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WHAT IS UPPER ENDOSCOPY?
WHY IS THE UPPER ENDOSCOPY DONE?
WHAT PREPARATION IS REQUIRED?
WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED
DURING THE UPPER ENDOSCOPY?
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE UPPER
ENDOSCOPY?
WHAT ARE
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS OF UPPER ENDOSCOPY?
TO THE PATIENT.
WHAT IS UPPER ENDOSCOPY?
Upper endoscopy (also known as an upper GI endoscopy, EGD, or panendoscopy)
is a procedure that enables your physician to examine the lining of the upper
part of your gastrointestinal tract, i.e. the esophagus (swallowing tube),
stomach, and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine) using a thin
flexible tube with its own lens and light source.
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WHY IS THE UPPER ENDOSCOPY DONE?
Upper endoscopy is usually performed to evaluate symptoms of persistent upper
abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing. It is also the best
test for finding the cause of bleeding from the upper gastointestinal tract.
Upper endoscopy is more accurate than X-rays for detecting inflammation,
ulcers, or tumors of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.
This is particularly true when there has been a major operation on the upper
gastrointestinal tract. Upper endoscopy can detect early cancer and can
distinguish between benign and malignant (cancer) conditions by performing
biopsies (taking small tissue samples) of suspicious areas. Biopsies are taken
for many reasons and do not necessarily mean that cancer is suspected.
Upper endoscopy is also used to treat conditions present in the upper
gastrointestinal tract. A variety of instruments can be passed through the
endoscope that allow many abnormalities to be treated directly with little or no
discomfort, for example, stretching narrowed areas, removing polyps (usually
benign growths) or swallowed objects, or treating upper gastrointestinal
bleeding. Safe and effective endoscopic control of bleeding has reduced the need
for transfusions and surgery in many patients.
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WHAT PREPARATION IS REQUIRED?
For the best (and safest) examination, the stomach must be completely empty.
You should
have nothing to eat or drink, including water, for approximately 6 hours before
the
examination. Your doctor will be more specific about the time to begin fasting,
depending on
the time of day your test is scheduled
Possible medication adjustments:
Before the test, be sure to discuss with the doctor whether you should adjust
any of your
usual medications before the procedure, any drug allergies you may have, and
whether you
have any other major diseases such as heart or lung condition that might require
special
attention during the procedure.
Arrangements to get home after the test:
If you are sedated, you will need to arrange to have someone accompany you home
from the
examination because sedatives may affect your judgment and reflexes for the rest
of the
day. If you received sedation, you will not be allowed to drive after the
procedure even
though you may not feel tired.
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WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED
DURING UPPER ENDOSCOPY?
Your doctor will review with you why upper endoscopy is being performed,
whether any
alternative tests are available, and any possible complications from the
procedure.
Practices may vary among doctors, but you may have your throat sprayed with a
local
anesthetic before the test begins and may be given medication through a vein to
help you
relax during the test. While you are in a comfortable position on your side, the
endoscope
is passed through the mouth and then in turn through the esophagus, stomach, and
duodenum.
The endoscope does not interfere with your breathing during the test. Most
patients consider
the test to be only slightly uncomfortable and many patients fall asleep during
the
procedure.
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WHAT HAPPENS AFTER UPPER
ENDOSCOPY?
After the test you will be monitored in the endoscopy area until most of the
effects of
the medication has worn off. Your throat may be a little sore for awhile, and
you may feel
bloated right after the procedure because of the air introduced into your
stomach during the
test. You will be able to resume your diet after you leave the procedure area
unless you are
instructed otherwise.
In most circumstances your doctor can inform you of your test results on the
day of the
procedure, however, the results of any biopsies or cytology samples taken will
take 5 to 7
days.
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WHAT ARE
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS OF UPPER ENDOSCOPY?
Endoscopy is safe. Complications can occur, but are rare when the test is
performed by
physicians with specialized training and experience in the procedure. Bleeding
may occur
from a biopsy site or where a polyp was removed. It is usually minimal and
rarely requires
blood transfusions or surgery. Localized irritation of the vein where medication
was injected
may cause a tender lump lasting lasting for several weeks, but this will go away
eventually. Applying hot packs or hot moist towels may help relieve discomfort.
Other
potential risks include a reaction to the sedatives used and complications from
heart or
lung diseases. Major complications, e.g. perforation (a tear that might require
surgery for
repair) are very uncommon, they occur less than once in 10,000 tests.
It is important for you to recognize early signs of any possible
complication. If you
begin to run a fever after the test, begin to have trouble swallowing, or have
increasing
throat, chest, or abdominal pain, let your doctor know about it promptly.
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TO THE PATIENT
Because education is an important part of comprehensive medical care, you
have been
provided with this information to prepare you for this procedure. If you have
questions
about your need for upper endoscopy, alternative tests, the cost of the
procedure, methods
of billing, or insurance coverage, do not hesitate to speak to our office staff.
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