Upper Endoscopy Specialist

What is an upper endoscopy?

Upper endoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a procedure the team at GI Specialists of Houston, LLP, uses to examine the first part of your digestive tract.

An endoscope is a flexible, tubular instrument that fits down your esophagus. At the end, it has a light and a miniature camera. As the endoscope passes into your stomach and duodenum – the first part of your small intestine – it transmits detailed images to a monitor for your provider to view.

Why might I need an upper endoscopy?

Your provider at GI Specialists of Houston, LLP, might want you to have an upper endoscopy if you have symptoms such as dysphagia (problems swallowing), pain in your upper abdomen, or unexplained nausea and vomiting.

Other tests can often determine why you're experiencing these symptoms, but where they don't, an upper endoscopy could supply the information your provider needs. Using upper endoscopy, they can detect inflammation in the esophageal, stomach, and duodenal tissues, and locate ulcers or tumors that could be causing your symptoms.

An upper endoscopy can also be useful for performing certain treatments, such as stopping bleeding, stretching narrow sections of the esophagus, and removing polyps. If you have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), your provider may use an endoscope to perform transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF).

What happens during an upper endoscopy?

Upper endoscopy requires an intravenous sedative and a local anesthetic spray to numb your throat. You are sleepy and relaxed as your provider passes the endoscope down your throat and into your stomach.

As the endoscope goes down, your provider examines the images sent back by the camera and takes a biopsy (sample) of any abnormal tissues for laboratory analysis. A biopsy can confirm the presence of H. pylori infection – a common cause of stomach ulcers – and cancerous cells.

What happens after I have an upper endoscopy?

When your provider has all the information they need, they gently withdraw the endoscope. You then go to the recovery area until your sedative wears off, after which you should be able to go home.

Before you leave, your provider at GI Specialists of Houston, LLP, tells you what they found during your upper endoscopy and what needs to happen next. Biopsy results are usually back in a few days.

Find out more about the upper endoscopy procedure and how it could help you by calling GI Specialists of Houston, LLP, today or book an appointment online.