do.
- Remove dentures or oral appliances before the procedure to ensure safe passage of the endoscope.
Prepping for an endoscopy procedure is considered by most patients to be much easier and quicker than prepping for a colonoscopy. In the latter case, prep is much more intensive, with a focus on fully clearing the colon. Endoscopy prep is simpler, requiring only fasting. Likewise, with an endoscopy procedure, the prep duration is much shorter than the full day (or more) required for colonoscopy prep.
What Happens After the Procedure?
After the procedure, the patient will be monitored until the lingering effects of the medication have worn off to ensure that there are no complications. Patients can expect to feel some bloating, gas, or cramping from the air that is pumped to make the organs more visible. Patients may also experience a sore or irritated throat that can be soothed by drinking water, eating softer foods, and taking throat lozenges while it subsides.
Patients should have a friend or family member accompany them and to drive him or her home as the sedative may cause nausea or potential grogginess. Patients are typically able to resume their usual activities by the following day.
