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Upper Endoscopy

The Digestive System
Upper 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

Upper endoscopy is also called EGD, which stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy - pronounced eh-SAH-fuh-goh-GAS-troh-doo-AH-duh-NAH-skuh-pee.

The digestive system with the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, large intestine, small intestine, appendix, rectum, and anus.

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

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References:
November 2004
digestive.niddk.nih.gov

The information discussed above is a general overview and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Other brand names or generic forms of this medicine may also be available. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information, your doctor or pharmacist has the complete prescribing information about this medicine and possible drug interactions.