Upper Endoscopy
The Digestive SystemUpper endoscopy enables the physician to look inside the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum - duodenum is the 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
- Chest pain
The digestive system
For the procedure you will swallow a thin, flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope - pronounced EN-doh-skope. 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.
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.
For More Information
American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)
National Office
7910 Woodmont Avenue, 7th Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-654-2055
Fax: 301-654-5920
Email: members@gastro.org
Internet: www.gastro.org
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
Email: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov
References:
November 2004
digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/upperendoscopy/index.htm
| Proton Pump Inhibitors |
Aciphex - Rabeprazole
Prevacid - Lansoprazole
Prilosec - Omeprazole
Prilosec OCT
Protonix - Pantoprazole
| GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease |
Causes of GERD
Diet for GERD
Infant GERD
Children 1 - 11 Years Old
Medication for GERD
Symptoms of GERD
GERD Surgery
GERD Treatment
| Heartburn |
Causes of Heartburn
Symptoms of Heartburn
Heartburn Medications
Heartburn Remedy
| Articles |
Lump In Throat
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Remedies for GERD
| Partners |
Hair Removal
HGH