Upper GI endoscopy (also referred to as endoscopy, gastroscopy, upper endoscopy, EGD or esophagogastroduod endoscopy). is a procedure in which a doctor uses an endoscope—a flexible tube with a camera—to see the lining of your upper gastro-intestinal (GI) tract.
Doctors use upper GI endoscopy to help diagnose and treat symptoms and conditions that affect the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine or duodenum.
Upper GI endoscopy can help find the cause of unexplained symptoms, such as
Upper GI endoscopy can be used to identify many different diseases:
Upper GI endoscopy can check for damage after a person eats or drinks harmful chemicals.
During upper GI endoscopy, a doctor obtains biopsies by passing an instrument through the endoscope to obtain a small piece of tissue for testing. Biopsies are needed to diagnose conditions such as
Doctors also use upper GI endoscopy to
Doctors are also starting to use upper GI endoscopy to perform weight loss procedures for some people with obesity.
A doctor performs an upper GI endoscopy in a hospital or an outpatient center. Before the procedure, you will likely get a sedative or a medicine to help you stay relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. The sedative will be given to you through an intravenous (IV) needle in your arm. In some cases, the procedure can be done without getting a sedative. You may also be given a liquid medicine to gargle or a spray to numb your throat and help prevent you from gagging during the procedure. The health care staff will monitor your vital signs and keep you as comfortable as possible.
You’ll be asked to lie on your side on an exam table. The doctor will carefully pass the endoscope down your esophagus and into your stomach and duodenum. A small camera mounted on the endoscope will send a video image to a monitor, allowing close examination of the lining of your upper GI tract. The endoscope pumps air into your stomach and duodenum, making them easier to see.
During the upper GI endoscopy, the doctor may
The procedure is quick and usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. The endoscope does not interfere with your breathing, and many people fall asleep during the procedure.
You should talk with your doctor about your medical history, including medical conditions and symptoms you have, allergies, and all prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take, including
You can take most medicines as usual, but you may need to adjust or stop some medicines for a short time before your upper GI endoscopy. Your doctor will tell you about any necessary changes to your medicines before the procedure.
For safety reasons, you can’t drive for 24 hours after the procedure, as the sedatives used during the procedure need time to wear off. You will need to make plans for getting a ride home after the procedure.
To see your upper GI tract clearly, your doctor will most likely ask you not to eat or drink up to 8 hours before the procedure.
Upper GI endoscopy is considered a safe procedure. The risks of complications from an upper GI endoscopy are low, but may include
Bleeding caused by the procedure often is minor and stops without treatment. Serious complications such as perforation are uncommon. Your doctor may need to perform surgery to treat some complications. Your doctor can also treat an abnormal reaction to a sedative with medicines or IV fluids during or after the procedure.
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