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Upper endoscopy
Upper endoscopy enables the physician to look inside the esophagus,
stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). The
procedure might be used to discover the reason for swallowing
difficulties, nausea, vomiting, reflux, bleeding, indigestion,
abdominal pain, or chest pain. Upper endoscopy is also called EGD,
which stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
For the procedure you will swallow a thin, flexible, lighted tube
called an endoscope. Right before the procedure the
physician will spray your throat with a numbing agent that may help
prevent gagging. You may also receive pain medicine and a sedative to
help you relax during the exam. The endoscope transmits an image of
the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, so the physician
can carefully examine the lining of these organs. The scope also blows
air into the stomach; this expands the folds of tissue and makes it
easier for the physician to examine the stomach.
The physician can see abnormalities, like inflammation or bleeding,
through the endoscope that don't show up well on x rays. The physician
can also insert instruments into the scope to remove samples of tissue
(biopsy) for further tests or treat bleeding abnormalities.
Possible complications of upper endoscopy include bleeding and
puncture of the stomach lining. However, such complications are rare.
Most people will probably have nothing more than a mild sore throat
after the procedure.
The procedure takes 20 to 30 minutes. Because you will be sedated, you
will need to rest at the endoscopy facility for 1 to 2 hours until the
medication wears off.
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Preparation
Your stomach and duodenum must be empty for the procedure to be
thorough and safe, so you will not be able to eat or drink anything
for at least 6 hours beforehand. Also, you must arrange for someone to
take you home--you will not be allowed to drive because of the
sedatives. Your physician may give you other special instructions.
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