Upper Endoscopy (EGD)

An upper endoscopy is a procedure used to visually examine your upper digestive system (esophagus, stomach and part of the small intestine) with a tiny camera on the end of a long, flexible tube.

An EGD may be recommended by your provider to evaluate symptoms of such as:

• Upper abdominal pain
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Chronic acid reflux
• Difficulty swallowing
• Unexplained anemia
• Painful swallowing
• GERD
• Upper GI blood loss

An EGD can help in the detection of:

• Ulcers
• Hiatal Hernia
• Tumors/cancer
• Inflammation
• Upper GI diseases
• Narrowing of the esophagus

During the EGD the following can be performed:

• Tissue biopsy; that tissue will be sent to a pathology lab and evaluated for any infection or disease process
• Dilation of a narrowing in the upper digestive system
• Treatment of most bleeding found during the procedure
• Removal of polyps

Upper GI diseases that can be diagnosed and monitored after an EGD:

• Barrett’s Esophagus
• Celiac Sprue Disease
• Helicobacter Pylori
• Crohn’s Disease
• Cirrhosis
• Eosinophilic esophagitis