If an upper endoscopy is in your future, you may be wondering what to expect. This procedure is a safe and effective way for us to examine your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.
At Las Vegas Gastroenterology, board-certified gastroenterologists Noel Fajardo, MD and Filippo Cremonini, MD, use your upper endoscopy results to diagnose conditions like acid reflux, ulcers, Celiac disease, or unexplained digestive issues.
Knowing what happens before, during, and after endoscopy can help you feel more at ease.
If you have unexplained upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, you’ve likely sought gastroenterology care to pinpoint the source of your symptoms. That’s why an upper endoscopy (along with a medical history review) is often one of the first steps in diagnosing GI conditions.
Upper endoscopy — also known as an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) — looks at the upper part of your GI tract to determine why you have abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, or dark stools.
We provide specific instructions, but in most cases, you need to stop eating and drinking at least eight hours before the procedure. When you fast, your stomach is empty, which means we can get a clear view.
You may also need to adjust certain medications, especially if you take blood thinners or diabetes medications. But don’t adjust any medications unless we specifically tell you to do so.
An upper endoscopy is a quick outpatient procedure that usually takes 15-30 minutes. Here’s what you can expect:
You receive a sedative or anesthesia through an IV to help you relax during the procedure.
We gently guide a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) through your mouth and down your esophagus. The camera on the end sends images to a monitor, so we can examine your digestive tract.
If needed, we may take small tissue samples (biopsies) or treat issues like bleeding or abnormal growths. This can alter the duration of your procedure, so your endoscopy may be a little longer.
Immediately after your procedure, we move you to our recovery area. We discuss any preliminary findings with you, although your biopsy results (if applicable) may take a few days.
Since you’ll be sedated, you need someone to drive you home after the procedure. You may have a mild sore throat or bloating, but these symptoms should go away within a few hours.
Once we confirm the source of your symptoms, we recommend the right treatments for you. For example, if your upper endoscopy confirms that you have Celiac disease, we start you with dietary changes. If, on the other hand, you have a hiatal hernia, we might start you with medication or surgery.
If you have questions about your upcoming upper endoscopy, call our nearest Las Vegas, Nevada, location. To schedule an appointment to learn more about upper endoscopies or to discuss GI symptoms, book an appointment through our online portal or call us today.
