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An upper endoscopy (also known as an EGD or esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is a medical procedure in which an endoscope is used to observe the esophagus, stomach and upper part of the small intestine. The endoscope is a long, thin tube with a light and camera on the end. A medical provider navigates a flexible tube device down the esophagus and does a visual inspection.
Over 6 million upper endoscopies are performed each year in the US and are used for both diagnosis and treatment of varied digestive issues.
Common Uses of an Upper GI Endoscopy
Some of the most common conditions that an EGD can diagnose include:
- Peptic ulcers: These are sores found on the stomach lining. Bacterial infections and common medicines such as ibuprofen can reduce the protective mucus layer within the GI tract, allowing stomach acid to cause harm.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This condition occurs when stomach acid splashes onto the lower end of the esophagus. Known as acid reflux, it causes heartburn, chest pain, sore throat and other symptoms.
- Celiac Disease: This is an autoimmune disease, triggered by gluten, that can cause the body to harm the small intestine and create intestinal inflammation.
- Gastritis: This is an inflammation of the stomach lining. A variety of factors can cause this, with symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, heartburn and belching.
- Esophagitis: Like gastritis, it is inflammation of the esophagus, and can cause throat and stomach pain, as well as difficulty swallowing, particularly in the stomach and duodenum.
- Hiatal hernia: This is a medical issue in which part of the stomach bulges through the muscle diaphragm and into the chest and causes discomfort.
- Esophageal varices/strictures: A varice is an enlarged vein in the esophagus that can cause discomfort. A stricture is a narrowing of the esophagus. Food that passes through the stricture can be a source of discomfort, particularly affecting the stomach and duodenum.
What to Expect During an Upper EGD
The first step toward getting an upper endoscopy is preparation:
- Fasting: You’ll stop eating solid food the evening prior to your procedure.
- Liquids: You can drink clear liquids up to 4 hours before the endoscopy, but be sure to follow any specific instructions from your doctor.
- Medications: Blood thinners and other select medicines may need to be avoided the day prior to your procedure. Your medical provider would be able to provide the best guidance.
During the procedure, you will receive sedation to help you relax., so you can avoid any discomfort. Most endoscopies involve conscious (or moderate) sedation. Moderate sedation is the process where you will be drowsy and may not remember the procedure, but you are able to breathe on your own. Deep sedation is the process where you will be completely asleep during the procedure.
The provider will insert the endoscope through your mouth and down your esophagus and into the stomach and small intestine.
They will examine and look for abnormalities. They may also take tissue samples so that biopsies can be conducted. The procedure itself takes about 30 minutes.
After the procedure, you will be monitored in a recovery room while the sedation wears off. Recovering from moderate sedation can vary due to many personal factors, but on average, a patient should expect to be home within a few hours.
You will need to get a ride home with a responsible adult due to the fact that you may still be suffering the effects of sedation and should not be behind the wheel. After you are discharged, you may have a sore throat, so a soft food diet can be ideal, as well as avoiding strenuous activity for a day.
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Final Thoughts
Imagine if you had to have surgery to diagnose what stomach or esophageal ailment you may be suffering from. Put in that context, an upper endoscopy is an excellent, non-surgical alternative.
The process is low on discomfort, is relatively quick, is very unlikely to have complications, and is easy to recover from. With so many GI conditions, early diagnosis is key to better outcomes, particularly for digestive and kidney diseases. By understanding what an upper endoscopy is and what it can do, you can play an active role in making the best choice available for your digestive health.
