An upper endoscopy — officially known as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) — is a minimally invasive procedure that allows Noel R. Fajardo, MD, or Filippo Cremonini, MD, PhD, MSc, to examine the upper part of your digestive system.
If our Las Vegas Gastroenterology team has recommended one for you, you’re not alone. Each year 6.1 million upper endoscopies are performed.
Take a moment to learn more about upper endoscopies and why you might need one.
During this procedure, we insert a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera (called an endoscope) through your mouth and guide it down your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum).
This provides a close-up view of your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Upper endoscopies allow our team here at Las Vegas Gastroenterology to diagnose conditions, and depending on the issue, treat it at the same time.
We may recommend an upper endoscopy for a range of digestive symptoms or conditions that we can’t adequately diagnose with imaging tests alone.
Common reasons for an upper endoscopy include:
If you have ongoing symptoms like heartburn, nausea, excessive vomiting, vomiting blood, abdominal pain, or difficulty swallowing, an upper endoscopy can help identify the underlying cause.
You might also need an endoscopy if you have swallowing difficulties, chest pain, or unexplained anemia.
An upper endoscopy can help diagnose the source of these symptoms. Hiatal hernia, acid reflux, celiac disease, ulcers, and esophageal varices can all be confirmed through endoscopy.
For severe or persistent GERD symptoms, an upper endoscopy allows our team doctors to check for complications like esophageal inflammation or Barrett’s esophagus.
Barrett’s esophagus is a precancerous condition, so it’s important to know if you have it. If needed, we can perform a biopsy at this time. Biopsies can determine if you have cellular changes — described as no dysplasia, low-grade dysplasia, or high-grade dysplasia. This information shapes your treatment plan.
Not only can we perform a biopsy during an upper endoscopy but we can also perform some treatments.
For example, if you do have Barrett’s esophagus, you can receive cryotherapy (just one of many treatment options) through an endoscope. The cold temperatures freeze and damage the abnormal cells.
If we suspect ulcers, infections, or conditions like celiac disease, an endoscopy allows our team of doctors to visualize and, if necessary, take a biopsy for further analysis.
Both of these conditions can sometimes be associated with gastrointestinal disorders, and an endoscopy can help determine if there’s an issue in your upper GI tract that might be contributing.
You receive anesthesia (propofol) under the close care of the anesthesiologist physician, then you lie on your side while we gently insert the endoscope. You will not feel any discomfort as you will be asleep during the procedure.
Once the camera is in place, we examine your esophagus, your stomach, and your duodenum (the upper part of your small intestine).
If we need to perform any biopsies, we insert special tools to take a small sample. The procedure usually takes less than 15 minutes.
Following the procedure, you may experience a mild sore throat, but this typically subsides within a day. You might also feel gassy or bloated. Plan on a friend or family member driving you home, because the sedative takes some time to wear off.
What comes next depends on the results of your upper endoscopy. For example, if your results indicate that you have celiac disease, your next step would be to modify your diet.
Do you have questions? Call either of our Las Vegas, Nevada, locations to learn more about upper endoscopies or to schedule a consultation with our award-winning team. Or simply use our online scheduling system to request an appointment.
