Heartburn that won’t go away, trouble swallowing, nausea, or upper abdominal pain can make it hard to enjoy meals and feel comfortable throughout the day. If your symptoms aren’t improving or treatment hasn’t helped, your doctor may recommend an EGD to look for the cause.
An EGD, also called an upper endoscopy, is a procedure that lets your gastroenterologist examine the lining of your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine. It can help diagnose several digestive conditions and guide the next steps in your care.
During an EGD, your gastroenterologist uses a thin, flexible tube with a small camera and light on the end to examine three parts of your upper digestive tract:
This allows your doctor to look for signs of inflammation, bleeding, ulcers, or other problems that may be causing your symptoms.
An upper endoscopy is a common procedure used to find the cause of digestive symptoms. Your doctor may recommend an EGD if you have:
In some cases, your doctor may recommend an EGD after abnormal blood work, such as unexplained anemia, or if imaging shows a possible problem.
Doctors don’t always know what’s causing digestive symptoms. An EGD lets them look inside your digestive tract and find the cause.
An EGD can help diagnose several conditions that affect the upper digestive tract, including:
In some cases, the exam shows that everything looks normal. This is still helpful because it helps your doctor rule out serious conditions and decide what to do next.
An EGD can find abnormal areas in the digestive tract that may need more testing. If your doctor notices anything unusual, they may take a biopsy. A biopsy is a very small tissue sample collected painlessly during the procedure and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Taking a biopsy is common during an EGD and doesn’t necessarily mean your doctor suspects cancer. Biopsies are taken to check for:
They can also help diagnose conditions that can’t be confirmed by looking at the tissue alone.
Preparing for your EGD helps your doctor get the clearest view possible and keeps the procedure safe.
Your stomach must be completely empty so your doctor has a clear view of the lining. You’ll likely be asked not to eat or drink after midnight before a morning procedure. Your doctor will give you specific instructions based on your appointment time.
Some medicines may need to be adjusted before your procedure, including:
Your doctor will tell you which medications to take, which ones to stop, and when to make those changes.
Before your EGD begins, a nurse will place an IV so you can receive medication to help you relax. It willl help you feel relaxed, and you probably won’t remember the procedure afterward.
Your gastroenterologist will guide the endoscope through your mouth and into your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The camera sends images to a monitor so your doctor can examine each area closely. If your doctor needs to take a biopsy or treat a problem, they can often do it during the same procedure.
The examination itself usually takes less than 30 minutes.
You will rest in a recovery area while the sedation wears off, and you’ll need someone to drive you home. Mild side effects, such as a sore throat or bloating, are common and usually go away quickly.
Yes. One benefit of an EGD is that it can diagnose and treat some problems during the same procedure. If your gastroenterologist finds a condition that can be treated, they may be able to address it right away. This can include:
Serious complications are uncommon. Risks of an EGD include:
Your doctor will discuss these risks with you and answer any questions before the procedure.
If you’ve been dealing with ongoing digestive symptoms, an EGD may help your doctor find the cause. An EGD is a quick, commonly performed procedure that can help diagnose digestive problems and guide treatment.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that may require an EGD in San Antonio, schedule an appointment with Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio. We can evaluate your symptoms, answer your questions, and determine whether an upper endoscopy is right for you.
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