7 Ways an Upper Endoscopy Can Be Beneficial

The medical term for an upper endoscopy is esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). You may have an upper endoscopy done in your health care provider's office, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital.

Why It's Done

An upper endoscopy is used to diagnose and sometimes treat conditions that affect the upper part of the digestive system. The upper digestive system includes the esophagus, stomach, and beginning of the small intestine (duodenum).

Your provider may recommend an endoscopy procedure to:

• • Investigate symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal bleeding
• • Diagnose conditions like anemia, bleeding, inflammation, and diarrhea
• • Detect cancers of the upper digestive system
• • Take biopsy samples of abnormal tissue
• • Treat conditions such as bleeding from ulcers, esophageal varices, or polyps
• • Stretch narrowed areas of the esophagus (dilation)
• • Remove foreign objects or food stuck in the upper GI tract

An endoscopy is sometimes combined with other procedures, such as an ultrasound. An ultrasound probe may be attached to the endoscope to create images of the wall of your esophagus or stomach. Many endoscopes are used with technology called narrow band imaging, which uses special light to help better detect precancerous conditions, such as Barrett's esophagus.

Risks

An endoscopy is a very safe procedure. Rare complications include:

• • Bleeding (usually minor, often at a biopsy site)
• • Infection
• • Tearing of the gastrointestinal tract (perforation)

You can reduce your risk of complications by carefully following your health care provider's instructions for preparing for an endoscopy, such as fasting and stopping certain medications.

Symptoms That Could Mean a Complication

Symptoms to watch for after your endoscopy include:

• • Fever
• • Chest pain
• • Shortness of breath
• • Bloody, black, or very dark colored stool
• • Difficulty swallowing
• • Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• • Vomiting, especially if your vomit is bloody or looks like coffee grounds

Call your provider immediately or go to an emergency room if you experience any of these symptoms.

How You Prepare

Your provider will give you specific instructions to prepare for your endoscopy. You may be asked to:

• • Fast before the endoscopy — stop drinking and eating for a specified number of hours
• • Stop taking certain medications, including blood thinners

Tell your provider about all the medications and supplements you're taking before your endoscopy.

Plan Ahead for Your Recovery

Most people undergoing an upper endoscopy will receive a sedative to relax them and make them more comfortable during the procedure. Plan ahead for your recovery while the sedative wears off. You may feel alert, but your reaction times are affected and judgment is delayed — arrange for someone to drive you home.

What You Can Expect

During an Endoscopy

During an upper endoscopy procedure, you'll be asked to lie down on a table on your back or on your side. As the procedure gets underway:

• • Monitors are attached to your body to track breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate
• • You may receive a sedative through a vein in your forearm
• • A numbing spray may be used in the back of the throat
• • A mouth guard is placed to protect your teeth

You can't talk after the endoscope passes down your throat, though you can make noises. The endoscope doesn't interfere with your breathing. As the endoscope travels down your esophagus, a tiny camera transmits images to a monitor for Dr. Earl to examine. When the exam is finished, the endoscope is slowly retracted through your mouth. An endoscopy typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.

After the Endoscopy

You'll be taken to a recovery area to sit or lie quietly after your endoscopy. You may stay for an hour or so while the sedative begins to wear off. Once you're at home, you may experience some mildly uncomfortable symptoms after endoscopy, such as:

• • Bloating and gas
• • Cramping
• • Sore throat

These signs and symptoms will improve with time. Take it easy for the rest of the day after your endoscopy.

Results

When you receive the results of your endoscopy will depend on your situation. If the endoscopy was performed to look for an ulcer, you may learn the findings right after your procedure. If a biopsy was taken, results may take a few days.