An upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at the interior lining of your esophagus, your stomach, and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum) through a thin, flexible viewing instrument called an endoscope. The tip of the endoscope is inserted through your mouth and then gently advanced down your throat into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (upper gastrointestinal tract).
Since the entire upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract can be examined during this test, the procedure is sometimes called esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).
Through the endoscope, your doctor can look for ulcers, inflammation, tumors, infection, or bleeding. The test can evaluate symptoms like pain, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing if they are persistent enough. Tissue samples can be collected (biopsy), polyps can be removed, and bleeding can be treated through the endoscope. Endoscopy can reveal problems that do not show up on X-ray tests, and it can sometimes eliminate the need for exploratory surgery.
Although complications are very rare following upper endoscopy, they can occur. Some of those may include:
If you experience any of the following symptoms after your upper endoscopy, you should contact your doctor at DHC immediately:
Each person will receive their results differently. You may receive the findings right after, or it may take up to a week if any biopsies were sent to a lab. Be sure to ask your doctor when you should expect these results.
DHC offers patients access to upper endoscopy (EGD) procedures at our Hillsborough, NJ office and surgical center. Our physicians will answer any and all questions you may have about the procedure and create a care plan that is personalized to you. To make your appointment, please call 908-218-9222.
At DHC, located in Hillsborough, Somerville, and Warren, NJ, our team of digestive health specialists puts each patient first. We diagnose and treat chronic and acute gastrointestinal conditions so our patients can live healthier and more comfortable lives. We will work with you to determine the cause of your symptoms and determine the best course of action for finding relief. To learn more about what we do or to schedule your appointment, please contact us today.